Dark Matters: True Crime

Dr. Eric Hickey

Dark Matters: True Crime Podcast by Dr. Eric Hickey Criminal Psychologist Dark Matters explores the science behind violent crime and how to prevent it. The show examines homicide, serial murder, sex crimes, stalking, and criminal paraphilias through the lens of forensic psychology. The series blends interviews and case storytelling to show how understanding grows in the real world. Conversations feature investigators, researchers, victims, and at times offenders who appear anonymously, with an emphasis on ethics, boundaries, and clear thinking over sensational detail.

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  1. Dahmer: Nature Loads the Gun

    9 maj

    Dahmer: Nature Loads the Gun

    Dark Matters Episode 7 Dr. Eric Hickey shares the remarkable story of how a chance encounter in California led to rare, personal interviews with Jeffrey Dahmer’s closest family members. This episode details his private conversations with Dahmer’s brother, David, and his mother, Joyce Flint. Through these unique accounts, the episode provides an unprecedented look at the Dahmer family's internal struggles with depression, the profound impact of childhood abandonment, and how those closest to the killer have processed the devastating reality of his crimes. Links to videos mentioned https://youtu.be/I2m0tM16uOY?si=nF4tlPuQzyUGcerJ https://youtu.be/EwH3CuECEwA?si=t8Ev0dxOUr45gigH To purchase Serial Murderers and their Victims (7th Edition) https://a.co/d/eeQcIsS

    43 min
  2. Shadows of Control: The Psychology of Stalking

    1 maj ·  Bonusinnehåll

    Shadows of Control: The Psychology of Stalking

    Dark Matters Bonus Episode Dr. Eric Hickey explores how stalking serves as a harbinger of violence in failed relationships, focusing on the offender’s relentless need for power and control. From the "Hearts Stalker" who used gasoline to mark his territory to the "School Bus Stalker" who turned a diamond ring into a tool of terror, this episode deconstructs the pathological need to dominate another person's life. Compilation of the Stalking Series originally posted to YouTube.

    1 tim 11 min

  3. 28 apr.

    Beyond the PhD: Building a Career as an Expert Witness

    Dark Matters Episode 5 In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the realities of becoming a forensic psychology consultant and expert witness. Earning your PhD is just the beginning. Dr. Hickey shares his personal journey from a half-page resume to a 45-page CV, outlining the essential steps for success in the field. Learn the value of field experience , the importance of publishing , and the critical differences between licensed clinicians and investigative behavioral analysts. Tune in to discover how forensic experts use their aggregate knowledge to help law enforcement solve crimes.

    1 tim 3 min

  4. 25 apr.

    The Corpse Collector: Inside the Mind of a Predator

    Dark Matters Episode 4 Dr. Eric Hickey takes us into the dark psychology of necrophilia and criminal paraphilia, exploring how childhood trauma can evolve into dangerous obsessions. In this episode of Dark Matters, we examine the thin line between fantasy and crime, discussing chronoparaphilia, the psychology of incels, and Dr. Hickey’s theory of Relational Paraphilic Attachment.

    21 min

  5. 22 apr. ·  Bonusinnehåll

    They Let the Patients Run a Haunted House?!

    Step inside the Haunted Castle of Provo, a Halloween spook alley run by hospital patients in the late 70s and early 80s. In this firsthand story, Dr. Hickey recalls security duties, unforgettable scares, and a community that lined up for fear and spectacle, then wrestles with the complicated legacy of using a psychiatric setting for entertainment and charity.

    8 min

  6. 21 apr. ·  Bonusinnehåll

    The Toothpaste Incident, Insights from the Case Files

    This episode revisits an Indiana case from my early career, a tragic toothpaste incident that shocked a community and demanded careful reasoning. I break down how we narrowed suspects, why appearances can mislead, and what clues point to revenge rather than attention seeking. We also cover practical traits of critical thinkers, from truth seeking to checking bias, and how asking better questions moves a case forward.

    8 min
  7. Mapping the Darkness

    20 apr.

    Mapping the Darkness

    Dark Matters Episode 6 What happens when an offender's fantasy world collides with reality?. Dr. Eric Hickey delves into the psychological "map" of a sadistic predator, analyzing how specific victim criteria and escalating behavior provide a blueprint for investigators. From the clinical significance of the PCLR scale to the chilling reasons behind a sudden change in an offender’s behavior, this episode uncovers the motivations behind unthinkable acts and the science used to stop them. To purchase Serial Murderers and their Victims (7th Edition) https://a.co/d/eeQcIsS

    1 min
  8. Confessions Without Bodies, Findings from the Larry Hall Case Files

    2025-11-24

    Confessions Without Bodies, Findings from the Larry Hall Case Files

    Dark Matters Episode 3 A cramped room, a small table, and a man who believes one promise will buy him a visit to his mother. Dr. Eric Hickey opens the Larry Hall case file from the interviewer’s chair, guiding you moment by moment through a conversation that tilts between cooperation and control. As the deal unravels, patterns emerge, and a clinical picture takes shape, revealing why certain offenders cannot lead investigators to closure even when they speak freely. No sensationalism, just a clear look at the mind across the table and the choices that keep people safe in the room. To purchase Serial Murderers and their Victims (7th Edition) https://a.co/d/eeQcIsS

    19 min

  9. 2025-09-19

    Shining a Light on Dark Matters, An Introduction to Forensic Psychology

    Dark Matters EP 1 In this kickoff to Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey offers a guided tour of forensic psychology, what it is, where it came from, and why it matters. He charts the field’s growth, from early behavioral units and rough profiling, to modern research, advanced risk assessment, and geographic prediction. Drawing from decades of experience across investigations, research, and consultation, he discusses homicide, sex crimes, and criminal paraphilia, the value of partnerships with law enforcement, and the skills needed to do the work, empathy, boundaries, and critical thinking. With candid stories from hospitals, prisons, courtrooms, and cold cases, this introduction previews a season of informed conversations that illuminate the darkest corners to help save lives.

    22 min
  • 9 avsnitt

Om

Dark Matters: True Crime Podcast by Dr. Eric Hickey Criminal Psychologist Dark Matters explores the science behind violent crime and how to prevent it. The show examines homicide, serial murder, sex crimes, stalking, and criminal paraphilias through the lens of forensic psychology. The series blends interviews and case storytelling to show how understanding grows in the real world. Conversations feature investigators, researchers, victims, and at times offenders who appear anonymously, with an emphasis on ethics, boundaries, and clear thinking over sensational detail.

Information

  • Skapad av
    Dr. Eric Hickey
  • Aktiva år
    2025 - 2026
  • Avsnitt
    9
  • Åldersgräns
    Vuxet innehåll
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Programmets webbplats
    Dark Matters: True Crime
  • Leverantör

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