this post was submitted on 23 Feb 2026
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Isn't a serial killer defined as a murderer with at least 3 victims? Or have I fallen for TV culture
It is, but it's different from a spree killer in that the killings are spaced out, and follow a specific methodology and victim type (although there are some exceptions).
Serial was used because when the term was coined serial movies were a thing, which is kinda like the equivalent of the limited series on streaming platforms now. Basically the killings were episodic.