Moss researched what would most interest each subject, and cast himself in the role of disciple, admirer, surrogate, or potential victim.
He thought that gaining the trust of a serial killer, possibly learning more about their stated crimes or unsolved murders, was a way to distinguish himself as a job candidate.
Moss believed that he became Gacy's "last victim" after this face-to-face meeting in prison, in essence being psychologically overpowered by the manipulative, depraved sociopath whom he claims prison officials left him alone and unsupervised with for two consecutive days and in which he alleges Gacy repeatedly threatened to rape and murder him while alone in his presence.
[2] Moss felt that this misadventure allowed him to understand how a killer's mind works in controlling the vulnerable and forcing them to submission.
People argued whether Moss was exploiting the lurid histories of these killers or whether he contributed to studies of criminal psychology.