Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Criminal.
The Next GSK: The Case That the People Who Caught the Golden State Killer Are Tackling Next
The news is full of exciting information about the latest victory in law enforcement: The capture of the Golden State Killer. True crime aficionados know the names Paul Holes and Billy Jensen as two of the men that helped catch him.
By Lesley Bright8 years ago in Criminal
Gunshot Wounds
Everyone knows guns are dangerous. The fact that guns haven't changed much over the last 100 years will attest to that. But there is a lot more going on than just a hole in your body when you get shot. A 9mm handgun is a typical self-defense weapon and is often used by police departments. Bullets from these guns travel at 900 mph and all of that energy is absorbed by the target hit. The shock wave of the bullet greatly expands the area hit and then as the bullet passes through, the area hit collapses on itself. This effect causes major damage to the body, even where the bullet doesn't come into contact. This video demonstrates the shattering properties of a bullet, and the fluid-filled containers clearly show what happens to fluid-filled organs, like the bladder or heart. Most bullets do not go straight through a body. They ricochet around the body causing damage until they stop. Even bullets that do exit the body will ricochet, putting the exit wound in a completely different area than the entrance wound. The entrance wound will usually be smaller than the exit wound because the bullet has to punch its way out. The exit wound may be star-shaped.
By Monica Bennett8 years ago in Criminal
Jodi Arias and the 10 Year Anniversary of Her Crime
I remember hearing about Jodi Arias in 2008 after she made headlines for the brutal murder of her boyfriend, Travis Alexander. He was stabbed 27 times, shot in the head, and had his throat slit. I remember I couldn't believe a "hot blonde" with "innocent eyes" could be capable of such a serial killer-like action. Especially when she lied to the public, not once, not twice, but a handful of times to try and clear her name. Although none of her attempts were successful, why did she continue to lie? What did she get out of the whole thing? But most importantly, why did she commit one of the most brutal crimes known to mankind?
By norma jean8 years ago in Criminal
The Time I Looked After Lucy
A lot of people around my town, Westvillage, call me a hero. I just say it's something I had to do, I couldn't let it happen. I have never been the sort of person to big myself up and I would always say I’m just an average girl. Hi, I'm Samantha, otherwise known as Sammy, I'm a pretty normal looking girl with brown hair and blue eyes. I never really know what to say about myself to other people, but I guess I would class myself as a kind, caring person as I like to help others as best I can. I worked as a babysitter while I was in school. I would help anyone who needed me as it is quite a small town, so everyone pretty much knows everyone. However, it was mainly the Johnson’s little girl I looked after. Anyway, let me tell you the story about one of the times I babysat for the Johnsons. This little girl I'm talking about is named Lucy. Lucy is a bright young girl to say she is only five. Her parents were going out of town for 2 days and because we know each other well they trusted me to look after her for the full two days. Her parents were hard workers and had to go out on business trips all the time, so this two-day trip was also for business. They only like to travel when they must as they adore their little girl.
By Amy Rawcliffe8 years ago in Criminal
Serial Killer Nurses Who Murdered Their Patients
Serial killers come in all forms; your cute old neighbor next door, serial killer couples, and even your own kids. But perhaps the most chilling are those who are meant to help save lives, but instead purposefully end them. In the hands of medical personnel, we all like to feel we’re in the comforting aid of those who know exactly what to do at just the right time. But occasionally, a few faulty seeds seep through the cracks, and the end result can be dark, chilling, and more than we’d like to believe, fatal.
By Lenny Legman8 years ago in Criminal
Metal
They all knew he was going to be the one to do it. And they supposed it was fitting. He was the oldest, he was the quietest and, in truth, he cared the most. They weren’t worried about him. They were worried about Selo and Jon, because they were still young. They were still plagued with nightmares that they struggled to make sense of when they woke up. They still crept into their siblings’ room at night. Into their parents’ rooms. That’s why they were worried—because Selo would creep into their parents’ room and cry small tears and then they’d start asking questions.
By Charlotte Humphrey8 years ago in Criminal
10 of the Creepiest Murder Cases You've Never Heard Of
Jack the Ripper. Elizabeth Bathory. Charles Manson. These are all names of some of the most famous serial killers to ever live. Truth be told, the names of high profile murderers always raise a little chill down our collective spines. To a point, people like to talk about murders simply because they're like real, modern-day ghost stories.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart8 years ago in Criminal
