What's with our obsession with True Crime?

In 2023, Casefile, an Australian true crime podcast, climbed to the top of Triton Digital's Australian Podcast Ranker, surpassing popular shows like Hamish and Andy. This ranking shows Australia’s seemingly insatiable appetite for true crime stories. Since the podcast Serial debuted in 2014, true crime content has exploded into a global phenomenon, blending narrative nonfiction with investigative journalism. But this raises a crucial question: what does this fascination with crime tell us about ourselves?

How a criminologist sees our interest in true crime

Dr. Michael A. Guerzoni, a criminologist with expertise in researching crimes against children, offers insight into the emotional impact of true crime media. We spoke to Michael about how he manages to process the burden of these tragic stories and what he thinks about our fascination with true crime. He thinks they feed a deep curiosity about human evil while helping us understand how power and corruption often fail society’s most vulnerable, children.

Dr. Guerzoni says that when we consume true crime stories, we share in the emotional labour of the victims and investigators. This shared experience can be both cathartic and troubling. On the one hand, it allows us to process fears about crime and victimhood. On the other, it can create a sense of helplessness, a recognition of the vast scope of human wrongdoing.

The Hope in Tragic Circumstances

Yet, the enduring appeal of true crime also offers hope. We’re not just drawn to the lurid details but to the quest for justice. The conclusion of many true crime stories—whether through a courtroom verdict or through societal reform—gives us a sense of moral resolution in an often chaotic world.

However, the deeper resolution we crave goes beyond any earthly justice. As we contemplate the darkness of human nature, we also long for restoration. Dr Guerzoni says that he finds this hope in Revelation 21:4:

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

True crime may captivate our attention, but the promise of divine justice offers the final word on human suffering. The stories of tragedy we hear today will one day be brought to justice by our maker.

If you’d like to listen to the full discussion with Michael Guerzoni about crime, justice and trauma, listen to the full episode HERE.