Investigator Answers True Crime Questions From Twitter | Tech Support | WIRED

WIRED
31 Oct 202319:09
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TLDRIn this informative and engaging episode of 'True Crime Support', criminologist Jillian Peterson addresses a variety of intriguing questions related to criminal investigations and the psychology of crime. She discusses the commonality of spouses as suspects in murder cases, the low clearance rate for cold cases, and the historical context of infamous serial killers like Jack the Ripper. Peterson also touches on the phenomenon of 'Citizen Sleuths', the motivations behind serial killers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on murder rates. She further explores the reasons behind the United States' high murder rate compared to other developed countries, the subtle signs of psychopathy, the distinction between sociopaths and psychopaths, and the decline in gun murder rates despite increased gun ownership. The discussion also covers the unsettling aspects of family annihilators, the reasons behind certain serial killers' choice of victims, and the influence of media on criminal behavior. Peterson concludes with insights into the characteristics of serial killers, their professions, and the factors contributing to the decrease in their activities in recent years.

Takeaways
  • ๐Ÿ” Spouses are often the first suspects in female homicides, with 35-50% of cases involving current or former partners.
  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ The clearance rate for murder in the U.S. is around 50%, with many cases remaining unsolved due to a decrease in police officers and an increase in homicides.
  • ๐Ÿ—๏ธ Jack the Ripper was a real serial killer in Victorian England, with theories and rumors surrounding his identity, including a possible but unproven connection to Thomas Cream.
  • ๐Ÿ‘ฎโ€โ™€๏ธ Citizen sleuths, or amateur investigators, have helped solve cases but can also cause harm by falsely accusing innocent individuals.
  • ๐Ÿง  Motivations for serial killers often fall into three categories: power and control, sexual motivation, and hallucinations or delusions.
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆ Homicide rates increased significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, possibly due to financial strain, stress, and changes in policing.
  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ The U.S. has a higher murder rate compared to similarly developed countries, with 4.382 homicides per 100,000 residents.
  • ๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™‚๏ธ Psychopaths can live undetected among us, often found in high-stress careers without necessarily being violent or criminal.
  • ๐Ÿค” The terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' are often used interchangeably, but 'psychopath' is the term more commonly used in criminology today.
  • ๐Ÿ”ซ Despite a significant increase in gun ownership in the U.S., the relationship between gun availability and murder rates is complex and not straightforward.
  • ๐Ÿšจ Mass shootings are often carried out by current or former students of the school, with perpetrators typically coming from homes with a history of violence and abuse.
Q & A
  • What percentage of female murder victims are killed by their spouse or partner?

    -35 to 50% of female murder victims are killed by either a current spouse or partner, or a former spouse or partner.

  • What is the current clearance rate for murder in the United States?

    -The current clearance rate for murder in the United States is about 50%.

  • Did Jack the Ripper really exist, and what was the context of his crimes?

    -Jack the Ripper did exist and committed a series of violent and gruesome murders in Victorian England, a period marked by a high level of violence.

  • What is the term for individuals who attempt to solve crimes after listening to podcasts or following social media?

    -These individuals are known as 'Citizen Sleuths'.

  • What are the three general categories of motivation for serial killers?

    -The three general categories of motivation for serial killers are power and control, sexual motivation or fantasy, and hallucinations.

  • Why have homicides specifically spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic?

    -Homicides spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a variety of factors, including financial strain, stress, and changes in policing practices such as de-policing.

  • What is the homicide rate per 100,000 residents in the United States compared to other developed countries?

    -The United States has a homicide rate of 4.382 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than most other developed countries like those in Europe, Canada, and Australia.

  • How do psychopaths typically behave in professions like law enforcement or politics?

    -Psychopaths in such professions may not show signs of being a psychopath, but they might have trouble reading other people's emotions and could mimic emotions without truly feeling them.

  • What was the trend in gun murder rates in the United States from the 1990s to the present?

    -The gun murder rate was extremely high in the 1990s, went down in the 2000s and 2010s, and has seen a resurgence in the last five years, particularly the last two years.

  • What is the typical gender of mass shooters?

    -98% of mass shooters are male.

  • Why do many school shooters target their own schools?

    -Many school shooters are current or former students targeting their own schools due to grievances or feelings of belonging to a group with similar perpetrators.

  • How has technology affected the prevalence of serial killers in recent years?

    -Advances in technology, particularly DNA analysis, and changes in human behavior have significantly reduced the prevalence of serial killers in recent years.

