One of the most revered principles of medical ethics is to do no harm. In medical malpractice cases, harm may be inflicted upon patients due to omission, inexperience, or negligence. However, doctors and nurses are human beings too, and people can be truly evil and greedy. The most prolific serial killer of all time and the most prolific medical serial killer of all time are actually the same person - “Doctor Death” Harold Shipman. It is estimated that he murdered at least 215 individuals. Harold Shipman targeted elderly patients, injecting them with lethal doses of painkillers under the ruse of collecting blood samples.
He often falsified records to hide his tracks and even altered patient wills in his financial favor. The motive of his cruel actions is controversial; some believe he was simply greedy and power-hungry, some say he was trying to avenge his deceased mother, and others claim he was trying to alleviate the strain caused on the NHS by elderly patients. This infographic explores the 35 most prolific medical serial killers of all time and the reasons and details behind their crimes.
