Dark Matters: True Crime

Dark Matters Episode 23

Most burglars want to enter an empty home, take what they can, and leave without ever being seen. Why, then, do some intruders deliberately target occupied homes in the dead of night? In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey examines the psychology of "hot burglaries"—break-ins driven not by theft, but by power, voyeurism, and sexual fantasy. Drawing from his own experience interviewing a 19-year-old offender, Dr. Hickey traces how childhood trauma and unchecked behavioral red flags can escalate from window peeping to crossing the threshold of a stranger's home.

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Dark Matters Episode 22

When a father turns against his own family, what drives such a catastrophic act? In this episode of Dark Matters, leading forensic psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey examines the unsettling psychological profile of family annihilators. Exploring high-profile and recent cases, Dr. Hickey uncovers how a desperate need for control, marital breakdown, and unresolved anger can lead men down a path of ultimate destruction. Tune in to understand the underlying triggers, the psychological compartmentalization involved, and why domestic mass murder remains one of society's most hidden tragedies.

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Dark Matters Episode 21

What drives an individual to escalate from public exposure to severe criminal acts? In this episode of Dark Matters, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey examines the underlying behavioral patterns and personality structure of Randall Woodfield. From deep-seated narcissism and fragile self-esteem to an extreme need for power, explore how psychological motives shape violent behavior and why certain offenders remain in total denial.   
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Dark Matters Episode 20

Dr. Eric Hickey welcomes forensic psychologist and former FBI analyst Dr. Kristin Bayer to examine the tragic mechanics of maternal filicide. Centered on the Lindsay Clancy case, this episode explores the critical psychological boundary separating anxiety-driven intrusive thoughts from full postpartum psychosis. Dr. Bayer breaks down how brief hospital stays, medication adjustment periods, and gaps in psychiatric safety nets fail mothers during severe mental health crises. Together, they analyze how clinical mental illness intersects with violent crime and what behavioral evidence reveals about maternal homicide.

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Dark Matters Episode 19

What drives individuals to seek out secret, anonymous encounters in everyday public spaces? Criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey explores the hidden world of public restroom hookups and the complex dynamics of living a dual life. Drawing from court testimony, personal encounters, and real-world law enforcement operations, Dr. Hickey unpacks the non-verbal protocols, legal dilemmas, and psychological motivations behind a phenomenon found in cities across the globe.

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Dark Matters Episode 18

In the summer of 1981, criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey began his career in Georgia just as the notorious Atlanta Child Murders reached a pivotal turning point. Decades later, Dr. Hickey joined a bus filled with community activists to confront long-held doubts surrounding Wayne Williams' conviction. In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Hickey revisits the forensic evidence, fiber analysis, and complex behavioral patterns that defined one of the most controversial cases in modern criminal history.

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Dark Matters Episode 17

In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey examines a harrowing case of workplace video voyeurism in Florida where personal privacy and professional trust were completely shattered. When a highly trusted corporate attorney secretly installed hidden cameras inside office restrooms under the guise of an employee wellness initiative, private moments were covertly recorded for years. Dr. Hickey shares his direct involvement in interviewing the traumatized victims, exploring the long-term psychological fallout when safe spaces are violated and how institutions attempt to silence survivors.
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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.

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/

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/c...

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.

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.

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...

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 t...

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.

Dark Matters Episode 8

Clifford Olson wasn't just a brutal killer; he was a master manipulator desperate for the spotlight. In this installment of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the psychology of a monster who refused to be forgotten. From calling into Dr. Hickey's graduate university classes to orchestrating a massive, authenticated hoax claiming involvement in the Green River killings, discover the lengths a predator will go to maintain control from behind bars. Step into the dark side and learn how forensic psychologists handle the mind games of a highly dangerous sociopath.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

Dark Matters Episode 2

Dr. Eric Hickey maps the real path into forensic psychology, from early criminology dreams to graduate training in a state hospital forensic unit, to consulting with the U.S. military, testifying in court, and working high profile cases like the Wayne Williams investigation. He shares chance encounters that shaped his work, including meeting Jeffrey Dahmer’s brother, explains why critical thinking and neutrality matter when interviewing psychopaths, and previews future guests, offenders and victims alike, on Dark Matters.

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, an...