11 Aileen Wuornos & Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and PTSD
Case Study: Aileen Wuornos – The Female Serial Killer with a Traumatized Past
Aileen Wuornos is one of the most well-known female serial killers in forensic psychology. Unlike Ted Bundy or Jeffrey Dahmer, who killed for control or compulsion, Wuornos’ crimes were shaped by a lifetime of abuse, trauma, and survival-driven aggression. Her case challenges many of the traditional theories of female criminality, as most female serial killers tend to use poison and target individuals close to them. Wuornos, however, was an exception—she killed strangers using a firearm.
Background of Aileen Wuornos’ Crimes
Between 1989 and 1990, Wuornos murdered seven men in Florida. She was a sex worker who claimed that she killed her victims in self-defense after they tried to assault her.
Unlike the organized, manipulative style of Bundy or the compulsive, ritualistic killings of Dahmer, Wuornos’ murders were impulsive, emotionally charged, and reactive.
Her case raises the question: Was she a cold-blooded psychopath, or was she a victim of severe trauma who lashed out in violence?
Personality Assessment and Forensic Analysis
1. Was Aileen Wuornos a Psychopath?
Some forensic psychologists assessed Wuornos using the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) and found that she exhibited some psychopathic traits, but she was not a prototypical psychopath.
| PCL-R Trait | Aileen Wuornos’ Behavior | Comparison to Bundy |
|---|---|---|
| Superficial Charm | Limited; had trouble maintaining relationships | Bundy was highly charismatic |
| Grandiose Sense of Self-Worth | Somewhat; saw herself as a misunderstood victim | Bundy had extreme arrogance |
| Pathological Lying | Lied inconsistently; changed her version of events | Bundy lied frequently and convincingly |
| Manipulativeness | More reactive than manipulative | Bundy was a master manipulator |
| Lack of Remorse | Initially justified her killings, later admitted guilt | Bundy never showed real remorse |
| Impulsivity | Very high—killed in the heat of the moment | Bundy planned his murders meticulously |
Why Wuornos Was Different from Typical Psychopaths
- Lack of Social Manipulation: Unlike Bundy, Wuornos was not a master manipulator—she was often emotionally volatile, angry, and impulsive rather than cold and calculating.
- Emotional Instability: Many of her murders were spontaneous and emotionally charged, unlike the highly controlled killings of psychopaths like Bundy.
- Genuine Trauma History: While some serial killers fake childhood abuse stories, Wuornos had extensive documented trauma (e.g., sexual abuse, abandonment, homelessness), which likely shaped her violent responses to perceived threats.
While she had some psychopathic tendencies, forensic experts argue that borderline personality disorder (BPD) and PTSD played a larger role in her behavior.
2. Personality Disorders in Wuornos’ Case: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and PTSD
Unlike Bundy, who was emotionally detached, Wuornos was highly reactive, emotionally unstable, and prone to violent outbursts—hallmarks of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD).
Key BPD Traits in Wuornos
| BPD Symptom | Wuornos’ Behavior |
|---|---|
| Intense fear of abandonment | Her relationships were chaotic; she was desperate for love and security |
| Unstable self-image | She saw herself as both a victim and a dangerous woman |
| Impulsive behavior | Her killings were often spur-of-the-moment, not premeditated |
| Emotional instability | She had frequent mood swings and bursts of rage |
| Self-destructive behavior | History of self-harm, substance abuse, and reckless actions |
PTSD and Its Role in Wuornos’ Crimes
Wuornos experienced severe childhood trauma, including:
- Sexual abuse by her grandfather
- Early exposure to sex work and exploitation
- Physical abuse and neglect
These experiences likely contributed to her hypervigilance and violent reactivity—key traits of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Her fear response may have contributed to her belief that she needed to kill men in self-defense, even when the threat was not immediate.
Theoretical Framework: Feminist Criminology and Female Serial Killers
Most serial killer theories focus on male offenders, but Wuornos’ case fits within the feminist criminology framework, which examines how gender, trauma, and societal oppression shape female criminal behavior.
Key Differences Between Male and Female Serial Killers
| Trait | Male Serial Killers (e.g., Bundy, Dahmer) | Female Serial Killers (e.g., Wuornos) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Motive | Power, control, sexual gratification | Financial gain, revenge, survival |
| Killing Method | Strangulation, stabbing, or prolonged torture | Poisoning, shooting, or suffocation |
| Victim Selection | Typically female victims, strangers | Typically people they know, but Wuornos targeted male strangers |
| Emotional Regulation | Cold, calculated, detached | Emotionally reactive, impulsive |
Why Was Wuornos Different?
Most female serial killers use poison and kill over time, often targeting intimate partners or family members. Wuornos, however, used a gun, killed quickly, and targeted strangers—behavior that aligns more closely with male serial killers.
Her case supports the feminist criminology perspective, which argues that:
- Women who kill are often driven by survival or abuse rather than sadism.
- Society’s treatment of women (especially abuse survivors) can contribute to their criminality.
Conclusion: What Wuornos’ Case Teaches Us About Female Serial Killers
- Wuornos was not a classic psychopath like Bundy.
- She exhibited some psychopathic traits (lack of remorse, impulsivity) but was emotionally volatile rather than manipulative.
- Her personality was shaped by severe trauma and mental illness.
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) explains her emotional instability and violent outbursts.
- PTSD likely played a role in her hypervigilance and belief that she had to kill to survive.
- She challenges traditional theories of serial killers.
- Most female serial killers kill people they know; Wuornos was more like a male serial killer in her victim selection and method.
- Her case supports feminist criminology theories that emphasize the role of trauma and gender in criminal behavior.
- Forensic psychology must account for gender differences in criminal profiling.
- Male serial killers often kill for power and control.
- Female serial killers are more likely to kill for protection, revenge, or financial motives.
Final Thought
Was Aileen Wuornos a victim or a villain?
- The justice system saw her as a cold-blooded killer.
- Psychologists saw her as a severely traumatized woman who lashed out in violence. It is important to note that this is an explanation of her behavior, not an approval of it.
Her case reminds us that forensic psychology must consider both personality and life circumstances when evaluating criminal behavior.