Biographies. Introduction: the study of serial murder investigations. 1 - Recognition and acknowledgment of serial murder: recognition; finding similar cases; information sources; Scott William Cox; acknowledgment; references. 2 - The archetypal serial killer task force investigation - the Yorkshire Ripper case: Peter Sutcliffe - the Yorkshire Ripper; chronology of the case; reference. 3 - Anatomy of an investigation: the major incident room; prototypical operation of a major incident room; the breakdown of the cross area sighting inquiry; the tire marks and vehicle tracking inquiry; criminal pattern behaviour; the police interviews involving Sutcliffe; reference. 4 - The consulting detective: the Atlanta child murders; profile of the Atlanta child killer; how to catch the Atlanta child killer; the first thirty days; the EI Paso desert murders; summary; references. 5 - The Paul Bernardo case: the Scarborough rapes; the murder of Tammy Homolka; the St. Catharine's sexual assault series; the investigation of Paul Bernardo - time and weight of evidence; the Bernardo investigation review; references. 6 - Profiling the serial killer - the efficacy of profiling: the myth and reality of profiling; the crime assessment; power-assertive rape murderer; power-reassurance rape murderer; anger-retaliatory rape murderer; anger-excitation rape murderer; summary and discussion; references. 7 - Taking control of denial and defeat: advance planning; investigating related cases; consistency in personnel allocation; communications and media relations; media liaison; internal communications; communication can make serendipity happen; case review; the model; reference. 8 - The playbook: the murder book manual - a framework for investigation; the investigative theory; the planned method of investigation; interviewing a serial killer; living witnesses; how this model framework operates in serial task force investigations; reference. 9 - Best practices: the Ted missing and murdered women cases; Randy Kraft; computer matching and the DC Beltway snipers; best practices; the Beltway snipers; the wrong profile; the crime assessment profile of the power-assertive killer; computer programs for storing information; record and track decisions that are made; case review after 30 days; references.