Mikhail Popkov the KillerIn criminology it is taught that people commit acts of deviance or crimes based on various personal circumstances. The social class you grew up in can influence the choices you make in life, such as whether to obey or disobey the rules and laws that govern society. There are theories that cover the question of why people commit acts of assault, rape, and murder. This article will discuss how classical and rational theories of choice can help understand the actions of the cold-blooded killer, Mikhail Popkov. Mikhail Popkov was born on March 7, 1964 in Angarsk, Russia (Pyatenok, 2012). He was raised by his mother, who he said was an alcoholic and abusive parent. He worked as a policeman in Angarsk and a security guard at the local oil company. Popkov was married with a son. By all accounts he was a charming and sociable person. His deceitful lifestyle came to light in June 2012, when he was arrested for the murder of 25 local women. They ranged in age from 19 to 40 with 25 victims aged between 19 and 28. All the women were brutally killed and strangled with signs of trauma resulting from the use of screwdrivers, awls and axes on various victims (Chasmar, 2013). These murders occurred from 1992 to 2000 and might have continued if not for DNA evidence that uncovered the truth (Stewart, 2013). The sole surviving victim, known only as Svetlana M., tried to convince police that an officer had attacked and attempted to kill her. She also managed to identify his photo, but since Popkov's wife gave him an alibi, the policeman did not believe her and he continued to live as a free man. If it were not for the biological evidence left on the victims and the DNA match with Popkov, he may never have paid for his crimes (...... middle of paper ....... It is understood that traumatic events in childhood can influence how you deal with the trials of life as an adult. I believe that responsibility must occur somewhere. Beccaria believed, I also think that people have free will and act in a way determined based on the circumstances surrounding them make the statement "I could just kill him" but they don't go out and commit murders wantonly Most people can control the fits of rage and impulses that those who commit acts of horror like those committed would have by Popkov help explain that someone may have committed such acts of pain and death against others. There are those who are mentally unstable and do not understand their own actions, but I think these are in the minority of various everyday actions.