History

FBI agent looking at a criminal profile. There is a detective board in the background of the photo.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Does Criminal Profiling Work?
Posted May 22, 2023 Written by Claire

Last week I discussed what criminal profiling is and its history, particularly related to the FBI and how it is […]

Desk with papers spread on it
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Criminal Profiling
Posted May 8, 2023 Written by Claire

Crime fascinates many people, especially when it’s violent. For some, this is because it’s difficult to understand what compels someone […]

A man in a suit against a dark background holding a playing card up towards the camera. It is the ace of hearts.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: The Calling Cards of Killers
Posted April 10, 2023 Written by Claire

While “calling card” has a context in crime, the term has its origins in an 18th century social practice. Often, […]

A man in a business suit holding a blank masquerade mask
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Copycat Killers
Posted March 27, 2023 Written by Claire

You’ve undoubtedly heard the term “copycat killer.” It’s often used as a popular trope in crime dramas and police procedurals […]

Photograph of an open dictionary on a desk. On top of the pages is a magnifying glass.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Origins of a Serial Killer
Posted February 13, 2023 Written by Claire

What makes a serial killer? While that’s a provocative question, I mean it here in the most literal sense: What, […]

Dark photo of a female detective looking at a cork board. On the board there are notes and newspaper clippings.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: The Golden Age of Serial Killers
Posted January 16, 2023 Written by Claire

John Wayne Gacy. Jeffrey Dahmer. Ted Bundy. The Zodiac Killer. Son of Sam. Even people who don’t actively seek out […]

A picture of someone working at a desk covered in evidence bags, folders, and documents related to a criminal investigation
Things You Should Know But Don’t: The FBI & Forensic Science
Posted December 19, 2022 Written by Claire

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation was created in 1908 by Attorney General Charles Bonaparte. At the time, the U.S. […]

Dark wooden cellar door open at bottom of old stone stairs bright sun light rays shining in
Things You Should Know But Don’t: America’s First Serial Killer
Posted September 26, 2022 Written by Claire

The period from 1970 until the late 1990s is popularly known as the “Golden Age” of serial killers in the […]

A wooden shelf with antique glass bottles. The bottles contain various medicines, poisons, and chemicals.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Minnie Wallace
Posted August 1, 2022 Written by Claire

Did you know that monetary gain is one of the top reasons that serial killers, and murderers in general, kill […]

A closeup image of the handle of a brown, vintage suitcase. It is filtered with a sepia tone.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: New Orleans Trunk Murders
Posted July 18, 2022 Written by Claire

Continuing our true crime tour of New Orleans, next up is the gruesome murders of Theresa and Leonide Moity—more widely […]

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