Southern New Hampshire University
Tai-Yana Lucke
PSY 310 Serial Murderer
July 26, 2022
PROFILE
Frank Timmons, at the time of the murders, is a 40-year-old "lighter-skinned" black male
Frank married, bought a home, and became a construction worker after serving 13 years in
prison for abducting and robbing a woman. Frank grew up in a low-income family and was a
high school dropout. Many biological factors play a part in Frank Timmons's case.
A biological factor I believe played a part in the outcome of Frank Timmons's life are low
intelligence, high cortisol or testosterone, poor diet, and even environmental pollutants. I assume
Frank has low intelligence because it doesn't seem like he came from a family with the means
necessary to provide specific resources. They were poor with dead-end jobs, and Frank had to
drop out to help provide.
He is a male with higher testosterone levels, making him more aggressive and less likely
to control his impulsions. I'm assuming the family may have a poor diet being poor and they live
in a city, which can contribute to environmental pollutants.
According to the article, Biological Risk Factors for Involvement in Crime, "all of these are risk
factors that could contribute to a person's biological propensity for criminal or antisocial
behavior" (Biological Risk Factors for Involvement in Crime., 2009)
Developmentally Timmons had a rough childhood with parents who weren't the most
involved and even abusive. I believe Frank Timmons's youth has made the most significant
impact on the man he is today. Timmons's mother passed away very young, leaving him to be
raised by his alcoholic, verbally abusive father. Not only was his father a stressor in Timmons's
life, but his older sister Margaret took the role of his mother. Margaret was believed to have been
sexually abusive to some younger siblings, including Timmons. Chronic childhood trauma can
lead to several mental health issues. The Australian Psychological Society tells us how childhood
trauma can shape our mental health as adults.
psychological and behavioral problems later in life. Higher rates of depression, suicidality
anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and aggressive behavior have been reported in
adults who experienced childhood maltreatment. Traumatic childhood events also contribute to
increased drug use and dependence. Drug-taking behavior begins at a much younger age in those
who've experienced childhood trauma. Exposure to stressful events in childhood can increase the
impact of stressful events throughout life. Add divorce or unemployment to childhood trauma,
and someone can be more likely to develop psychological disorders or addiction"(Baracz, 2017).
Environmental factors are another thing to consider when discussing Franks's upbringing
and the connections between his childhood and his actions today. Frank grew up poor, and his
family had to rely on government benefits. He assumed that his family was like any other with
benefits and needed to stretch their budget regarding food. Timmons family may have bought
healthier options. His family was on extensive family leave, giving me the assumption he didn't
have much space or as many resources