fact or fiction
Is it fact or merely fiction? Fact or Fiction explores the myths and beliefs we hold about copycat killers, eyewitnesses testimony, what makes a murderer and more.
Can We Actually 'Sense' Danger?
Have you ever met someone, in passing, and felt this overwhelming wave of discomfort? You look at them, they have normal haircut, a nice smile, maybe they smell nice and seem, for the most part, like an upstanding human being; however, you sense something in demeanor. You simply cannot shake the feeling that there is something unimaginably wrong with them. Almost like they are simply not operating on the same brain wave as you. You sit and overanalyze yourself over the prospect of being, perhaps, a little too judgmental. "Maybe I'm just being rude... they haven't done a damn thing to me." You force yourself to speak to the person who runs this chill up and down your spine, you push down the overwhelming feeling of nausea. This person speaks, perhaps making small talk, talking about their dog, asking if you have a dog, maybe offering some assistance in carrying something or standing just a bit too close. Now, almost without much of an offer, you've become friends with this person. You have no idea how, you just know, you are trying to be a nice person. People do say you often looked rude upon seeing you in a social setting.
By Nadia Rivera8 years ago in Criminal
Lessons I've Learned From True Crime Shows
You could say I got my love of true crime shows from my mother, an avid fan of cozy English murder mysteries. Sherlock Holmes, Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot were names I recognized before I even started kindergarten. By the time I discovered Forensic Files in the fifth grade, it seemed no different than all of the stories and television shows that I loved for years. I was completely mesmerized by the chase and all of the methods that detectives used to solve crimes. Years later, when I saw that a forensic science class was being offered at my high school, I immediately registered for it.
By Jessica Pilla8 years ago in Criminal
10 Mysterious Unsolved Hollywood Murders. Top Story - May 2018.
Real-life mysteries are always interesting. And when you combine them with the mystique of Hollywood, you've certainly captured the interest of many. It's basically reading the best must-read detective crime novels but with even more suspense and intrigue. These are the top ten most mysterious unsolved Hollywood murders. You can't make these stories up.
By Kelsey Lange8 years ago in Criminal
Why Do People Become Criminals?
There are several questions that surround this earth, and one major question I have heard throughout the years is: “why do people become criminals?" It could be a question answered, and simple as “people don’t understand right from wrong,” but it is so much deeper than that. A lot of individuals relate violence with religions, poverty, adrenalin, gangs, and many other things. However, there are also theories that believe that some individuals become criminals due to their genetics. If there are a variety of theories of why people become criminals, it makes it difficult to focus on only one area. Therefore, my primary focus will remain on the idea that your habitat, way of life, and thinking process influences the person you become.
By Lydia Cruz8 years ago in Criminal
All That Glitters
There have been all types of famous crimes, from the Great Train Robbery to Jack the Ripper, but nothing captures the imagination like a diamond heist. Maybe it's because ice is so beautiful, or that diamonds are so valuable, or perhaps it's the extreme planning of the crime or the fact that while the thieves might get caught, the diamonds almost never turn up. From December 2009 until May 2011, a gang of diamond thieves ran through eight states, stealing millions from more than two dozen jewelry stores. Like something out of Netflix's Money Heist, they had nicknames and used disposable phones so the director of the crimes, who never went into the crime scenes, can guide them through the heist. They targeted older female sales representatives because they were less likely to take the hero route. In one robbery, they used a cute little chihuahua to distract the employees, and in another, they used wave runners to escape. Every move was scripted, as were the conversations they had with the salespeople. They had background stories, expensive clothing to play out the script, and the Risk Reducer, AKA the director, who would correct mistakes made. When one of the robbers left his prints on the door of a jewelry store, the Risk Reducer went back when the cops were swarming the store and wiped the door clean. They were caught when someone identified a participant caught on CCTV and the evidence was enhanced by their antics on social media where they posted pictures with the cash they got after fencing the diamonds. The money was never recovered, nor were the diamonds. Not a bad outcome for snatch and grab robbers considering most got less than ten years.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Cybercrime
