Serial killers have long eluded law enforcement while attracting public attention, and now more than ever, criminal psychologists are beginning to understand what makes a serial killer. In his true-crime documentary, In Cold Blood, Truman Capote describes the gruesome murders of four members of the Clutter family and the search for the criminals responsible for the deaths. Eventually, two killers are arrested, one being Perry Smith, a detached and emotionless man. And although his Clutters carnage qualified him as a mass murderer, many of Perry's personality traits are characteristic of a serial killer. In fact, if the detectives hadn't arrested him, Perry could have easily become a serial killer. Because the term "serial killer" was not coined until the early 1970s (Gustainis), Perry would not actually have that title; however, he would have followed typical patterns of what the world today calls a serial killer. Although they are often confused with other types of murder, serial killers are quite unique in that they target many unknown, but often similar, victims over a period of time (Mulick). In Capote's novel, Perry had never met the Clutters; they were strangers, unfortunate victims of his cruel crime (Capote 283). Additionally, the stereotype of male serial killers, which Perry would fall into, is actually generally accurate, as only 14% of all serial killers are female (Crime and Punishment). Not only was Perry Smith a man who had massacred a family of complete strangers, but he also exhibited clear signs of mental illness (Capote 366), a characteristic common to even the best serial killers (Forensic Science 563). Perry had the potential to become a prolific serial killer; the only thing between him and...... middle of paper ......nce Library. Internet. April 22, 2011. “Psychopathic Personality Disorder.” Forensic Science World. Vol.2. 2005. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. April 22, 2011. Rosie, DiManno. “Prostitutes suffer under ‘sinister’ law.” Toronto Star. EBSCO. Internet. April 8, 2011. “Serial Killers and Mass Murderers.” American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman et al. Flight. 9: 1980-1989. Detroit: Gale, 2001. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. April 22, 2011. “Violent Crime: Crime Against a Person.” Reference Library on Crime and Punishment in America. Ed. Richard C. Hanes et al. Flight. 1: Almanac, Volume 1. Detroit: UXL, 2005. 59-74. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. April 22. 2011.