Idaho Student Murders Crime Scene Could Reveal if Suspect Is Serial Killer

As the investigation into the murders of four University of Idaho students continues, the contents of the crime scene could potentially show if a possible suspect has committed any violent crimes in the past.

"The crime scene will oftentimes show you clues as to if this was a first time or serial offender but not always. It will also tell you potentially if someone was targeted as well," Kenneth Mains, a former law enforcement official and founder of the American Investigate Society of Cold Cases, told Newsweek on Monday.

Mains' comments come roughly two weeks since the fatal stabbing of four University of Idaho students, which occurred on November 13.

Police in Moscow, Idaho, were called to a residence near the university for reports of an unconscious person, and when they arrived, they found Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle fatally stabbed.

"Autopsies were conducted on November 17th. The Latah County Coroner confirmed the identity of the four murdered individuals and their cause and manner of death as homicide by stabbing," the Moscow Police Department said in a press release.

"The coroner stated the four victims were likely asleep, some had defensive wounds, and each was stabbed multiple times. There was no sign of sexual assault," police added.

Mains also told Newsweek that a perpetrator's possible criminal past could also play a role in their ability to avoid police.

"A serial offender, just like any criminal, usually gets better at their craft through experience. Certainly not insinuating that this is a serial offender but from the outside looking in, you can't rule it out," Mains told Newsweek.

"With each crime, whether successful or not, he will learn from it and adjust accordingly. Ted Bundy is a perfect example of a serial offender who got 'better' with each successful murder. Yet, hubris [was] his downfall as he got too confident and became sloppy and not disciplined," Mains added.

However, Mains noted that "there is absolutely no way as an outsider looking in can you tell whether this offender has done it before based on the information we have."

"The only people that could know the answer to that question are the people inside that crime tape, meaning the investigators there and of course the offender him/herself," he said.

Police have yet to identify a suspect in the case, and a weapon has not been found. Police previously said that they believe a "fixed-blade knife" was used in the crime.

"We understand there is a sense of fear within our community. Since November 13th, the department has received 78 calls for unusual circumstances and 36 requests to check the welfare of loved ones, an increase from 70 and 18, respectively, for all of October," police said in an update on Sunday.

Newsweek reached out to the Moscow Police Department for updated information.