True Crime

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 […]

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Things You Should Know But Don’t: Crime Mapping & Forecasting
Posted February 27, 2023 Written by Claire

The other week I gave an overview of how AI is currently being used by police in criminal investigations. In […]

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, […]

A photo of scientists working in a lab with an overlay of graphics on top. The graphics depict icons of DNA, charts, beakers, and other scientific instruments.
Things You Should Know But Don’t: How Forensic Science Uses AI
Posted January 30, 2023 Written by Claire

If you’ve heard anything about artificial intelligence (AI) recently, it has most likely concerned its impact on the artistic community […]

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. […]

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Things You Should Know But Don’t: What Works in Forensic Science
Posted December 5, 2022 Written by Claire

In my last blog, I discussed the ways that a lot of forensic science in pop culture is taken on […]

Typewriter, fingerprints and papers on desk in office. Detective's workplace
Things You Should Know But Don’t: Pitfalls of Forensic Science
Posted November 21, 2022 Written by Claire

If you’re a fan of true crime, you’re likely familiar with many of the forensic methods police and detectives use […]