Shadow Boxing

A blog that probes the mind's dark secrets

Katherine Ramsland Ph.D.

The Fetal Snatcher: Desperate to Be a Mom

Some wannabe moms are so desperate for a baby they're willing to commit shocking crimes to get one.

Leonarda Cianciulli

Accidental Cannibalism: Why Killers Serve Bodies as Food

A recent case in Russia made me think about why some killers turn their victims into "treats" for others.

Crime in the Time of COVID: A Year in Review

The pandemic affected crime rates in both positive and negative ways, and there was steady news about serial killers.

Ripper tools

The Yorkshire Ripper and the FBI

A new documentary about the Yorkshire Ripper glosses over the primary hindrance to police identifying the killer much earlier—ignoring input from informed analysis.

Loving Killers, Even Long Ago

The recent phenomenon of female admirers of serial killers like Ted Bundy has some historical precedent.

Murderous Minds

The mind can present a stage on which future killers mentally act out their deviant desires.

Clothes Make the Killer

Clothing affects how we think and feel; that's true for killers as well.

Forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis on the stand during the Arthur Shawcross trial

New Documentary “Crazy, Not Insane” Premieres Tonight

HBO's documentary on forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis considers how we treat mentally disordered violent offenders in an outdated court system.

The Psychopath, Revised

A consultant for "Killing Eve" describes his time among psychopathic offenders, to show how different they can be from one another.

From a "Dead Dinner"

First Forensic Paranormalists

A forensic scientist and criminologist once explored the spirit world, surprising himself with what he believed afterward.

Contextual Cues for Predatory Targeting

Seeking the same type of victim offers mental cues that improve the predator's speed and efficiency.

The Pseudo Serial Killer

A case history of a man claiming to be a serial killer seems more like misplaced attention-seeking than a psychological disorder.

What Influences Kids to Become Killers?

Some children subjected to negative conditions grow up to become killers. Herein, three ways to influence this.

Serial Killer Cops in the News

A number of serial killers have used their position as cops, or have posed as such, to carry out their predatory activities. The Golden State Killer is among them.

Serial Killers and Their Killing Fields

Some serial killers have a favorite place for dumping or burying their victims, so they can return and relive their sense of power.

Marcus and Saganis at work in New York

The Murdered, the Missing, and a Family Secret

A journalist discovers a family secret that leads back to mob murders and secret lives of relatives whose past remakes the family identity.

Edvard Munch 1893

Grief in the Time of COVID-19

Death cafes offer ways to ponder and discuss death, anxiety over mortality, and what it all means for our lives.

True Tales and Terrifying Films

If you love horror movies, you'll want to find out what inspired your favorites and gave them that unsettling edge.

Mugshot composite

The Meanest Man Who Ever Lived

Archival documents from a notorious serial killer provide a window into his soul and shed light on barbarous prison practices.

Hidden in the House: Killers’ Secret Stash

Some serial killers remove items from victims to keep as trophies or souvenirs, risking capture to enjoy the pleasure of reliving their conquests.

Grudge Hoarders and Mass Murder

A Canadian case illustrates the potential violent dynamic of grudge hoarding and loss of control under difficult conditions.

Serial Killers' Daughters

In the wake of serial killers coming up for possible release, some offspring have opposed it. Their response is just one of a variety of ways that daughters react.

The Zoo Man Murders

A bizarre case from nearly 30 years ago leaves four murders unsolved and a possible killer eluding justice.

Makeovers for Murder Houses

Effective teamwork contributes to a unique reality show.

Predatory Photographers

Some predators with the intention to harm match their ruse to a potential victim's desire; posing as professional photographers has worked in several contexts.

Killer Knots

Signature analysis for serial murder shows the utility of learning about the style and function of knots.

The Killer Clown Dossier

A filmmaker with a talent for finding primary documents offers a comprehensive collection for John Wayne Gacy.

Films, Females, and Murder

Some women cite cinematic inspiration for their violent acts.

Killers, on Killers

There's a notion that serial killers have privileged knowledge about criminal minds and can provide unique assistance with an investigation. Is it true?

Serial Killers and a Tragic Cold Case

An author explores the multiple suspects and investigations in a 1969 New Jersey double homicide.

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