On December 5th, a group of Kingston College Policing and Uniformed Services students visited Serial Killer: The Exhibition at the Vaults in London as part of a criminology project. The exhibition provided a chilling yet educational deep dive into the lives, crimes, and investigations surrounding infamous serial killers, including Jack the Ripper, Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, Peter Sutcliffe, and Alexander Pichushkin. Each group of students focused on one of these killers, guided by key questions that facilitated a thorough exploration of the psychological profiling process, crime scene analysis, and the investigative methods used by law enforcement.
Tutor, Pascale Samy, commented: “The students gained a number of new insights including an understanding of the psychological depth behind serial killers’ actions, such as the role of childhood trauma or personality disorders in shaping their behaviours. They recognised the importance of profiling in narrowing down suspects and predicting future crimes, as well as appreciating the advancements in forensic technology, which would have drastically changed the outcomes of cases like Jack the Ripper. Overall, the visit enriched students’ understanding of criminal psychology and investigation techniques, offering a sobering reminder of the challenges and importance of their future roles in public safety.”
