Elliot Rodger killing spree 'could have been stopped,' claims top criminal profiler

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Park Dietz says there is 'no question' such crimes can be prevented

British born Elliot Rodger, right, murdered six students during a stabbing and shooting spree (AP)

The murder of six students during a stabbing and shooting spree by British born Elliot Rodger last month could have been prevented, according to forensic psychiatrist Dr Park Dietz, one of the world’s top criminal profilers. The killer, the son of English film director Peter Rodger, had posted a series of videos online before he went on the rampage.

In one video, as well as a 141-page manifesto detailing how he had planned his attack, Rodger tried to justify his actions by citing his rejection by the opposite sex. “I’m 22 years old and still a virgin, never even kissed a girl... I will punish all of you for it.”

In the last video he made, Rodger declared: “Tomorrow is the Day of Retribution, the day I will have my revenge against humanity, against all of you.” He went on to stab three men to death in his apartment, before shooting three of his fellow students and injuring 13 others, in Santa Barbara, California. The 22-year-old student then turned the gun on himself.

Dr Dietz, an expert witness in high profile cases such as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, the Unabomber, and the Columbine school massacre, commented: “There is no question in my mind that in a society that shared data, that had a good protocol for law enforcement to make use of that data, and that had adequate mental health resources, such crimes could be prevented.”

Dr Dietz has been an expert witness in high profile cases such as serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer (AP)

Describing the lack of emotion shown by Rodger on a series of videos he had posted online, Dr Dietz comments: “There’s no emotion in his voice. This is the same tone that sexually sadistic killers use when they torture their victims. It’s cruel.” Speaking in a documentary being broadcast on Channel 4 tonight, he adds: “What comes through loud and clear here is his detachment. His tone during this is a cold instructional, calculated tone.”

The Virgin Killer' is on Channel 4 at 10.05pm tonight