What drives lone mass killers? - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Mass killings can seem random and impossible to explain. But forensic psychiatrist Professor Paul Mullen has spent a career studying them, and says that across cases from Port Arthur to the University of Texas, patterns emerge.

The motivations of lone mass killers often relate to isolation, the desire for vengeance and hunger for fame. That's why Paul argues that perpetrators of mass killings should never be named.

Sana Qadar speaks with Paul about what he's learned from studying historical cases, and what can be done to prevent future mass killings.

Please note, this episode covers topics including massacres and suicide. Please take care while listening.