Aaron Hotchner:  We suggest that you think of this unsub not as a slasher but as an arsonist . Because the gratification he 's getting is n't from the physical act of murder , but from the public 's reaction to it .
Emily Prentiss: Arsonists draw attention to themselves through the fires they set . The locations they choose are highly symbolic to them . While this unsub will never set an actual fire , he has the same psychosis as _ one _ who does .
Dr. Spencer Reid: Our unsub fits that model . His locations have been pillars of the community . The victims he picks are n't as important as the effect of killing them outside of your favorite restaurant or place of worship .
Derek Morgan: By picking locales with the highest visibility , he 's creating the highest level of fear in that neighborhood , which reinforces his feeling of power .
Detective Jake Moreland: Yeah , but arsonists do n't set out to hurt people . This guy clearly does .
Derek Morgan: That 's true . And this unsub definitely falls in the category of sociopath .
Emily Prentiss: His victims are there only to achieve his goal . He does n't have the ability to empathize with them . To him , they 're just ... tools for him to use , no different than a can of gasoline and a match .
David Rossi: But even how he kills tells us something . Slashing a throat is a messy , visual act . It 's designed to create attention , just like a fire .
Dr. Spencer Reid: Arsonists are often mission based . They need to make sure their first fire has burnt out before they set another one . They 're also highly disciplined and focused . If conditions are n't right to set a fire or , in this case , slash a throat , they 'll move on .
Aaron Hotchner: In addition to his need to kill , he has self - control . He has a short cooling off period because he 's enjoying what he 's doing . This in turn feeds his ego and keeps him covering his tracks .
David Rossi: This makes him even more dangerous . If he gets frustrated , encounters too many obstacles , or suffers a blow to his narcissistic ego , he could go on an all - out rampage .