Outlines
00:00
๐Ÿ•ต๏ธโ€โ™€๏ธ True Crime Insights and Spouse Suspects

Jillian Peterson, a criminologist and former investigator, addresses common questions about crime. She confirms that spouses are often the first suspects in cases of female murder, with 35-50% being killed by a partner. She also discusses the low clearance rate for murder, attributing it to increased homicides and a decrease in police officers. Peterson dispels the myth that only 1% of cold cases are solved. She touches on the historical mystery of Jack the Ripper and the possibility of Thomas Cream being the killer, despite evidence to the contrary. Citizen sleuths, individuals who attempt to solve crimes via podcasts or social media, are highlighted, with examples including the January 6th riots and the Gabby Petito case. However, she notes the risks of false accusations. The motivations behind serial killings are categorized into power and control, sexual motivation, and hallucinations, with examples given for each. A rise in murders during the COVID-19 pandemic is noted, with a significant spike in homicide rates.

05:01
๐Ÿ—ฝ America's Murder Rate and Psychopaths in Society

The United States is compared to other developed countries, showing a higher homicide rate at 4.382 per 100,000 residents. While not the worst globally, it stands out among similar nations. The discussion moves to psychopathy, noting that it can go undetected and is common in certain industries. The difference between a sociopath and a psychopath is explored, with the latter being the clinical term of choice. The question of gun murder rates decreasing while gun ownership increases is addressed, with a counterpoint that the murder rate has recently increased. The number of unexplained missing persons is highlighted, with most being young people but many still unaccounted for. The prevalence of male mass shooters is noted, with most targeting their own schools. The choice of schools as targets is linked to the perpetrators' personal grievances and desire for notoriety.

10:01
๐Ÿ“บ The Influence of Crime Shows and America's Serial Killers

Concerns about criminals learning from crime television are dismissed, as studies show no significant 'CSI Effect' causing criminals to become more adept. Samuel Little, America's most prolific serial killer, is mentioned, with his confession to over 90 murders. His victims were often marginalized women, and his crimes spanned from 1970 to 2005. Jobs that might be overrepresented among serial killers are explored, with examples including mechanics and truck drivers. The recent case of a British nurse and historical patterns of nurses committing serial murders are discussed, noting the profession's ability to facilitate poisonings that can go undetected. The typical age when serial killers start is later than other forms of violence, usually in their mid to late 20s. The Zodiac Killer's case is summarized, including his taunting letters and ciphers, and the lack of a conclusive suspect. The appeal of serial killers to some women, resulting in marriage proposals while in prison, is acknowledged as a phenomenon.

15:04
๐Ÿž๏ธ Missing Hikers and the Changing Landscape of Serial Killing

The public's fascination with the criminal justice system through television is contrasted with the reality of how criminals consume media. The phenomenon of family annihilators is explored, with a spike in 2019 and a general understanding of the profile of the perpetrators. Jeffrey Dahmer's acts of cannibalism are questioned, with theories suggesting a desire for dominance or a misguided attempt at connection. The impact of technology on the reduction of serial killings is highlighted, with advancements in DNA and changes in societal behavior making it harder for serial killers to operate undetected. The discussion concludes with the likelihood that a serial killer like Ted Bundy would not succeed in the present day. The risk of hiking as an activity that can be exploited by motivated offenders is also mentioned, tying into the Routine Activities theory of crime.

