A contract killer:
(1) may be a member of an organized crime group ordered to kill another member of the same family
(2) may be a member of an organized crime group performing murder for hire, such as Murder, Inc.
(3) may be a freelance operator
Advantages:
(1) The killer can get close to the victim without being suspected, either because he or she is known or not known.
(2) The person ordering the murder can have an alibi.
(3) The person ordering the murder does not have to actually kill the victim.
(4) The person committing the murder may have more aptitude for killing and getting away with it.
(5) There often is no link between the victim and the hired killer so solving the crime can be very difficult.
(6) If the homicide is made to look like an accident (“The Mechanic”), then no one may suspect.
Disadvantages:
(1) The killer may testify against the person ordering the murder.
(2) The killer may blackmail the person ordering the murder.
(3) The killer may not be competent.
(4) The killer may be part of a sting operation.
Sometimes the killer will be killed in turn.
