Can Serial Killers Feel Remorse?

A serial killer turns himself in. Is he actually sorry for what he did?

A serial killer turns himself in. Is he actually sorry for what he did?

Is True Crime Too Trendy?

Personal Perspective: Murders committed by true-crime fans, and social-media discussions about Jeffrey Dahmer's sexiness, spark curiosity about why this trend is booming now.

Personal Perspective: Murders committed by true-crime fans, and social-media discussions about Jeffrey Dahmer's sexiness, spark curiosity about why this trend is booming now.

Why the True Crime Audience Is Predominantly Female

Women’s fascination with true crime is driven by their empathetic nature.

Women’s fascination with true crime is driven by their empathetic nature.

Can Artificial Intelligence Detect Dangerous People?

Are you living next to an axe murderer? Don’t ask AI—unless you plan to pair automated information with human intuition.

Are you living next to an axe murderer? Don’t ask AI—unless you plan to pair automated information with human intuition.

Do Serial Killers Have Unique Insight?

Must we really consult a Hannibal Lecter to enhance the chance of catching other killers? The truth might surprise you.

Must we really consult a Hannibal Lecter to enhance the chance of catching other killers? The truth might surprise you.

What Happens When a Staged Suicide Is Missed?

Few things are more devastating to a family that a loss by suicide. It's tough for first responders, too. Is it any surprise that some murderers take advantage of this?

Few things are more devastating to a family that a loss by suicide. It's tough for first responders, too. Is it any surprise that some murderers take advantage of this?

How Do Serial Killers Want to Be Remembered?

Briar Lee Mitchell interviewed a group of serial killers about their post-incarceration experience and self-perception for her new book.

Briar Lee Mitchell interviewed a group of serial killers about their post-incarceration experience and self-perception for her new book.

Why We're Interested in Serial Killer Manifestos

There's a desire to understand the darker side of the human species that is hidden in the shadows of the mind.

There's a desire to understand the darker side of the human species that is hidden in the shadows of the mind.

The Psychiatrist and the Strangler

The recent Hulu movie about the Boston Strangler focuses on the work of two female reporters but plays loose with the truth about the person in whom DeSalvo wanted to confide.

The recent Hulu movie about the Boston Strangler focuses on the work of two female reporters but plays loose with the truth about the person in whom DeSalvo wanted to confide.

The Capture of Serial Killer Dennis Rader, BTK

Dennis Rader had wanted badly to be a police officer, and it exposed a weakness in him that was exploited by a savvy police lieutenant.

Dennis Rader had wanted badly to be a police officer, and it exposed a weakness in him that was exploited by a savvy police lieutenant.

Idaho College Slayings: Does Motive Matter?

Motive plays an essential role in sense-making at various stages of the criminal justice process for the jurors and layman.

Motive plays an essential role in sense-making at various stages of the criminal justice process for the jurors and layman.

My Daddy’s a Serial Killer

A woman in Iowa claims her father's one of the country's top serial killers. Is there any reason to doubt her?

A woman in Iowa claims her father's one of the country's top serial killers. Is there any reason to doubt her?

How Can a Healthcare Serial Killer Be Spotted and Stopped?

"The Good Nurse," about healthcare serial killer Charles Cullen, shows systemic healthcare failures but falls short on his predatory motives.

"The Good Nurse," about healthcare serial killer Charles Cullen, shows systemic healthcare failures but falls short on his predatory motives.

Can Serial Killers Be Cured?

The Hulu series, "The Patient," features a serial killer seeking therapy to stop his killing. Research suggests his efforts may not be totally in vain.

The Hulu series, "The Patient," features a serial killer seeking therapy to stop his killing. Research suggests his efforts may not be totally in vain.

Nurses Who Kill Babies Exploit Systems of Trust

An ongoing trial of a nurse accused of killing babies spotlights both motive and the need for improved safeguards for the most vulnerable patients.

