Deadly Women

Deciphering what causes minds to corkscrew out of control is the complex work of the criminal profiler. Obsessions can take many forms: beauty, devotion, ego and power.

Known as "black widows," these women kill their spouses, lovers and children for profit. Murder for them becomes a business. Their trade is murder. Their profit? Blood money.

Crimes of revenge are usually single acts of passion. A brew of hatred and restitution boils over in a manic moment of fury. Once caught, revenge killers usually display remorse and atonement.