Shadow Boxing

Law and Crime

The Value of True Crime

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on February 25, 2026

An argument that our fascination with true crime is a species-protective response fails to address why we keep getting duped (and harmed) by sophisticated predators.

An argument that our fascination with true crime is a species-protective response fails to address why we keep getting duped (and harmed) by sophisticated predators.

Psychopathy

Is the Psychopathy Checklist Unsuitable for Court?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on February 12, 2026

A study finds flaws in the use of scores from psychopathy tests in court, but fails to address the influence on juries of cultural portrayals of psychopathy.

A study finds flaws in the use of scores from psychopathy tests in court, but fails to address the influence on juries of cultural portrayals of psychopathy.

Forensic Psychology

Did She Die the Way They Say?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on January 30, 2026

A pending appeal in a recent murder conviction challenges the use of a psychological method that helps to distinguish suicide from homicide.

A pending appeal in a recent murder conviction challenges the use of a psychological method that helps to distinguish suicide from homicide.

Artificial Intelligence

Will AI Help Predict Future Killers?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on January 16, 2026

Some kids plan to kill. Can we discover who they are before they do? A program that combines neural and clinical data via machine learning shows predictive promise.

Some kids plan to kill. Can we discover who they are before they do? A program that combines neural and clinical data via machine learning shows predictive promise.

Trauma Bonding

‘Trauma Bonding’ Might Not Be Quite What You Think

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on December 15, 2025

Trauma bonding, a phrase that typically refers to an abuse cycle, has been used in other contexts; the resulting confusion isn't helpful.

Trauma bonding, a phrase that typically refers to an abuse cycle, has been used in other contexts; the resulting confusion isn't helpful.

Suicide

Death By Design: Making Sense of Solicited Self-Murder

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on December 5, 2025

A recent arrest in Florida highlights the notion of solicited suicide and the legal system's tendency to skirt mental illness complications.

A recent arrest in Florida highlights the notion of solicited suicide and the legal system's tendency to skirt mental illness complications.

Serial Killers

Is Aileen Wuornos the Queen of Serial Killers?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on November 14, 2025

Netflix has labeled Aileen Wuornos as the queen of the serial killers, but compared to others, she doesn't stand out. Such titles only mislead.

Netflix has labeled Aileen Wuornos as the queen of the serial killers, but compared to others, she doesn't stand out. Such titles only mislead.

Serial Killers

My Neighbor, the Madman

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on October 23, 2025

Jamie Gehring grew up next door to the Unabomber. Later in life, she explored how she hadn't seen what a dangerous man he was, including to her and her family.

Jamie Gehring grew up next door to the Unabomber. Later in life, she explored how she hadn't seen what a dangerous man he was, including to her and her family.

Psychopathy

The Psychopath Test, Examined

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on October 9, 2025

A recent article that attacks the use of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised in the case of Robert Roberson offers a poor evaluation of possible damage.

A recent article that attacks the use of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised in the case of Robert Roberson offers a poor evaluation of possible damage.

Forensic Psychology

The Expert Witness, the Keeper of Values

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on September 29, 2025

Renowned psychiatric nurse Ann Burgess, a former FBI consultant, describes her work as an expert witness for sexual assault victims, including Erik Menendez.

Renowned psychiatric nurse Ann Burgess, a former FBI consultant, describes her work as an expert witness for sexual assault victims, including Erik Menendez.

Trauma

The Complexity of Surviving an Abduction

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on August 26, 2025

A new book about a serial killer's abduction of Shasta and Dylan Groene will shake you to your core but might also make you think about the lifelong ordeal of abduction survivors.

A new book about a serial killer's abduction of Shasta and Dylan Groene will shake you to your core but might also make you think about the lifelong ordeal of abduction survivors.

Serial Killers

Ted Bundy’s Advice for Talking to Killers

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on August 10, 2025

A new documentary features the interviews that the late Detective Bob Keppel undertook with Ted Bundy to close his murder cases in Washington State.

A new documentary features the interviews that the late Detective Bob Keppel undertook with Ted Bundy to close his murder cases in Washington State.

Serial Killers

Monsters May Be Closer Than They Appear

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on July 25, 2025

A Peacock documentary shows the wife of a suspected serial killer denying the evidence; this might be due to a cognitive disadvantage inherent in close relationships.

A Peacock documentary shows the wife of a suspected serial killer denying the evidence; this might be due to a cognitive disadvantage inherent in close relationships.

Serial Killers

3 Reasons We Dismiss Cops Who Deny Rumors

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on July 15, 2025

Cops deny that serial killers are loose in New England and Texas, but the rumors persist. Here's why.

Cops deny that serial killers are loose in New England and Texas, but the rumors persist. Here's why.

Serial Killers

How to Classify a Serial Killer

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on June 29, 2025

Although an internet search on classifications of serial killers might turn up just one, there are multiple systems, depending on the purpose of the research that grounds them.

Although an internet search on classifications of serial killers might turn up just one, there are multiple systems, depending on the purpose of the research that grounds them.

Psychopathy

Good News and Bad News—"I’m a Psychopath"

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on June 15, 2025

Serial killer Stephen Stanko was just executed, but the arguments from neuroscience that failed to save him still have force.

Serial killer Stephen Stanko was just executed, but the arguments from neuroscience that failed to save him still have force.

Serial Killers

Did a Movie Line Inspire a Murder Spree?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on May 29, 2025

An upcoming trial involving five linked murders will likely include an analysis of the suspect's viewing of videos that feature "greatest" movie lines related to killing.

An upcoming trial involving five linked murders will likely include an analysis of the suspect's viewing of videos that feature "greatest" movie lines related to killing.

Law and Crime

A Mind-Mapping Technique to Find the Missing

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on April 28, 2025

A criminal psychologist adapts an effective tool from counter-terrorism for the search for missing people and bodies.

A criminal psychologist adapts an effective tool from counter-terrorism for the search for missing people and bodies.

Serial Killers

Are All Serial Killers Psychopaths?

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on April 9, 2025

A research group used a scientific analysis to determine whether a group of serial killers thought to be psychopaths actually qualify for this diagnosis.

A research group used a scientific analysis to determine whether a group of serial killers thought to be psychopaths actually qualify for this diagnosis.

Serial Killers

Finding Closure Through New Leads in Cold Cases

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D. on March 26, 2025

Two anthropological efforts to identify victims from older crime cases have brought renewed public interest, recent leads, and the possibility of filling in holes.

Two anthropological efforts to identify victims from older crime cases have brought renewed public interest, recent leads, and the possibility of filling in holes.