Dark Matters: True Crime

Dr. Eric Hickey
  • 5.0 (14)
  • True Crime
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 4d ago

    Decoding the Criminal Brain: Inside Neurocriminology w/ Dr. Jerrod Brown

    Dark Matters Episode 16 Interview with Dr. Jerrod Brown What truly drives a person to commit extreme acts of violence? In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey sits down with professor and forensic trainer Dr. Jerrod Brown to explore neurocriminology—a multidisciplinary field bridging neuroscience, psychology, and criminal justice. From prenatal development and adverse childhood experiences to head injuries, glucose metabolism, and nutrition, Dr. Brown breaks down the biological and environmental puzzle pieces behind complex human behavior. Together, they examine classic case studies like Charles Whitman to illustrate how hidden physiological factors can shape violent behavior. Dr. Browns Bio Jerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS, MS, MS, CTTS, EFC, CFNC, CZT, CART, GCPain, is a professor, trainer, researcher, consultant, and founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). He has extensive experience teaching collegiate courses and consulting with caregivers, professionals, and organizations on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and adversity, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting. Jerrod has completed six master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in numerous areas, including pain management, applied pediatric nutrition, medical biochemistry, exercise prescription, neuroscience and the law, neuropsychology, ASD, dyslexia, other health disabilities, and TBI. Some of his professional certifications include Lifestyle Medicine, Functional Nutrition, Adult Sleep Coaching, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Executive Functions Consultant, Brain Story, Digestive Health, Autism Direct Support, and FASD Trainer. Jerrod has conducted more than 400 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for professional and student audiences. He has published numerous articles and book chapters, contributed to multiple media outlets, and is regularly featured on national and international podcasts. He is also a 2013 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, Minneapolis Division.

  2. 4d ago

    Crossing Dangerous Boundaries

    Dark Matters Episode 15 Dr. Eric Hickey reflects on his decades as a professor and program dean, examining cautionary cases where doctoral students crossed critical professional lines with incarcerated offenders. From unexpected personal attachments to career-ending violations, Dr. Hickey breaks down how intelligent, highly educated individuals fall victim to inmate manipulation and why academic success alone cannot protect against psychological exploitation. Links Mentioned  https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6282 https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/white-supremacist-gets-26-to-life-in-killing-of-child-molester/

  3. 4d ago

    Public Paraphilias: Predators in Plain Sight

    Dark Matters Episode 14 Public spaces are designed for convenience, but predators view them through a very different lens. Host Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down how offenders exploit everyday environments, targeting distracted individuals in places like greeting card sections, parking lots, and store aisles. From viral exposures to non-consensual acts of frottage and public assault, this episode examines the psychology of public paraphilias, the permanent digital trail of these crimes, and practical ways to stay situationally aware. Articles Mentioned  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jul/20/dollar-tree-sexual-assault-gooner https://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/crime/2026/08/10/gooning-anthony-oates-falls-dollar-tree-exposure-lewd-crime-assault-bucks-county-police-trenton/91243491007/ https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-woman-suing-dollar-tree-over-gooning-incidents-here-across-the-country/4060517/ https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/18/gooning-dollar-tree-colorado-lawsuit/

  4. Aug 16

    Tales from the Passenger Seat: Hitchhikers, Convicts, and Killers

    Dark Matters Episode 13 What leads a criminal psychologist to pull over for a high-risk stranger on a dark, stormy night? Dr. Eric Hickey dives into his personal history on the road, detailing how he turned passenger-seat conversations into rare psychological studies of recently released offenders. This episode explores the dynamics of threat assessment, the psychology of compartmentalizing violent crime, and the painful process required for genuine behavioral change.

  5. Aug 16

    Mind Games Behind Bars: The Ed Kemper Interview

    Dark Matters Episode 12 Serial killers often seek total control, even behind bars. In this episode, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the infamous locked-room encounter between serial murderer Ed Kemper and pioneering FBI profiler Bob Ressler. Through the lens of criminal psychology, Dr. Hickey explores how intelligent predators manipulate interviewers, test physical boundaries, and play dangerous psychological mind games with those attempting to study them.

    Mind Games Behind Bars: The Ed Kemper Interview

  6. Jul 19

    The West Side Park Murders

    Dark Matters Episode 11 In this episode, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey takes listeners behind the scenes of two starkly different homicide investigations. He begins with a devastating, unsolved double shooting from his time in Muncie, Indiana, involving two teenagers targeted in what should have been a safe haven. Dr. Hickey recalls his tense, face-to-face interview with the prime suspect who ultimately slipped through the fingers of the law. He then contrasts this cold case with his experience inside a California Supermax prison interviewing the serial killer behind the MacArthur Park murders, exploring how distinct psychological motivations and trauma dictate who gets caught and who evades justice. Purchase Serial Murderers and Their Victims  https://a.co/d/0gHOwVnm

    The West Side Park Murders

  7. Jul 11

    A Walk on the Dark Side interview with Dr. Marshall Jones

    Dark Matters Episode 10  True crime isn't just about the crime itself; it's about the professionals who dedicate their lives to understanding it. This week on Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey is joined by his first guest, Dr. Marshall Jones of the Florida Institute of Technology. Drawing from decades of combined experience, these two veteran behavioral analysts trade hard-earned insights from the trenches of the criminal justice system. Dr. Jones discusses bridging the gap between clinical academia and front-line law enforcement , the dangers of confirmation bias in behavioral research , and the grim realities of tracking criminal phenomena across the country. It’s an unfiltered look at the grit, the science, and the relentless curiosity required to walk on the dark side.    Connect with Dr. Marshall Jones https://hopeforheroes.com/dr-marshall-jones/

    A Walk on the Dark Side interview with Dr. Marshall Jones

  8. Jul 8

    The Frog Boys

    Dark Matters Episode 9  A community plunged into panic, an intensive military search, and a mystery that lay hidden for over a decade. This episode of Dark Matters tackles the complex case of the "Frog Boys". Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the timeline, analyzes why initial search efforts fell short, and explores how an elusive individual managed to evade justice for over thirty years.

    The Frog Boys
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

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

  • Creator
    Dr. Eric Hickey
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dark Matters: True Crime