Throughout the history of the world, many notorious criminals have made their work known. The stories of these people have been told in various ways. True crime has fascinated people’s minds for years. People wonder if learning about the unknown might somehow protect them. While trying to protect oneself, there are various reasons for how one might just get trapped in the world of true crime. 

Being interested in true crime is nothing strange. It’s very common to be a little curious about the unknown. A forensic psychologist, Dr. Paul G. Mattiuzzi, describes our interest as, “we’re drawn to the tension between good and evil, and true crime embodies our fascination with that dynamic,” (www.mentalfloss.com). It is no surprise that evil can interest those who read about it, but what also pulls people in is how anyone can be the perpetrator or the victim in some cases. 

The unsettling fact to most people is that they can’t identify a criminal. Their mindset is still being studied as more get caught with further research. Now, researchers have been able to notice early signs of those who are on track to becoming a serial killer. Lorenzo Artola (11) commented on his interest in true crime, “It’s scary knowing that you walk past a few serial killers in your life. What is worse is being unaware of who you put your trust in.” There is a downside to studying the minds of those who lead a life of crime as they soon learn how to lie their way around everything; however, this research group can help prevent these people from going down a dark path. 

Serial killers have become the most recognizable group of the true-crime world. The FBI stated that there could be over 3,000 active serial killers in the United States alone. Women have been reported to be less likely to get caught, unlike men. Researchers describe females to be more clever in just how they get rid of the evidence. The first woman known to be caught was Aileen Wuornos in the 1990s for the murder of seven men. After her arrest, people began to wonder just how many women were getting away with murder. On the other side, men have been known to be less careful when getting caught with murder. Throughout American history, many famous serial killers have been caught dating back all the way to the 1800s with H.H. Holmes. They all have a story to tell and people love to listen.

Movies have been made either inspired by these figures or about them. Without a doubt, Hollywood has shed a bigger light on some of the most famous criminals this world has ever seen. Serial killers like Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer have starred in many documentaries. Series have been formed to give notice on just what is going on with those who were convicted. These shows and movies have taken part in the true crime world. The Netflix original, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile, focused on the famous serial killer Ted Bundy and the perspective of his girlfriend when he was convicted. The original was a hit, sparking other documentaries like Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes. 

People today love to learn about the criminals of the past. Whether they find it just interesting, a way to protect themselves, or to learn about the unknown, these criminals’ stories will always be shared. The records of their notorious crimes will fascinate many people for various reasons, but it is still unknown to why we have a love for their tales.