[Doomsday]

I've been watching the show Hannibal and I've see the Hannibal movies. So I'm just curious is it possible for a person as sick and twisted as Hannibal to really work among people trained to profile serial killers and still go undetected? Part of me thinks it's possible but another part of me considers the amount psych tests they probably go under and at the same time the training they have involved with profiling reading the possible signs.

Then again if someone whose as unstable as Hannibal and as cunning received the same training he or she would probably be able hide their true nature even better.

[Poppy Princess]

I don't know lol maybe. There's Dexter too.

[A_Space_Between]

Coincidentally, I just came home from my class on serial murder.

As to whether or not a serial killer would make a good profiler...I suppose you could say that some of them profile their victims, in a way. It's also not impossible to fake psychiatric/psychological tests. So I suppose if a serial killer could figure out the right responses...

Random Trivia: apparently the Criminal Minds character Jason Gideon was based on John Douglas. John E. Douglas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Grey Matter]

I could see it being an easy possibility. Hannibal (I watched the show, loved it, it follows Red Dragon wonderfully) is a professional manipulator. He tends to go for who he feels are "weak" or too unwell to realize. For instance, [POSSIBLE SPOILERS BELLOW]

his "friendship" with Will Graham. His near parenting of Abigail Hobbs. These are two characters who have gone through severe traumas, and one who happens to have a chronic illness that Hannibal manipulates the doctor out of telling Will.

I don't view Hannibal as unstable, really. He holds himself together very well. The one time you see him snap is when credit for his murders is given to another, and it's for a very short period of time. You see the same characteristics in Dexter. He holds a job within the criminal field, where he feels comfortable, and can control his impulses by applying his killings to a higher moral standing to others. He has certain people who praise what he does with "cleansing" the population, and it gives him drive to remain secretive. They are both extremely organized and consistent

I didn't know that random trivia! I love that show.

[Neptune83]

Originally Posted by Poppy Princess

I don't know lol maybe. There's Dexter too.

I love Dexter!

I think it's entirely possible. I've read a lot on various serial killers and some of them are/were incredibly clever, highly intelligent people.
Of course, if trained like Dexter, they'd have all the knowledge behind them to cover up their crimes. But, I don't think there are many out there like this though. Perhaps shows like those mentioned highlight this fact and they are more careful, I don't know. But I doubt there are many at all in real life, thankfully! Saying that though, where Dexter is concerned, I'm wondering whether that would be such a bad thing. He only rids the earth of murderers. Sure, that makes him one himself, but he doesn't go after innocent people. Only the bad guys.

[Doomsday]

Originally Posted by Neptune83

I love Dexter!

I think it's entirely possible. I've read a lot on various serial killers and some of them are/were incredibly clever, highly intelligent people.
Of course, if trained like Dexter, they'd have all the knowledge behind them to cover up their crimes. But, I don't think there are many out there like this though. Perhaps shows like those mentioned highlight this fact and they are more careful, I don't know. But I doubt there are many at all in real life, thankfully! Saying that though, where Dexter is concerned, I'm wondering whether that would be such a bad thing. He only rids the earth of murderers. Sure, that makes him one himself, but he doesn't go after innocent people. Only the bad guys.

Dexter would be screwed if he met Hannibal though lol. I mean Hannibal killed an agent who tracked him down he snuck up behind her and killed her without a sound. Well I've only season 1 so I can't judge but I'm pretty sure it's even.

[Neptune83]

Haha I'm afraid I cannot comment, I've not watched Hannibal but I'm intrigued now. But then, Dexter is sneaky too

[Poppy Princess]

The closest thing I can think of is that Ted Bundy faked being a cop to attract a lot of his victims. He was also his own lawer in court.

[saturnssecret]

I know that sociopaths and other criminals can be cunning, deceiving and sadly, some of those have carried the badge in the past. Very few can pass the system sadly. Some of the best criminals are the ones that you would least suspect. Eventually, they will leave some kind of "trace" and eventually get caught. Good question!

[Neptune83]

Originally Posted by Poppy Princess

The closest thing I can think of is that Ted Bundy faked being a cop to attract a lot of his victims. He was also his own lawer in court.

Yes, I read about him a lot. He was very clever, escaped from prison too and was studying law. I think though him representing himself in court was a bad idea. I'm not sure how I feel about the death sentence, but he definitely belonged behind bars.