The psychological phases of a serial killer: an analysis of Peter Tobin.

The process of serial killing typically follows a series of psychological and behavioural phases. While the exact progression can vary among different serial killers, criminologists and psychologists have identified common phases that many serial killers go through. Here at the Scottish True Crime blog, I take a look at the typical phases observed in serial killers with reference to convicted Scottish serial killer, Peter Tobin.

Born in Johnstone of Renfrewshire, Scotland, in 1946, Tobin’s criminal activities came to light after his arrest in 2006 for the rape and murder of Angelika Kluk, a Polish student who had been staying in a room in St Patrick’s church where Tobin volunteered. Subsequent investigations linked him to the murders of Vicky Hamilton and Dinah McNicol, both of whom disappeared in 1991. Their bodies were found buried just metres from each other in the garden of a house Tobin had lived in at the time of their disappearances. His modus operandi involved gaining the trust of his victims before subjecting them to extreme violence and sexual assault, ending in their deaths. Tobin died in October 2022 in hospital chained to a bed and alone. No one came forward to claim his remains and so he was cremated and dumped at sea by Edinburgh City Council. Lets take a look at the psychological phases of a serial killer: