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Dexter's Serial Killer Profile

Serial Killer Profile

Everything you should know about Dexter (And what the cops shouldn't!)

***WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!!!***

DEXTER'S CHILDHOOD

Family life: Dexter has no real clear memory of his biological family but was exceptionally close (In his own way) with his adoptive family The Morgans.

His family on both sides consist(ed) of:
Harry Morgan (Adoptive Father)
Doris Morgan (Adoptive Mother)
Debra Morgan (Adoptive Sister)
Joe Driscoll (Biological Father)
Laura Moser (Biological Mother)
Brian Moser (Older Biological Brother)

Psychology and development:

Possible roots of pathology: Dexter and Brian were trapped as children in a storage container located at the docks in Miami for two days. Sitting in a two inch deep bath of blood and surrounded by corpses (One of them was their mother). Her murder was something both brothers witnessed. They suffer irreparable psychological and emotional damage. The decapitation and mutilation of their mothers body seems to lend to Brian's obsession and to Dexter's method of body removal.

First signs of mental illness: Harry realized Dexter had been killing neighborhood animals by discovering a mass grave site.

DEXTER'S TEEN YEARS

Learning The Code Of Harry: Throughout Dexter's teenage years Harry was Dexter's mentor. Harry would teach him the code, a set of rules constructed by Harry for Dexter in order for Dexter to control his urges by killing those who only deserved to die.

According to Harry: "It's not about vengeance, not about retaliation, or balancing the books -- it's about something deep inside."

Learn more about The Code of Harry

Dexter's First Kill:

Dexter first started killing small animals when he was a young boy. As he grew into a teenager his urges became stronger. His first kill was a 45 Year old nurse, Mary, also known as the Angel of Death because she was slowly killing her patients with an overdose of Morphine. Mary was Harry's nurse while he was hospitalized for a heart attack. She administered his morphine and attempted to kill him by overdose. Harry realized what was happening and asked Dexter to 'stop her...before she hurt anyone else. Harry gave Dexter permission to use the lessons he was taught.

See the full list of Dexter's Victims

DEXTER'S ADULT YEARS

How Dexter deals with his urges: The Code of Harry

Psychological motivation(s): To satisfy an inner voice he calls "The Dark Passenger"

Typical victim profile: Violent criminals who Dexter believes have escaped justice.

Psychological aftermath: Because of the things that happened when he was younger, his brain has grouped these thoughts of murder and labeled them with an image of the "dark passenger" inside his brain.

Kill souvenir(s):A medical slide with a small blood sample.

Life-changing moment(s):

Dexter kills his brother, Brian Moser, in the final episode of Season 1, Born Free
Dexter kills Santos Jimenez, The man who killed his mother, in Season 2, Episode 8, Morning Comes
Dexter discovers that Harry did not die from a heart attack, but committed suicide, and thinks it may be because Harry could not live with himself for making the code and encouraging Dexter to kill after walking into the garage after Dexter had killed Juan Rinez. Season 2, Episode 10, There's something about Harry

DEXTER'S RITUALS

Taking a blood sample from the victim with a scalpel for his slide collection.

Encasing his preferred room in plastic tarp so no evidence is left.
Using black plastic trash bags to dispose of victim remains overboard his boat called the slice of life.

TOOLS OF HIS TRADE

Rubber sheets
Plastic tarp

Etorphine hydrochloride or M99

Black leather gloves
Black plastic trash bags
Scalpel
Battery-powered mini-saw
Hypodermic needles
Plastic Wrap
Mundial Future Knives
Duct Tape

DEXTER POLL

DISSECTING DEXTER
Does Dexter want to get caught? (Provide evidence to support your case below.)

YES

Dexter as a hero would like to get caught, so he can feel accepted by everyone else, he would like a bit of credit for all the horrible people he's taken away

He follows Harry's Code, and part of that is not getting caught; remaining as normal as possible.

Dexter doesn't want to get caught because he enjoys killing and he thinks it "too soon" for it to end.

Dexter doesn't want to get caught because, when he embraces his 'hero' image, he reasons that he is making the streets safer, albeit not his primary motivation.
Dexter does not want to get caught because it bothers him considerably to imagine how Rita, her kids, his son and Deb would suffer over it. And he doesn't relish all his coworkers knowing either. Although he would love to be out in the open and understood, Dex doesn't believe that's even a possibility.

