Shadow Boxing

A Blog that Probes the Mind's Dark Secrets

by Katherine Ramsland

How to Catch a Serial Killer

Do serial killers want to get caught? Some experts say their errors show a subconscious desire to stop. Regardless of what motivates it, we've seen a wide range of surprising mistakes. Read More

Jill vs. Jack the Ripper

Every year, there's a new theory about Jack the Ripper's identity. Could he have been a she? Can we even know? Read More

Dork Shadows?

Tim Burton's upcoming Dark Shadows movie has sparked a reaction from fans of the series, pitting interpretive visions against each other. Can we accommodate both? Read More

Skulls of the Smart and Famous

It was once believed that the skulls of geniuses held all their secrets. A book about the black market for these postmortem artifacts offers plenty of amusement. Read More

Mass Murderers With a Mission

Conflicting psychiatric testimony in high profile trials brings attention to just how tricky a definitive diagnosis can be. Read More

When Oscar Bolin Jr. received another murder conviction this week, the woman who left her husband for him was in the media spotlight as well. She's not alone in making such seemingly unfathomable decisions. Read More

Cracking the Killing Code

Today's neuroscience has made more progress in a decade for identifying sources of criminal cognition than the best psychiatric efforts over the past century. But it is those early visionaries on whose shoulders they stand. Read More

Crime Beat Becomes Crime Tweet

Twitter offers cops a safe and productive way to involve their communities in crime-fighting efforts. Read More

When Should Kids Learn about Evil?

A popular TV show, Mad Men, depicted a child reaction to a violent massacre, raising the issue of how long we can (and should) protect children from awareness of evil. Read More

When Nurses Kill

When nurses turn into killers, they betray an entire social institution that relies on relationships of trust. Prevention requires education, observation, and cooperation at all levels. Read More

Invitation to Dine with Ghosts

I like things that challenge my ideas about reality. When I received an invitation to a unique event at a haunted hotel, I didn't hesitate for a moment. Read More

Trail of Fears

Incidents of recent violence by military vets raise questions about the military's evaluation of soldiers at risk. Regular and detailed screening might be merited when certain red flags show up. Read More

Triad of Evil

The notion that bed-wetting, fire-setting, and animal cruelty signal the development of a serial killer should be revised. Despite its easy simplicity, we really don't know if this triad of evil is predictive. Read More

Sleep On It

An age-old formula for dissolving an impasse is to sleep on it. This also works for inspiring new ideas. But taking preparatory steps before going to bed can maximize sleep for its full creative potential. Read More

Murder Tourism

The recent protest over Dahmer murder tours in Milwaukee raises the question of when it's OK to visit infamous crime scenes. What protocol can we devise to tread the fine line between respectful curiosity and invasive gawking? Read More

Lost Boys

Kids who kill have learned to perceive violence as an appropriate resolution. Intervention must focus as much on cognitive processes as external influences. Read More

Casey Anthony a Hot Topic for Scientists

When scientists clash over methods and facts, they often don't recognize the role that their needs play in their interpretations. Recent debates about evidence used in the Casey Anthony trial highlight psychological factors. Read More

Out to Get You

Last week I wrote about serial killers who pass as normal. Some readers thought I meant that they give off no signals of their intent. More often, we're vulnerable because we don't know how to read them. Read More

Do You Know a Serial Killer?

We tend to see what we want to see, and most of us don't want to believe that criminals might be just a breath away. Our preference for safety and trust can make us vulnerable to serial killers who seek to pass as normal. Read More

Celebrity Stalkers

The recent escape and and apprehension of Robert Dewey Hoskins, a former Madonna stalker, shines light on the issue of celebrity fixation. In a culture that promotes it, we should not be surprised by those who emerge from its dark side. Read More

Fatal Fathers

When stress builds up in families, overwhelmed fathers might ponder suicide. As with Josh Powell, deadly thoughts can include the children. What makes some men decide to kill their kids? Read More

Baiting Predators

If your child wanted to correspond with serial killers, what would you say? The answer might seem simple, but in some cases, it’s complicated. A unique look at serial killers through the eyes of a young man with a brain injury raises intriguing questions. Read More

Addicted to Lies

We're often surprised when people lie easily and persistently, even when it's clear they'll be exposed. Casey Anthony gained as much attention for this behavior as for her status as an alleged child-killer. What's behind it? Read More

Post-Dahmer Stress Disorder?

Just because we've endured intense stress doesn't mean we now have license to harm others. No matter what an attorney might argue, PTSD does not erase the awareness of right and wrong. Read More

What Do You Say to a Teenage Murderess?

What can one say to a teenage girl who either wielded a weapon or masterminded a fatal assault? So far, we have solid data on treatments only for boys at risk for psychopathy. What about the girls? Read More

Seeking Serial Killers

Using a serial killer to help solve crimes is the stuff of fiction. Until now. A true crime writer teams with a criminal profiler to get a new perspective on cold cases. They use a serial killer to learn more about the motives and methods involved, allowing viewers of their new TV series to hear what this killer has to say. Read More

Head Shots

First, a human head turned up in a plastic bag. Then a hand, another hand, and two feet. A man had been murdered, dismembered and dumped in the Hollywood hills for the animals. A pair of dogs found the head in a bag on a hiking trail on Tuesday and began to play. Their owners caught up, looked inside the bag, and supposedly thought it was a movie prop, so they took photos. Read More

Can't Touch This!

Joran van der Sloot, scheduled to plead guilty to murder earlier this month, wanted more time to "reflect" on the deal he would make. He seemed to think that the court should accommodate him, and even yawned widely to punctuate his arrogance. Certain offenders display a perplexing resilience. It's called narcissistic immunity, or "Teflon narcissism." They think they're special. Read More