True Crime History and Popularity

True Crime History

• Commodification of crime dates back to the mid-16th century
• Increased literacy in Europe sparked the rise of pamphlets featuring gruesome stories
• 17th century saw a surge in crime pamphlets and magazines showcasing confessions and witch trial details.
• The term “true crime” gained popularity after Truman Capote’s "In Cold Blood" was published by Random House in 1966.

Popularity Surge in the 2010s

• The early 2010s saw a "boom" in the popularity of true crime, with the rise of podcasts and TV series.
• Serial and Making a Murderer, launched around 2014-2015, are seen as catalysts of the growth.
• Serial gained widespread reach with estimated 40 million downloads in its first three months.

Ethical Concerns

• Victim families have spoken out against true crime projects, feeling their loved ones are exploited for entertainment.
• While true crime can be educational on the justice system, it can also perpetuate inaccurate perceptions.

Impact on Perception

• True crime often offers a skewed view of the crime landscape, disproportionately featuring white victims, especially women, and perpetuating a "Missing White Woman Syndrome."
• The genre often ignores or misrepresents the experiences of Black victims.
• The genre can influence viewers' perceptions of crime and potentially encourage criminal behaviour.
• The accuracy and ethical implications of true crime content require careful consideration by audiences.

History of True Crime

• The commodification of crime started as early as the mid-16th century with pamphlets
• In the 17th century, crime pamphlets and magazines increased in popularity, featuring confessions and details of witch trials
• "True crime" became a widely accepted literary term in 1966 with the release of Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood"

Modern True Crime

• The 2010s saw a true crime boom, fueled by popular podcasts like "Serial" (2014) and documentaries like "Making a Murderer" (2015)
• Both "Serial" and "Making a Murderer" sparked controversy as the families of victims spoke out against the projects
• "Serial" received an estimated 40 million downloads in its first three months
• True crime has educational value, but can also shape public perception of the justice system
• A study suggests that watching crime shows can improve viewers' ability to plan crimes

Biases in True Crime

• The genre often presents a skewed view of the crime landscape, disproportionately featuring crimes against white victims
• "Missing White Woman Syndrome" refers to the phenomenon of increased media coverage for missing white women compared to women of color
• True crime narratives often fail to accurately represent the experiences of Black women as victims of violent crime

Ethical Considerations

• The genre raises ethical questions about the exploitation of victims and the potential for harm
• The audience must consider whether the entertainment value outweighs the potential for exploitation

History of True Crime

• The commodification of crime narratives traces back to the mid-16th century with the rise of pamphleteering and increased literacy in Europe.
• Sensational crime pamphlets and magazines flourished in the 17th century, featuring confessions of high-profile prisoners and details of witch trials.
• The term "true crime" became widely accepted in the 1960s, with Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" being an influential example.

True Crime Boom

• The true crime genre experienced a significant boom in the 2010s, with "Serial" (2014) and "Making a Murderer" (2015) being cited as key catalysts.
• "Serial" gained immense popularity, amassing an estimated 40 million downloads in its initial three months.
• The families of victims featured in both "Serial" and "Making a Murderer" expressed dissatisfaction with the projects, highlighting the complexities of sensationalizing real-life tragedies.

Potential Consequences of True Crime

• Despite its entertainment value, true crime has been criticized for perpetuating inaccurate perceptions of crime and the justice system.
• Research suggests that exposure to crime-centric entertainment can influence individuals' understanding of criminal behavior.
• The genre often presents a skewed representation of crime, disproportionately focusing on certain demographics while neglecting others.
• The "Missing White Woman Syndrome" illustrates the media's tendency to prioritize coverage of missing white women over those of other racial backgrounds.
• Critics raise concerns about the exploitation of victims and the ethical implications of profiting from real-life tragedies.