Prof. Nevzat Tarhan: “Those oppressed in childhood turn to violent behavior later in life”

President of Üsküdar University, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan, made evaluations regarding the personality traits of serial killers in an interview published in Nefes Newspaper. Tarhan pointed out that psychological, physical, or sexual abuses experienced by these individuals during childhood can be associated with behavioral disorders in later ages, emphasizing that a lack of empathy is also among their common characteristics. Tarhan also underlined that individuals who grow up oppressed and humiliated during their childhood tend to engage in violent behavior later in life.

In Nefes Newspaper, expert opinions were included in the news prepared on the clarification of murders committed in Ankara in past years using the same method, years later.

It was revealed that the serial killer who murdered three people and attempted to murder six others using the same method in 2015 was Medeni Öztaş, who was in prison for another murder he committed. Öztaş's signature in the murders was pulling down the victims' trousers and underwear to their knees and striking their heads from behind with a blunt object. The connection between Öztaş's murders could not be established for 11 years.

Within the scope of the news, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan noted that serial killers have some common personality traits.

“Those oppressed in childhood turn to violent behavior later in life”

Prof. Nevzat Tarhan stated that negative experiences serial killers had in childhood can be effective on their behavior in later ages, and pointed out that these individuals can be subjected to psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. Tarhan said; “It has been determined that these individuals, especially during their childhood, were subjected to psychological, physical, or sexual abuse. This factor has been observed to cause behavioral disorders in later ages. Individuals who grow up oppressed and humiliated during their childhood tend to engage in violent behavior later in life.”

“A common characteristic of these individuals is a lack of empathy”

Stating that one of the common personality traits of serial killers is a lack of empathy, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan noted that these individuals can objectify the people they will kill and feel no remorse for the acts they commit.

Tarhan stated: “Another common characteristic of these individuals is a lack of empathy. These individuals objectify the people they will kill. They feel no remorse or pain for their actions.”

NEFES