Science

Why Do Murderers Stick to Mathematical Pattern Known as the ‘Devil’s Staircase’?

Researchers Link Serial Killer Murders to Mathematical Formula, the Devils Staircase

Andrei Chikatilo (Image: Crime Life)

Researchers reviewing the famous Russian serial killer “Rostov Ripper”, who committed 53 murders, found that behavior of murderers may adhere to a pretty strict mathematical formula, suggesting that police could someday predict when another strike could occur.

The Daily Mail reports that Mikhail Simki and Vwani Roychowdhury from the University of California, Los Angeles believe that Andrei Chikatilo’s killings adhered to a mathematical formula called the “Devil’s Staircase.” They theorize that a killer sticks to this formula because of abnormal neural firings in their brains.

The Daily Mail explains further:

Killers are more likely to strike again directly after a murder, and their “murder probability” falls during long quiet periods — but it adheres to a broadly predictable pattern of killings.

The researchers think that the neural impulse to kill overwhelms the killer even after the “sedative” effect of killing — leading to ‘bursts’ of murderous activity.

[...]

“The probability of a new murder is significantly higher immediately after murder and is significantly lower when long time has passed since the last murder,” said the researchers.

Live Science (via Fox News) explains that the brain firing just one neuron results in a cascade of other neural firings, which if it exceeds the usually small threshold in a normal brain could induce abnormal behavior. In epileptics, this extreme amount of neural firing can result in seizures, for example:

James Fallon, a neuroscientist at UC Irvine who studies the brains of psychopaths, said the new findings are well-aligned with prior observations about serial killers, many of whom seem to behave similarly to drug addicts. In both cases, Fallon said, withdrawal from their addiction “builds and builds and then hits a threshold trigger point, after which they go on a spree to release that ‘longing.’”

The Daily Mail reports that the shortest time between Chikatilo’s 1970 through 1990 murders was three days and the longest stretch was 986 days.

Another killer reviewed Peter Sutcliffe, or the Yorkshire Ripper, exhibited similar “rapid fire” killings with long stretches in between, leading researchers to think he was experiencing neurological “surges” as well, according to the Daily Mail.

Researchers Link Serial Killer Murders to Mathematical Formula, the Devils Staircase

Researchers found that the pattern of serial killers produces a graph that holds a similar pattern to a mathematical formula whose graph is known as the Devil's Staircase. (Image via Daily Mail)

The researchers acknowledge that prediction measurements need to be refined, but in doing so, they believe it could improve prediction capabilities for law enforcement tracking serial killers.

But, Live Science reports Amanda Pustilnik, an assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Law, as saying that issues such as psychotic neural firings that caused the subject to murder others is not a case for innocence in court, although it could be used for a more lenient sentence.

Comments (88)

1 2
  • chdorb
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:14am

    @spankdamonkey LMAO.

    Report Post »  
    • teamarcheson
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:39am

      Its not their fault. Maybe we can use these killers to execute other killers. Put two of them in a room and lets see what happens.

      Report Post »  
    • DoughyInTheMiddle
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 5:09pm

      @Teamarcheson: There’s always that old George Carline idea where you put all the deviants out west somewhere (“in the square states”) and give them the whole state to live their lives, all penned in. Rapists, murderers, pedophiles, all the worst-of-the-worst, each group gets their own state. Then, once a year, you open a gate that allows passage from one area to the next…and sell vids of it on pay-per-view.

      Report Post » DoughyInTheMiddle  
    • squirrel
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:18pm

      Hey Doughy. Personally I believe Manhattan would make a much better prison. Far easier to enclose and guard and most of the rest of the country could care less about what happens there anyway. Hell we could even leave Bloomberg in charge.

      Report Post » squirrel  
    • Icnivad
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:56pm

      It‘s frightening that the murder rates of serial killers don’t go down. At all. EVER.

      Report Post »  
    • TeaPartyGoth97
      Posted on January 20, 2012 at 12:35pm

      @ teamarcheson
      Dexter, much? I’m a fan. and it is their fault. but i like the idea.

      Report Post » TeaPartyGoth97  
  • DieBambi
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:14am

    I can hear it now, “don’t judge me. I was born this way.” Except there is evidence now that serial killers were born that way. No evidence to support other deviant behavior.