One only has to watch Mr. Robot to get a clue about cybercrime. Elliot's Fsociety is a group of hacktivists who cancel everyone's debt everywhere and chaos ensues. How real is this kind of threat? In the dark world of hacking and the sinister workings of internet fraud, it is a possibility. Right now. It's like the nothing of The Neverending Story; the nothing is coming and it will find you. Hackers like the Shadow Brokers, who first broke to the surface in 2016, are gunning for us all. They successfully stole from the National Security Agency (NSA) in 2013 and held onto the material for three years. The debate about who the Shadow Brokers are rages on. North Korea, Russia, China, a gang like Mr. Robot's—your guess is as good as anybody else's. WannaCry was a ransomware hack that hit like a tsunami especially in the UK. It shackled the National Health Service affecting emergency rooms and operating rooms throughout the country. Security experts found a flaw in the program and used it as a kill switch. They got a total of $139,000 in bitcoins, and it is believed the North Koreans were responsible. The massive extent of WannaCry was possible thanks to the Shadow Brokers, who leaked Windows flaws. Another ransomware attack was enabled by leaks from the Shadow Brokers. Known as Petya, NotPetya, and several other names, it infected the pharmaceutical giant Merck in this country, a Danish shipping company and a Russian oil company. The program had a flaw used to disable it. Investigators determined that these companies were merely a distraction to enable the hackers to hobble Ukraine. It succeeded; the airport, central bank, transit, and the power company were crippled. Kudos to the Shadow Brokers for that malfeasance.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Spy in the Sky. Top Story - April 2018.
Do you ever get the feeling someone is watching? It's not your imagination, especially if you are in the UK or China. While China has the global record for the most cameras, the UK wins if you count per capita. With an approximate number of 500,000, a typical Brit is on camera 300 times a day. The topic is controversial wherever you go. Is privacy being invaded? CCTV is restricted to public areas where people are not supposed to expect privacy. If people can see you, why not cameras? If you've got nothing to hide, what's the difference, right? Some Americans might take issue after the April 15, 2013, bombing of the Boston Marathon. Brothers Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev were known simply as Black Hat and White Hat. CCTV followed their blurred images before, during, and after the two bombs went off, and it led to their arrest.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Why Missing Children Never Return Home
The Lindbergh Law, The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and The Amber Alert have all been proven successful ways to return thousands of missing children home safe and alive. Sadly, these methods of locating missing children have been enforced after a child has been senselessly murdered by their captor. However, since the inception of these methods, a lot of cases involving missing children still go unsolved and perpetrators are never caught. What follows are a few possible explanations as to why a lot of cases of missing children have gone cold and unsolved. Leaving the public baffled and heart-broken. Not to mention bringing every parents' and relatives' worst nightmare to life. I hope to provide at least some insight into why and how this tragedy unfolds to prevent such miscarriages of justice from happening again and again. The first second when a child goes missing time is of the essence to make sure that they are found safe and alive, and that their captors are apprehended and brought to justice for their crimes. Crimes against the most innocent of all victims: Children. What follows are a few plausible explanations as to why missing children cases go unsolved despite every exhausted effort by the police, the FBI, the mass media, and the public alike. It seems education and prevention are key to protecting innocent children from predators. To protect their safety and security is more crucial than ever in a world that is dominated by greed, blood lust and political corruption. Kids need to know that predators are everywhere. Online, in schools and in political offices. Call 911 and keep telling until you are believed. If approached by a person who tries to harass or intimidate you, know that this is never your fault and help is available.
By Janelle Ouellet8 years ago in Criminal
Economic Terrorism
If you thought your business only had to worry about gangs of criminals in darkened basements printing funny money that an astute employee would find, think again. Most have heard about North Korea's foray into counterfeit $100 bills which had quieted down in recent years, but like Mac Arthur, they have returned. It took a full team of scientists to determine that a new supernote, as they are called, has turned up in South Korea. Then there are the Peruvian beauties causing disasters for business owners. In the old days, you could hit a suspect bill with a detector pen, but those days are done.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