The Official Diagnosis?
Dexter's diagnosis has been debated. Some psychologists and lay people alike have diagnosed him as schizoid, dissociative or anti-social personality disordered. Many have also labeled Dexter as a psychopath or a sociopath. These two latter terms are neither medical-psychiatric diagnoses, nor official terms, but rather broader types of people whose personality and diagnosis combined qualifies them for one of these lay labels. Although people often use "psychopath" and "sociopath" interchangeably, their origins are different. Psychopathy is considered organic and inborn, whereas sociopathy is a condition that has developed from environmental trauma or neglect. However, they share identical behaviorial patterns.

Sociopathy and psychopathy have been assessed for decades using a behaviorial tool called the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), a rating scale devised by psychologist Robert D. Hare of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Put Dexter on the couch

The PCL-R rating scale is designed to measure traits of psychopathy and sociopathy. Subjects of investigation are interviewed and judged by whether any of 20 socio/psychopathy-related traits apply to them.

PCL-R scores range from 0 to 40. Most people in the general population score no more than 5 on this test, but an estimated 1 percent score at least 30, the threshold for psychopathy or sociopathy.

The show implies that if Dexter fits the traits measured by the PCL-R, he would be a sociopath and not a psychopath, as his pathology stems from a traumatic event.

How does Dexter score for shizoid PD diagnosis and a sociopathic profile?

Add evidence for the following diagnosis and traits for Dexter:

PCL-R SOCIOPATHIC TRAIT

EVIDENCE OR CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE OF TRAIT IN DEXTER

Glibness/superficial charm

Donuts everyday for the office
Playing along and returning flirting comments to a plethora of women, but not really meaning anything admittedly.
His playful and sarcastic responses to Doakes very real threat.

Most sociopaths are great salesmen and flirts, with passionate, animated speech patterns. Although friendly and mild mannered, Dexter is awkward and his speech is stilted. He refrains from flirting unless it's impossible to avoid, and is pretty bad at it.

Grandiose sense of self-worth

As we can see from his ending statements from Season 1, he sees himself as a hero, not a murderer. (however, i agree)
In "Born Free," after Dexter and fellow officers visit the scene of the Ice Truck Killer's murder/apparent suicide, he has a vision of being the heroic object of a parade of people cheering for him and holding up signs.
Dexter often describes himself as "the only one" who can punish the serial killers he tracks, as an avenger.
Before Brian, he felt no one would ever understand him--after he killed Brian, again he felt alone.
Dexter wishes he were a hero and fantasizes that people would see him that way. But his inner-talk seems to indicate that he believes he is inherantly damaged, an evil monster, and someone that no one would understand or befriend if they knew his reality. He's very self-depreciating. Doesn't seem to have a grandiose sense of self-worth at all.

Need for stimulation/proneness to boredom

He can't last for too long without being willed to commit another murder by his dark thoughts, the embodiment of "The Dark Passenger."
As a teenager he was fascinated by his fathers heart beating rapidly in response to surprise/fear. Dexter had never felt that much emotions or excitement and felt the need to risk his own life just to replicate the sensation.
The only thing that keeps him going is the thrill of the kill and his misguided morals that induce this need to kill.
Although he admits to needing his monthly kill, Dexter's day-to-day routine is far less stimulating and serene than that of most sociopaths--who are out in bars, strip clubs, the boxing ring, etc.

Pathological lying

On a daily basis since his first "lesson" with his father, Dexter has been lying to everyone he knows by pretending to respond with emotion or interest.
The fib he tells about where he got the heroin and then says that he is an addict--allowing her to believe that he is a narcotics addict--when int truth his addiction is worse than heroin.
Before Harry taught Dexter how to pretend and lie, Dexter was surprisingly honest. He readily admitted his actions and dark fantasies to Harry. He also tends to be as honest as possible in daily life. When he is throwing a corpse overboard, he tells Rita "I'm just dropping someone off." He never thinks of lying that his cell phone was out of range when he's engaged in a kill. He answers truthfully, against his own advantage when Rita asks if he slept with Lila. These things are atypical of the sociopath. They usually lie even without a motive.

Conning/manipulative

Getting case files from the file clerk by plying her with donuts.
He constantly manipulates Debra's investigations and theories, to avoid being implicated.
He tampers with evidence
He cons his victims as he stalks them (e.g. meeting up with Matt Chambers in a bar; going to sessions as a patient of Dr. Meridian.
His entire relationship with Rita is based on his desire to appear to be a normal person.
Breaking the airconditioning unit next to the tent where his victims bodies were being analyzed.
Although Dexter manipulates situations, to protect himself, he doesn't tend to manipulate people as a general power play, or just to elicit devotion and emotion from them, as most sociopaths do.

Lack of remorse or guilt

"I'm not sorry." "Neither am I."
Dexter doesn't believe that what he is doing is actually wrong and so his intellect tells him that, even if he could feel guilt he would have no need to do so. He hides what he does not out of guilt but only, as he was trained, to not get caught so that he can continue.

Lack of remorse or guilt has to be a prevailing attitude, not only specific to certain things in the subject's life. While many people would be grossed out and/or God / Karma fearing after killing all those people, how many would actually feel remorse for taking out brutal murderers? Although Dexter claims to have no feelings, remorse or guilt overall, the show makes a strong argument that he actually does feel those things, such as when Miguel kills an innocent Ellen Hunt because Dexter taught him how.

Shallow affect

No emotion, always calm, doesn't get excited, doesn't cry.
Watches "Terms of Endearment", widely considered one of the most heart wrenching movies made without reacting in the least.

He has formed shallow "friendships" with his colleagues. (Here again I don't know how accurate this is - Dexter doesn't think that these relationships have much to them, however he does obviously take them into consideration and respects them.)

Lives life by a rigid code -- actions aren't motivated or coordinated by his own conscience, but by what he thinks is correct from his childhood learnings.

Most sociopaths have little inside, but are great fakers of emotional response and use it for grand manipulation and control over others. Dex's inability to know when and how to turn on the water works separates him from some of his counterparts.

Callous/lack of empathy

Dexter shows no remorse for his victims. This is most likely because they show no remorse for their victims (who are innocent, as far as he is concerned). Had they done so, Dex would have taken that into consideration before the stalk. He shows empathy for his victims' victims.
Dexter has no instinct or desire to comfort his own emotionally devastated sister just moments after saving her from being murdered by her boyfriend. However he does seem concerned when they are together in the ambulance afterwards.
Dexter in season one comes across as completely robotic and without empathy. As each season progresses though, he develops more and more emotion, attachment and empathy. Considering that sociopaths are considered untreatable, this begs the question of whether Dexter was ever really a sociopath, or simply a dissociated and disturbed man who was convinced that he's an incurable sociopath.

SCHIZOID DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA	EVIDENCE OR CONTADICTORY EVIDENCE OF CRITERIA IN DEXTER
Emotional coldness, detachment or reduced affection.	Dexter consistently has trouble understanding human emotions, and claims not to feel them.
Limited capacity to express either positive or negative emotions towards others.	When he does appear to have emotions, he seems to have trouble even recognizing them. It is also difficult for him to fake emotions. And he rarely even shows anger internally.
Consistent preference for solitary activities.	Earlier in life, and in the first season, Dexter much preferred to be alone. Later, he starts to enjoy the company of Rita. He doesn't enjoy social groups.
Very few, if any, close friends or relationships, and a lack of desire for such.	Early on, Dexter says he'd be happier as the only person on earth.
Indifference to either praise or criticism.	Dexter doesn't seem to care, even on the inside, when Doakes or Quinn insult him. He cares if someone interferes with his activities, or reveals him, but he doesn't really care if they are mean and nasty to him.
Taking pleasure in few, if any, activities.	Well, aside from blood spatter analysis and murder. :)
Indifference to social norms and conventions.	Sees many human interactions and activities as strange and puzzling. Is often not even aware of how he should act or respond in certain situation.
Lack of desire for sexual experiences with another person.	Dexter chose Rita because she wasn't interested in sex at first.
Preoccupation with fantasy and introspection.	Dexter has quite a fantasy life, especially where Harry is concerned. And he engages in lots of introspection: "Am I a good person doing bad things, or a bad person doing good things?"

