One cannot understate the importance of religion for most people. Faith in a supreme deity, in one form or another, has been a part of most cultures since the dawn of civilization. This fact is evident as well in the development of legal systems across world history. In order to understand the effects of religion upon a State, one must analyze two States which act as complete opposites. By doing so, one is more able to notice the effects majors religions have on the judiciary. Specifically, focusing on a comparison between the religious-based theocracy of Iran with the United States of America's separation of Church and State. By studying the judicial system of each country, regarding religion's effect on the law, with specific attention to the appointment of judges. By reviewing two countries with completely opposite views on the role of religion in their legal system and the degree to which that impacts each country's courts, laws, and the way in which this affects the evolving judiciary.
According to our criminal justice system, criminals should receive penalties that are proportionate to the severity of their crimes. Because serial killers commit the most bizarre and hideous crimes, they should receive the ultimate punishment according to this principle. However, not all serial killers get arrested since they carefully plan out their crimes. Those that get arrested and charged with murder do not always receive death sentences. The purpose of this research paper is to investigate and inform about the nature of serial murder and its punishments by using qualitative data from existing documents and surveys. Based on psychological and legal analysis of serial murders, this thesis provides reasons supporting and opposing the death penalty in serial murder cases.