An ongoing trial of a nurse accused of killing babies spotlights both motive and the need for improved safeguards for the most vulnerable patients.

Sniper Serial Killers' Narrow Range of Motives

The Stockton serial killer might have a mission that can assist law enforcement to anticipate his future moves.

The Stockton serial killer might have a mission that can assist law enforcement to anticipate his future moves.

The Dark Secret Behind Jeffrey Dahmer's Sex Appeal

How can we understand the apparent appeal of serial murderers?

How can we understand the apparent appeal of serial murderers?

Journalists Who Analyze Criminal Minds Might Be Making Monsters

Crime journalists who enhance facts about killers with fictional ploys risk the credibility of their profession.

Crime journalists who enhance facts about killers with fictional ploys risk the credibility of their profession.

How Many Chances Should a Serial Killer Get?

Serial killer Colin Pitchfork was released from prison after almost thirty years. Two months later, he was back behind bars after violating parole. Did the system work or fail?

Serial killer Colin Pitchfork was released from prison after almost thirty years. Two months later, he was back behind bars after violating parole. Did the system work or fail?

What You Know About Serial Killers May Be Wrong

From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy to current unidentified murderers, we have learned a lot about the psychology of serial killers, but we still keep asking “why?”

From Jack the Ripper to Ted Bundy to current unidentified murderers, we have learned a lot about the psychology of serial killers, but we still keep asking “why?”

The Woman Who Loved a Body Snatcher

A sensational 19th-century case shows the impact of cognitive anchoring and expectation when the trial process fails to produce the "right" result.

A sensational 19th-century case shows the impact of cognitive anchoring and expectation when the trial process fails to produce the "right" result.

3 Key Takeaways from Listening to Killers

Psychological interviews of serial killers reveal the complexities of motivation and suggest the best interview approach.

Psychological interviews of serial killers reveal the complexities of motivation and suggest the best interview approach.

Moral Panic and The Raglan Cat Killer

What is the deeper psychological significance of the Croydon and Raglan Cat Killer scares?

What is the deeper psychological significance of the Croydon and Raglan Cat Killer scares?

Rethinking the Murderer's Accomplice

Criminological researchers often miss the psychological nuances of the accomplice's role on murder teams. A typology helps.

Criminological researchers often miss the psychological nuances of the accomplice's role on murder teams. A typology helps.

Are Dangerous Women Accurately Portrayed by the Media?

Hollywood femme fatales are often featured as the stars of blockbuster movies. But research investigates the real danger violent women pose.

Hollywood femme fatales are often featured as the stars of blockbuster movies. But research investigates the real danger violent women pose.

How to Spot and Survive a Narcissistic Boss

Is your career and well-being at risk with a narcissistic boss? Escape their clutches by first understanding the nature of the beast.

Is your career and well-being at risk with a narcissistic boss? Escape their clutches by first understanding the nature of the beast.

What Drives the Desire for "Murderabilia"?

Why some people are so drawn to collecting items associated with killers and their crimes—and where the practice first started.

Why some people are so drawn to collecting items associated with killers and their crimes—and where the practice first started.

Why We Are Fascinated by Serial Killers

Why are we intrigued by serial killers? Our ability to mentally simulate experiences and our evolutionary relationship with predators may be to blame.

Why are we intrigued by serial killers? Our ability to mentally simulate experiences and our evolutionary relationship with predators may be to blame.

The Reluctant Accomplice and Temporary Psychopath

Reluctant accomplices on killing teams might suppress their normal feelings to comply, but there's hope for their eventual recovery.

Reluctant accomplices on killing teams might suppress their normal feelings to comply, but there's hope for their eventual recovery.

Serial Killer TV Shows Are Escapism for True Crime Fans

Experiencing horror in a safe and non-lethal environment can be very appealing, exciting, and serve the purpose of managing fear for many people.

Experiencing horror in a safe and non-lethal environment can be very appealing, exciting, and serve the purpose of managing fear for many people.