From ancient Rome to the 21st century, a look at human predators-and those who hunt them down.

A bestselling author and research expert in forensics and true-crime presents for the first time a chronological analysis of serial killing in the context of specific historical periods. She also aligns with this discussion details of the development of forensic science and psychology, which gradually enabled law enforcement to better identify the men and women who commit these heinous crimes-and perhaps begin to understand their motivations.

Spanning from ancient times to yesterday's headlines, this book is a chilling reminder that the darkness that exists in human nature is not, as some would think, the product of modern society.