    Report Post » DieBambi  
  • bets
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:40am

    Sounds like a movie I watched about a guy imprisoned prior to him committing a crime. Because science said that that is the crime he would do. This also sounds like science trying to get rid of the idea of good and evil and replace it with illness. Drug addicts know that what they are doing is wrong and that robbing people to get their money is wrong. Same as these killers they know it is wrong. Man can CHOOSE to be good or evil do right or wrong.

    Report Post »  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:56am

      Right on the money.

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
    • SgtB
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:23am

      Your assumption that using drugs is “wrong” is based upon your own opinion and morals. To many people, drugs are seen not as an evil thing, but as a recreational thing.

      Lest people here start to think I’m a druggie, let me explain that I am a Marine Corps veteran and the only drugs that I’ve ever taken were alcohol and second hand nicotine. And I don’t drink alcohol to get drunk either. In 5 years of service, I was drunk one time at a Marine Ball and I got drunk at my brother’s birthday party making a total of 2 times that I have been drunk. So I am not a drug addict, nor do I feel the need to go out and try drugs.

      What is wrong is when people (on drugs or not) take away the rights of others. Either through theft, murder, rape, coercion, or any other myriad of activities that infringe upon your rights. The act of doing drugs is not in and of itself harmful to others. You may make the argument that it is bad for society because of medical conditions it causes or the loss of productivity that follows. But I have to ask you whether you have the right to be partaking in social engineering projects. Also, what would drug addicts be doing on a daily basis if they could buy their drugs legally over a counter instead of having to walk a back alley somewhere and possibly wind up the victim of a rape or homicide? My bet is that they would do what millions of alcoholics and smokers do every day. They would go to work, come home, use their drugs, and go to bed.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • rdietz7
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:38am

      SGTB you never had your life negatively impacted by a person addicted to drugs?
      Drugs destroy the addict and anyone else around them (mainly untrained family members)

      You don’t even have to personally experience this to be able to rationalize how horrible drug addiction is.

      Report Post » rdietz7  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:45am

      @ sgtb…
      While I agree w your premise, I have to ask you…

      When he can buy them legally, And is addicted, will he still go to work?
      Will he earn enough to support his addiction? When he is out of money, how will he support his habit or addiction? Will crime likely increase?
      Food for thought.

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • PowerPC
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:00pm

      rdietz7 I have seen a lot of people affected by the most deadly drug on the planet. Especially innocent people….That drug is alchohol and it is legal in all 50 states and likely kills more people than all the other drugs combined when you consider disease caused by the alcohol and the innocent drivers killed by people drinking and driving. I have had my life altered by an alcoholic as has my wife. If you read the history books you will see how insane this nation went during prohibition. Murders in broad daylight. People ignoring the law and the wrong people making the money off of that evil drug. It is exactly what is happening with marijuana and other drugs in our lifetime.

      Report Post » PowerPC  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:40am

    .
    The Daily Mail explains further:

    Obama is more likely to strike again directly after Screwing America, and his “America Screwing” falls during long quiet periods like vacation — but it adheres to a broadly predictable pattern of Screwing.

    The researchers think that the neural impulse to Screw Americans in the Obama even after the “sedative” effect of Screwing Millions — leading to ‘bursts’ of murderous Screwing activity

    Somebody send him a condom………..

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:32am

      We should insist on a kiss and a little foreplay, maybe some KY Jelly?
      You see, Obumbler doesn’t plan these things while he is on vacation (it would get in the way with his golf), Valerie sets them up and writes his speech for him, all he has to do is mind his handlers.

      OMG

      Report Post »  
    • epeele
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:01am

      That’s what happens when you lead from behind.

      Report Post » epeele  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:34am

      I believe this… before my wife went through menopause I could count the days until she would grow horns…I went on lockdown in my man cave on those days…

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:44am

      Obama likes to lead from behind… Just ask REGGIE LOVE… aka the presidents body man…

      Report Post »  
    • AZDude
      Posted on January 21, 2012 at 9:58pm

      Too Bad Obama’s Mom did NOT have the FREE BIRTH CONTROL

      Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:22am

    Duh, they are inspired by SATAN?

    Report Post » mikee1  
    • Cesium
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 11:46am

      good enough answer for most people commenting on The Blaze

      Report Post »  
    • beckwasfox
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 5:38pm

      I wouldn’t use the word inpired. God inspires, Satan prods. At any rate, the behavior described could also describe a drug addict or internet troll like Cesium. It’s all compulsive behavior.

      Report Post » beckwasfox  
  • sbenard
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:14am

    There would be NO lag time between murders if we would capture them and execute them first.

