A local criminologist says teens who torture animals are potential time bombs waiting to go off.

"Young people who torture animals can be lethal at older ages. This is an incredibly dangerous red flag. Combined with other behaviours, it's often an indicator of anti-social personality disorder and psychopathy," said Bill Pitt of the University of Alberta.

He spoke to Sun Media following news that one 13-year-old and three 15-year-olds are charged for microwaving a cat to death during a break-in at a Camrose home Dec. 30.

"Mental health officials need to look at composite profiles of these individuals to determine any level of potential threat. Animal abuse is a hallmark of long-term behaviours exhibited by serial killers. By age 18 or 19, you could be looking at a Frankenstein monster."

Pitt used the example of American serial killer Charles Manson, who tortured animals in his younger years.

Pitt agreed with animal activists who analyse serial killer data in their call for governments to take a stronger hand with animal torturers.

"Canada is slowly starting to catch up to the States, but they are really leading the charge on this kind of research. The first thing that happens during these types of animal cases in the States is the automatic fabrication of an in-depth psychological profile. It's becoming more common in Canada, but we're still behind. The best way to determine if these accused in Camrose are a true future threat is to look deeper into their lives."