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Why Do So Many Serial Killers Seem to Wear Glasses? Myths And Facts Decrypted

When people think about serial killers, they immediately picture someone who has glasses as that is how most serial killers are normally portrayed glasses therefore making people assume that serial killers only wear glasses. In the media, where criminals are frequently obsessively examined and even fetishized, glasses have taken on symbolic significance. Shiny lenses positioned on the bridge of a serial killer’s nose serve as a subliminal allusion to his closed-off personality and the sociopath’s coldness. Therefore, in this article, we are going to explore the myths and facts about serial killers and glasses

Myths

Serial killers wear glasses because they have eye problems

A picture of glasses. , , via Wikimedia Commons

A pervasive and unfounded misconception that has crept into popular society is the idea that serial killers wear glasses because of eye issues. This misunderstanding is dangerously deceptive in addition to being untrue. Serial killers, like any other group in society, can have a variety of eye health issues or none at all. There is no scientific or logical support for the notion that having glasses indicates a person has criminal or psychotic inclinations.

These urban legends may be hazardous because they support unjustified prejudices and may cause unjustified stigmatisation or distrust of those who wear glasses. In truth, like the general public, serial killers may wear spectacles for a variety of reasons, such as near-sightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism while others may not wear them as they do not have any issues that hinder their eyesight.

Glasses signify creepy people

There are several stereotypes that suggest that people who wear glasses are creepy and fit the description of a serial killer. A few serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer and the BTK killer having had glasses cemented this notion. However, when we keenly look at the trends in the late 20^th century one would note that this era featured big glasses with wire frames which disqualifies the notion that serial killers who wear glasses are creepy as it was trendy during that time. Since serial killers are normal people who have the ability to blend and hide among other people in society, it makes people comfortable to have the notion that serial killers are people who look creepy with glasses as it means that they will recognise them easily.

The serial killers wear the glasses as a signature

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This is another notion that suggests that serial killers wear glasses as a signature so that people can know that they are the ones who performed the heinous crimes.  This notion is untrue as most serial killers go to great lengths to ensure that they are not identified. This notion will mean that people will be looking for a suspect with glasses and maybe the killer does not wear glasses because they think that it is a signature look for serial killers to wear glasses.

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Facts

Serial killers and glasses are a result of media portrayal

The media has been a great influence on the formation of stereotypes and misconceptions that the public usually has when it comes to the use of glasses by serial killers. The media usually strives to create a particular image when they are creating the character of a serial killer and often, glasses will be employed as part of the visual.  Additionally, the media uses glasses to create an alter ego for the serial killer in that when a serial killer dons glasses in movies and films, they appear unassuming and thus blend into society more easily and will only reveal their true nature when they run into their victims.

The media is keen on enhancing mystery when it comes to serial killer topics in documentaries and films and therefore when glasses are worn by the character that plays the serial killer, their eyes and expressions are often obscured and thus create mystery around the character which in turn reels the audience in.

Criminal profiling does not use glasses to create killers’ profiles

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Criminal profiling is an investigative technique that law enforcement authorities use to create a profile for a criminal so that they have an idea of where to start when searching for the offender. When creating a profile, there are several factors that are looked at which include psychological, behavioural and circumstantial evidence.  When exploring behavioural characteristics, police officers try to understand the criminal’s behaviour and thought process by concentrating on the mode of operation and the crime scenes. The psychological factors they look at involve the criminal’s personality traits and emotional state. They also explore the circumstantial evidence which is done by concentrating on the victims of the criminal so that one can get an idea of what he was after when killing the victims.

In the process of criminal profiling glasses is not a critical part that law enforcement authorities look at when investigating a serial killer instead, the concept might be explored when looking at the physical characteristics of the killers but it is not a box that it is checked when doing criminal profiling.

Glasses are not a sign of intelligence

When people hear about serial killers who wear glasses, they immediately think of them as intelligent people who are bookish and know a lot. This notion is not true as wearing glasses is not an indicator of intelligence and from the history of the cases that are associated with serial killers, the individuals had average and below average IQs. There is no proof that there is a correlation between intelligence and glasses because glasses are often used to repair visual impairment ls that people may have.

There are many myths and misconceptions that are associated with serial killers and glasses which have altered the perception of the public on people who wear glasses and their involvement in crime. Therefore, it is critical to dispel the notion that all serial killers wear glasses as they are people who come from different backgrounds and possess different characteristics with one of them being not wearing glasses.

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