    I can’t believe that people spend good money studying such absurdities! We are constantly learning, but never arriving at the truth! I can’t help but think that taxpayers probably funded this “research”.

    Report Post » sbenard  
    • loriann12
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:36am

      I was wondering if this study would lead to a plea bargain for murderers; my neurons off-firing made me do it, I’m not responsible. Who cares WHY they do it? Catch them and (after proving it, should be easy with our forensics) kill them so they can’t do it again. I have epilepsy (my brain mis-fires) and I don’t murder.

      Report Post »  
    • miljr11
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 6:39am

      God Bless Texas.
      But, I have thought we can be rather slow in retribution too. DNA evidence should have accelerated the overall process. As well made it more accurate.

      Report Post »  
  • bates8963
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:20am

    Great set of posts…….. just funnier than hell!! Good job guys… I mean really…. that read was fun…

    Report Post »  
  • Karama
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 3:24am

    You know I really wonder what the real motives for scientists to put out this kind of thing is. They seem hell bent on making excuses for all the bad behaviors in the world so that no one has to take responsibility. I wonder why that is? Does it make it easier for them to excuse their own bad behavior? Or do they think a world where nothing is ever considered wrong will be a great place to live?
    Murder to woman’s husband: Hey I just raped and brutally killed your wife sorry man I can’t help it.
    Husband: Na it’s ok I just robbed your house and you now have aids because my wife was a prostitute. But it‘s all good we couldn’t help it. Let’s hug. (grotesque make out session ensues)

    I really don’t think I want to live in a world where morality is long gone and there is no consequence for evil.

    Report Post » Karama  
  • Californiasodbuster
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 3:19am

    Mathematically speaking, if i had a nickel for every liberal commie that i thought should be dead, or murdered, i would be very wealthy.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 4:18am

      you can think it but should never print it. Ask Dr. Ron about his racist newsletter.
      Not Good…..

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • jand777
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:20am

    Serial killers are, for the most part, are devoid of emotion. All of them do not feel or understand empathy. They find that killing someone is the only thing that excites them or gives them pleasure. This is what they are…period. This may help law enforcement catch then faster. Their pattern of behavior started when they were very young and they have learned to hide and blend in. Most have high IQs and think they will never be caught. At any given time the FBI believes there are 200 serial killers that are active. They should all get the death penalty when caught, tried and convicted no exceptions. Our tax dollars, yours and mine, state or federal should not be wasted keeping these monsters alive. I believe if you are convicted of murder and there is DNA or video evidence you go to the front of the line. That means 30 days after being convicted sentence is carried out..no appeal

    Report Post »  
  • countrygirl
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:19am

    This is really a battle between two worldviews. The Darwinian view produces this kind of nonsense, where the cause is simply physical and the killer cannot be held ultimately responsible. On the other hand, a Biblical worldview holds that all men are inherently corrupted, and some choose to embrace evil. In a Darwinian worldview, one cannot call anything “good” or “evil”, because transcendent moral principles do not exist. It is when we deny the reality of evil that we are most in danger of being swept away by it.

    Report Post » countrygirl  
    • thriceconcussed
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 3:08am

      Wow, drown any witches lately?

      Report Post »  
    • Lonescrapper
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 7:32am

      No bureaucrat cares if your Wiccan if you can still contribute more to society than you take – but I would be careful, surfing the internet to make comments might lower your quality of life.

      Report Post » Lonescrapper  
    • JJ Coolay
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 8:00am

      Thrice, you must be of the Darwinian mindset, huh?

      Report Post » JJ Coolay  
  • jand777
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:19am

    Serial killers are, for the most part, are devoid of emotion. All of them do not feel or understand empathy. They find that killing someone is the only thing that excites them or gives them pleasure. This is what they are…period. This may help law enforcement catch then faster. Their pattern of behavior started when they were very young and they have learned to hide and blend in. Most have high IQs and think they will never be caught. At any given time the FBI believes there are 200 serial killers that are active. They should all get the death penalty when caught, tried and convicted no exceptions. Our tax dollars, yours and mine, state or federal should not be wasted keeping these monsters alive. I believe if you are convicted of murder and there is DNA or video evidence you go to the front of the line. That means 30 days after being convicted sentence is carried out..no appeal.

    Report Post »  
  • Kaoscontrol
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:12am

    There must be a devil’s staircase for politicians as well. They tell one lie, then another until they become nothing but a whole pack of lies.

    Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
  • Free2speakRN
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:58am

    I’d have to find it, as I am not a very good quoter of Scripture, but I just heard this within the month. I think it was in one of Paul’s letters. It was to the point that, when we sin, our punishment is that it is ‘harder’ not to commit the same sin. We are bound to the sin with increased temptation. The mercy of God is sometimes actually getting caught as not to do it again. I know somebody out there can find it, or already knows it.

    Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:27am

    I wonder if Wife Beaters follow an alike Formula?

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Lazier Than Thou
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:22am

    People overcome their biology every day. Didn’t eat that extra doughnut? You just beat your biology. Didn’t have wanton sexual activity with someone else regardless of their desire to? You just beat your biology. Didn’t go into a murder frenzy and start hacking people to death in traffic? Congratulations, you just beat your biology.

    Some things are obviously harder to do than others and some things are harder for some people but not others.

    This is important to note, because everyone probably has a serial killer inside themselves who they don‘t let out because they’re good people. We should not be looking to explain away someone who has the most destructive of hate within themselves. They commit the crime, they should do the time.

    Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:30am

      A reasonably safe Society requires that Criminals be Identified and Separated from the Citizens!

      Report Post » lukerw  
  • Soul Leister
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:19am

    Barkeep, another round of redrum for everyone…

    Report Post » Soul Leister  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:25am

      Thanks for shining some light onto the subject

      Report Post »  
    • Soul Leister
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 9:32pm

      I found the conclusion “drawn” in the article to be nuanced if not misleading… for context (in example) redrum is murder backwards… and barkeep could easily be another word for jailer (keeper of the bars)… and another round eludes to (if looked at from another pass or go around) would it look the same if viewed in a greater context than the preconceived (end justifies the means) premise presented. My original –redrum for everyone– held a deeper connotation. Enjoy looking in from the outside.

      Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • Mutiny
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:11am

    So basically Glenn Beck is saying its ok to murder people and its not your fault if you do it? Blame the
    neurons!!!

    I mean this was written on Glenn’s website so he must be advocating it right?

    Report Post » Mutiny  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:07am

      Sorry, reporting the news or endorsing/signing off on stories is totally different! The byline is Liz Klimas, the researcher(s) are named in the article, and THEBLAZE reported it, to Glenn, who also did not endorse it!

      I realize where you’re coming from, trying to wiggle out of the concept that Ron Paul’s newsletters were put out under his name, and with his thoughts or thoughts he endorsed. Sorry the THEBLAZE is not Glenn’s personal newsletter, it is a news source such as Drudge and HuffPo.

      I believe that Ron Paul COULD HAVE CHANGED HIS MIND since those newsletters were published, but he NEVER SAYS THAT! He only babbles about “not knowing what was in them,“ ”written by someone else” (although no byline was provided), “they’re old”! I sure wish Paul was more than he is, cause I do like much of what he is but, a whiner and misinformed on the ultimate intent of Islam he is!

      Report Post »  
    • idol31
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 2:27am

      Well said Hillbillyinny, but you’re talking to a wall. Remember the old saying “if your not part of the solution your part of the problem.”? It’s a lot like that for some Paul supporters, but instead of “solution” its a Ron Paul Rally, and instead of “problem” its a zionist warmonger that can’t comprehend the ideas that lay within the movie Loose Change.

      Report Post » idol31  
  • Soul Leister
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:09am

    And thus he did write:

    cognito ergo sum (I think therefore I am)
    cognito ergo morte (I think therefore I kill)

    …or words to that affect.

    Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • blackyb
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:03am

    Because some people think other people are dense. LOL

    Report Post » blackyb  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:59am

    THe article said the same thing four times. I kind of got it the first time, why all the repeating?

    Report Post »  
  • Captain Crunch
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:58am

    My neurons fire everytime I get on the Blaze. I have this ovewhelming impulse to attack my keyboard.

    Report Post »  
    • Soul Leister
      Posted on January 19, 2012 at 1:12am

      Let not the right hand know what the left hand is doing… or they will be at each other’s wrists.

      Report Post » Soul Leister  
  • yellowledbetter
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:54am

    Maybe I should be a researcher because I already know that from watching Dexter…

    Report Post » yellowledbetter  
  • CatB
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:52am

    I think I saw the same thing on Numb3rs tv show.

    Report Post »  
  • KangarooJack
    Posted on January 19, 2012 at 12:25am

    A cup of coffee stimulates my neurons…gee, can I “get off/get a pass” on what ensues?

    Report Post » KangarooJack  
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