1-2 Journal: Topic Selection -- Serial Murderer
Mackenzie Peterson
PSY 310: Criminal Psychology
July 4,2021
Topic Selection
The topic that I chose is Serial Murderer because the mental state and motivations of serial
murderers is intriguing to me. I also enjoy crime documentaries and shows like Criminal Minds
and am curious to see how fictional criminals relate to reality. I am curious to explore the various
aspects that goes into a murderer's decision-making process. It is interesting to see how
environmental, social, and psychological factors shape the different motives of serial murderers.
Crime Type
Frank Timmons is a serial murderer who also committed prior crimes such as robbery, abduction,
sexual assault, trespassing, and driving under the influence. The focus of the case is Serial
Murder, with a total of 9 murders and sexual assaults of young women, as young as 12, over the
course of a year. It is said that his victims were taken from public areas, and some crimes were
committed using a ruse or disguise. The murders were described as brutal, and often ending with
Timmons shooting his victims in the head. Timmons was also linked to the sexual assault of two
sisters by DNA evidence.
Motivational Factors
Given that Timmon's victims were all women, could be related to the lack of a woman figure in
his childhood. It is stated that his mother died when he was 12, but prior to her death, she was
absent. This left his eldest sister, Margaret to care for him. Margaret's stability and possibility of
sexual abuse perpetrated by her was questioned by the other siblings. Timmon's parents divorced
when he was young, and his father is described as verbally abusive and an alcoholic. Frank
Timmon's relationship with his girlfriend had issues as they often fought and were seeking
counseling. His unstable upbringing and current relationship issues could contribute to his anger
Frank's hardships with women could explain his choice of victims