The concept of serial killers is one that invokes a mixture of powerful emotions — terror, revulsion, and morbid fascination. The statistical likelihood of ever encountering one of these murderous individuals is very low, but if you do encounter one, you may never realize it. They're some of the ultimate examples of wolves in sheep's clothing, and many of them are textbook psychopaths who are experts in deception. Much of society's fascination with serial killers, as illustrated by countless movies and TV series about them, is a byproduct of a desire to understand these criminals, since we feel more prepared to defend against something we have studied and analyzed. The following infographics provide snippets of information on the deadliest serial killers in America and the world as a whole — a total of nearly 100 individuals.

America's Deadliest Serial Killers

First, this infographic from Security Baron lists the most prolific serial killer in every state. It includes details on the time frame of their crimes, the number of victims, the methods they used, and the sentences they received (for those who were caught). Although most serial killers are men, their other characteristics — such as age, race, profession, and motive — vary widely. Some claimed their killings were an act of mercy, while others openly reveled in the suffering of their victims.

The World's 50 Most Prolific Serial Killers

The next infographic from SmartAdvocate takes a look at 50 of the world's deadliest serial killers. Yet again, we see both men and women with a variety of professions and motivations. A handful of these names, such as Ted Bundy and John Wayne Gacy, are repeated from the previous graphic. In total, eight of the 50 serial killers committed crimes in the United States.

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Written by Patrick McCarthy