Murderers rarely kill at random. While each killing is unique, the weapon they choose—whether a knife, gun, poison, or bare hands—offers clues about how they think, what they feel, and why they kill.
The method is not just a means to an end. It’s a signature.
So, why do killers choose specific murder methods? The answer lies deep within their psychology, experience, and emotional state.
Strangulation: The Kill That Demands Control
Unlike guns or poison, strangulation requires proximity, force, and time. It’s not about speed; it’s about domination.
“Most of these killers enjoy the personal contact,” says criminologist Dr. Eric Beauregard. “It brings them a feeling of power and control.”
In this method, the killer must watch their victim suffer. They may even choke, pause, and revive, stretching the experience. Clearly, they don’t want to simply kill—they want to own the moment.
Therefore, killers who choose strangulation often crave physical and emotional superiority. They kill to feel powerful, not just to remove a person.
Stabbing: Raw Emotion Meets Easy Access
Knives are everywhere. For that reason alone, stabbing ranks as one of the most common murder methods worldwide—especially in countries with strict gun laws.
However, ease of access isn’t the only reason. Stabbing is also brutal and up-close, making it highly emotional. According to forensic data, crimes of passion often involve multiple stab wounds, suggesting rage more than intent.
In fact, some killers stab to feel their victim’s pain. Herb Mullin, for example, believed his stabbing spree would stop California’s earthquakes. Others do it in fits of fury.
As a result, stabbing tells us the killer acted personally, emotionally, or impulsively.
Poisoning: The Method for Calculated Killers
Unlike stabbing or shooting, poisoning rarely involves spontaneous action. Instead, it demands planning, patience, and knowledge—and that’s exactly why many poisoners are caregivers, nurses, or doctors.
“They know how to deliver just enough poison to kill, and how to avoid detection,” says forensic psychologist Joni Johnston.
Interestingly, nearly 90% of poison murders involve people who know their victims. Motives often include money, jealousy, or revenge.
Consequently, poisoners don’t typically enjoy the act of killing. What they desire is a clean, consequence-free exit—without physical confrontation.
Guns: Quick, Detached, and Deadly
In the United States alone, more than 15,000 people die by gun homicide each year. Guns are simple. They’re fast. Most importantly, they require no physical contact.
Criminologist Dr. Jesenia Pizarro explains:
“Most murders with guns are not planned serial killings. They’re arguments, robberies, or street fights that escalate.”
For this reason, killers who use guns typically want distance, speed, and minimal resistance. They’re not interested in theatrics—they want the job done.
Nevertheless, guns often prove too impersonal for sadistic or ritualistic murderers. These killers prefer something slower and more satisfying to their twisted desires.
Torture: When Pain Matters More Than Death
Some killers go beyond murder. They prolong suffering, using tools like hammers, pliers, or knives not to kill—but to torture.
- The Tool Box Killers inflicted unimaginable pain with ice picks and sledgehammers.
- Ted Bundy bludgeoned women before strangling them.
- John Wayne Gacy played “games” with his victims while slowly choking them to death.
Sadistic killers don’t seek a fast ending. Instead, they enjoy terror, helplessness, and control.
According to Beauregard,
“Sadists don’t kill to kill. They kill to feel something—and to make their victims feel everything.”
Thus, these individuals reveal the darkest part of the human psyche: killing is not the goal—suffering is.
Why Killers Choose Murder Methods: A Psychological Breakdown
Let’s summarize what each method reveals:
| Method | What It Says About the Killer |
|---|---|
| Strangulation | Needs control; derives satisfaction from physical power |
| Stabbing | Acts impulsively or emotionally; seeks closeness |
| Poison | Calculated; seeks emotional or physical detachment |
| Guns | Practical, fast, and often unplanned |
| Torture | Enjoys control, pain, and fear; deeply sadistic traits |
Killers often don’t say much. But the method speaks volumes.
FAQs: Why Killers Choose Murder Methods
Why do killers prefer one method over another?
Their choice often reflects their personality, emotional state, and desire for control or detachment.
Is stabbing more personal than shooting?
Yes. Stabbing involves close physical contact and is usually driven by rage or passion.
Why is poison used less often?
Because it requires planning and knowledge. It’s also harder to access and trace without expertise.
Are most gun murders planned?
No. Many result from spontaneous conflict, especially in the U.S.
What does torture say about a killer?
That they enjoy suffering. They kill not for outcome but for emotional dominance.
Can murder methods help catch killers?
Yes. Patterns in method help profilers understand and locate repeat offenders.