Mindmap
Keywords
๐Ÿ’กSpouse as suspect
In the context of criminal investigations, especially when a woman is murdered, the spouse is often the first suspect considered. This is because a significant percentage of female homicide victims are killed by their current or former partners. The script highlights that after ruling out other motives like robbery or gang violence, the spouse becomes the most likely suspect, which is central to understanding the common dynamics in murder cases.
๐Ÿ’กCold cases
Cold cases refer to criminal cases that have not been solved and are no longer actively pursued by law enforcement. The script mentions that only a small percentage of these cases are ever solved, which reflects the challenges and limitations in crime-solving, especially when it comes to older cases with limited evidence or leads.
๐Ÿ’กSerial killers
Serial killers are individuals who commit multiple murders over a period of time, often driven by psychological compulsions. The video discusses various motivations for serial killers, including power and control, sexual motivation, and hallucinations. It also touches upon the historical aspects, such as the case of Jack the Ripper, and the modern challenges in identifying and capturing such criminals.
๐Ÿ’กCitizen Sleuths
Citizen Sleuths are individuals who engage in amateur detective work, often spurred by listening to podcasts or following true crime stories on social media. The script provides examples such as the January 6th riots and the Gabby Petito case, where online communities played a role in identifying suspects or providing clues. However, it also warns of the potential risks, including false accusations and the harm caused to innocent individuals.
๐Ÿ’กHomicide rate
The homicide rate is a statistical measure of the number of murders per a certain number of inhabitants over a specified period of time. The video discusses the homicide rate in the United States, comparing it with other countries and historical trends. It highlights an increase during the COVID-19 pandemic and notes the complexity of factors contributing to these statistics.
๐Ÿ’กPsychopathy
Psychopathy is a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, and egotistical traits. The script explores the concept of psychopathy in relation to its presence in various professions and how it differs from criminal behavior. It also mentions the difficulty in detecting a psychopath in everyday life unless they exhibit trouble reading or mimicking emotions.
๐Ÿ’กSociopath vs. Psychopath
The terms sociopath and psychopath are often used interchangeably in popular culture, but within the criminology field, the term psychopath is more commonly used and has a clinical definition. The script notes that while 'sociopath' was more prevalent in the '80s and '90s, the field has since shifted towards using 'psychopath' as it is more definable and testable.
๐Ÿ’กMass shootings
Mass shootings are incidents involving multiple victims shot by a single shooter within a short period, often in a public place. The video addresses the gender of mass shooters, with 98% being male, and delves into the reasons why schools are targeted, revealing that most perpetrators are current or former students acting out of grievances.
๐Ÿ’กForensic science
Forensic science is the application of scientific principles to the investigation of criminal and civil cases, especially in the recovery and analysis of physical evidence. The script discusses how advances in forensics, particularly DNA tracing, have contributed to the decline in serial killings, as it has become more challenging for criminals to evade detection.
๐Ÿ’กMissing persons
Missing persons refers to individuals who have disappeared and whose status as alive or dead is unknown. The video provides statistics on the number of people who go missing each year and discusses the percentage that are typically found. It also touches upon the tragic cases that remain unresolved.
๐Ÿ’กFamily annihilators
Family annihilators are individuals, typically men, who kill their spouse and children, often followed by suicide. The script describes this tragic phenomenon, noting that while it may seem like it's happening more often due to media exposure, the actual number has fluctuated over time. These cases are marked by a desire for control and are often linked to a history of domestic violence.
Highlights

The spouse is often the first suspect in female murders, with 35-50% being killed by a current or former partner.

Only about 50% of murders are solved in the U.S., with a significant increase in unsolved cases due to a decrease in police officers and rise in homicides.

Jack the Ripper did exist and committed a series of gruesome murders in Victorian England, with the true identity still unknown.

Citizen sleuths, or amateur investigators spurred by true crime podcasts, have helped solve some cases but can also cause harm by falsely accusing innocent people.

Serial killers are typically motivated by power/control, sexual fantasies, or hallucinations, with differences observed in brain areas like the amygdala.

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the largest year-on-year increase in homicides, possibly due to factors like financial strain, stress, and changes in policing.

The U.S. has a higher homicide rate compared to similarly developed countries, with 4.382 murders per 100,000 residents.

Psychopathy can go undetected with some individuals showing no signs, often found in high-stress industries like entertainment, law enforcement, and politics.

The terms 'sociopath' and 'psychopath' are used interchangeably, though 'psychopath' is more commonly used in criminology today.

Contrary to popular belief, gun murder rates have increased in recent years despite a decline in the 2000s, with about 120 gun-related deaths daily in the U.S.

About half a million people go missing each year, with 90% found and 10% remaining unaccounted for.

98% of mass shooters are male, often targeting their own schools with most being current or former students.

Small town dynamics and lack of independent investigations can hinder solving high-profile crimes, as seen in the case of Chris Watts.

The CSI Effect has influenced juror expectations but not shown to make criminals more adept at avoiding detection.

Samuel Little is America's most prolific serial killer, confessed to over 90 murders, primarily of vulnerable women like sex workers and drug addicts.

Some professions like mechanics, truck drivers, and police officers may be overrepresented among serial killers due to the ease of committing and concealing crimes.

Female serial killers are often found in caring professions like nursing, with poisoning being a common method that can go undetected.

Serial killers typically start killing in their mid to late 20s, later than other forms of violence.

The Zodiac Killer remains unidentified despite numerous suspects and unique behaviors like sending ciphers and letters to newspapers.

Serial killers in prison receive many marriage proposals from women who are romantically drawn to their dangerous and harmful capabilities.

Family annihilators, who kill their family and themselves, have shown a spike in recent years but are not a new phenomenon, often driven by control and suicidality.

Jeffrey Dahmer's acts of cannibalism were likely driven by a desire for complete dominance and control over his victims, as well as a need to connect with them.

Advances in technology and changes in behavior have greatly reduced serial killing since its peak in the 1970s-1990s, making it unlikely for a modern Ted Bundy to evade capture.

Missing hikers are often victims of accidents, but also a setting for murders, highlighting the lack of guardianship and ease of making crimes appear accidental.

Transcripts
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