fleudenola, serial killer's patterns and methods of body disposal, are as many, and as varied, as there are serial killers. From freezers, as in cannibal J. Dahlmer's case, to dumpsters, shallow graves, burn pits, cemeteries, abandoned structures, in their residence - attics/basements, staging near churches, wetlands, forests, side of the road, and the list is endless. Many take souvenirs to relive their crimes. Bundy & many others kept skulls as souvenirs.
There have been many serial killers prior for them to learn from and most hone their skills with each victim preyed upon.
The FBI BAU estimates that there are 50 active serial killers in the US at any one time. IMO, these numbers are very conservative due to many factors.
Due to upgrades in forensic technology , FBI BAU VICAP, CODIS, communication/aware public, etc., many of these serial predators will be identified and apprehended much quicker than in the past.
http://newsinfo.iu.edu/web/page/normal/7225.html
Serial killers may be responsible for up to 10 times as many U.S. deaths as previously estimated, according to an analysis by a criminologist at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Recent academic estimates of the average number of serial killer victims each year range from 67 to 180. Quinet's analysis, based on conservative extrapolations from existing data, would add at least 182 and possibly as many 1,832 victims.
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