ADDITIONAL SCHIZOID TRAITS	EVIDENCE OR CONTRADICTORY EVIDENCE OF TRAIT IN DEXTER
Responsible in school, jobs, paying bills and other daily tasks	Finished school, sticks with one vocation, shows up on time, always answers his phone.
Neat and organized	Anally neat and organized, though not OCD about it.
Moral unevenness - Can commit immoral crimes or transgressions, but judge others on a rigorous moral scale.	Seems to be sincerely upset by murder that is "undeserved" and other transgressions that most people would consider unfair, but which are ironic considering his hobby.
Stilted speech and akward social skills; unable to read social cues, similar to the disposition of those with Asperger's.	Dexter went down on Rita when she was watching "Terms of Endearment." His speech tends to be monotone and, when he is caught off guard, he verbally stumbles. Not suave at all.
Often possess a negative vice that is personalized and given a name	Dexter names his desire to kill "The Dark Passenger."
Under stress, fantasies can become delusions or hallucinations	Dexter's visions of Harry definitely seem to be hallucinations much of the time, and tend to appear during times of inner conflict and stress.
An aversion to sexual jokes, displays and inuendos	Dexter doesn't enjoy or understand porn, Masuka's dirty jokes, the whole strip-bar and bachelor party rituals.
Perplexed and turned off by boisterous socializing and buddy-buddy behavior.	"Just kill me now" when he learns he has to party all night at his bachelor party. Sarcastically, "Miguel--my new bestest friend," as he laments Miguels clingy attention.
Self-sufficient and uncomfortable relying on others for anything.	Anything he can do himself, he does. Never asks Rita or Deb or coworkers to do anything for him, unless (as with Camilla in Records), he has no other choice.
Can appear to be a pushover, overly compliant, non assertive	Does almost anything Rita asks him to; often puts himself in potential harm's way by being too compliant and not saying "no."

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Morgaine

Dexter's kill ensemble

Oct 31 2009, 10:58 AM EDT by CAATbox

Thread started: Nov 26 2007, 1:37 AM EST Watch

OK, maybe someone has already covered this, but does Dexter wear the same outfit when he kills? He always seems to have the same tight sand colored shirt and chinos on.

Also, what did he have on over that, but under the apron when he killed Jimenez?

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SSMD23

Dexter the coward

Mar 10 2009, 7:22 PM EDT by jwnelson11

Thread started: Dec 5 2007, 8:11 PM EST Watch

Interesting that when Dexter kills, he uses a blitz attack and a incapacitating sedative on his victims. As a skilled martial artist, both the blitz attack and sedative are not necessary for him to kill. Only when his victim is bound, drugged, and therefore helpless will he kill. His complete control over his victim and the victim's complete powerlessness are part of his ritual. Despite his outward display of confidence, he needs his victims to be as helpless as he felt when his mother was murdered in order for him to kill. The mask that he is forced to wear in an attempt to feel normal makes him feel powerless and so long as Dexter feels powerless, he will continue to kill others in an attempt to regain his feeling of control over the world.

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harry.nutzak

a homegrown "Dexter" in my hood...

Nov 15 2008, 5:57 AM EST by Psychomech

Thread started: Nov 14 2008, 2:32 AM EST Watch

We have recently had a real-life Dexter wannabe in our neighborhood. His name is Mark Twitchell and his vanity plate says DRK JEDI - a reference to the Dark Passenger maybe?
He even has an IMDB enrty: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2671533/

Allegedly, he lured a man into his garage and killed him but the body was never found (is he just "good" or did the kill even happen?).
There was forensic evidence of some kind (cops are not disclosing too many details), enoigh to get him arrested but, so far, sketchy press details.

See here: http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=930119 and here: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2008/11/03/7288861.html
The cops are still looking for Twitchell's car: http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/11/13/7403001.html

D E X T E R_-_B U M P E R_-_S T I C K E R	Predict Season 4	What Jeff Lindsay thinks of Season Two
DEXTER fans and their wiki.....The Power of Friends	Should Rita be killed off?	Which character is more iconic: David Fisher or Dexter Morgan
Episode 11: Truth Be Told	jennifer carpenter can't act to save her life.	Rita is a egocentric, controlling, emasculating, selfish woman.
the reporter shot deb	What motivates the Trinity Killer?	Episode 6 Si Se Puede

Dexter's Serial Killer Profile

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