5 Concepts to Understand Before CrowdSolve

  • By Website Editor
  • •
  • 27 Sep, 2019

Know the basics of these investigative tactics to get ahead of the curve

“We consider CrowdSolve attendees to be our fellow investigators.” — Det. Mickey Hamilton

Let us be clear: CrowdSolve Investigators will, for all intents and purposes, become rookie detectives for the four days of the event. The experts and detectives on site to provide guidance will treat Investigators as peers. In short, we know the Investigators who signed up for CrowdSolve know their stuff and they’re coming to Seattle ready to get down to business.

CrowdSolve includes a significant education component. Investigators will spend part of the day in intensive educational sessions to learn about investigative concepts relevant to the Nancy Moyer and Karen Bodine cases. To get a head start on the basics, Investigators may wish to begin researching these five concepts:
Victimology is exactly what it sounds like: the study of victims and the circumstances that contributed to the offense committed against them. Victimology also examines the connections between the offender and the victim and understand why the victim was targeted.

Nancy Moyer and Karen Bodine both led very different lifestyles that may have contributed to their deaths. To be clear, victimology is not victim blaming. Rather, we will seek to understand how the circumstances around each victim’s death and how they may have attracted the killers to the victims.

Resources:
Victimology overview - West Virginia State University
Introduction to Victimology - Sage Publications
Victimology - Trusty ol’ Wikipedia
Language is an important tool in criminal investigations. The way suspects and witnesses explain their stories can tell a keen-eared investigator more than the words themselves. As CrowdSolve Investigators examine the statements given by Eric Lee Roberts when he confessed to killing Nancy Moyer (and when he subsequently recanted that confession), it’s important to know what to look for to determine if the statement is true or false. Similarly, as we examine witness interviews in the case of Karen Bodine, you’ll find that several people can recall the same event in very different ways depending on the words they use.

Resources:
Solving Crimes Through Language - Dr. Natalie Schilling, Professor of Linguistics
Analysis of Statements in Famous Cases - Mark McClish (Rabbit hole warning!)
Statement Analysis: What Do Suspects’ Words Really Reveal? - Susan H. Adams, M.A.
We don’t expect you to become certified crime scene technicians before October 17. Still, getting an overview of the basic procedures will put you ahead of the curve in understanding the Karen Bodine crime scene. In our recent sit-down, Det. Hamilton said “The way Karen was killed, the way she was displayed, and the way she was found -- it was all very strange.” There are pieces of evidence collected from the scene that may be red herrings and there are pieces that may be the smoking gun (so to speak).

Resources:
Crime Scene Investigation - National Institute of Standards and Technology
Discover Forensics - Future Learn (For the really dedicated! Future Learn offers two weeks of free courses in crime scene and forensic analysis)
A Simplified Guide to Forensic Investigation - Forensics Simplified
Behavioral profiling is a relatively new tool in the investigator’s arsenal. The concept was developed in the early 1970s by famed FBI profiler John Douglas and Agent Robert Ressler. Profiling seeks to understand why the perpetrator committed a crime in an attempt to identify their habits, behaviors, and motives. The profile is then used to narrow the suspect pool to the most likely culprits.

Profiling is not a perfect science and is not without its critics. Given the infinite spectrum of human behaviors and motives, it is nearly impossible to accurately predict one person’s behavior. Still, profiling remains a useful tool in focusing an investigation with a wide range of suspects such as the Karen Bodine case.

Resources:
Forensics: Profiling the Perpetrator - Dummies.com
FBI Method of Profiling: The 5 Phases - Wikipedia
Does Criminal Profiling Work? - Psychology Today
Karen Bodine’s body was discovered with a ligature around her neck and there is reason to suspect Nancy Moyer may have been strangled to death as well. While this is not an easy topic to research, understanding the processes that occur within the body as a victim is strangled to death may be helpful when examining the case files on-site in Seattle.

Resources:
What it Feels Like to Be Strangled - Ranker (Not an easy or enjoyable read, but includes fairly accurate information)
Facts Non-Fatal Strangulation Victims Need to Know - Alaska.gov
Death by Strangulation - Dr. Dean Hawley, Indiana University

CrimeCon UK heads to Manchester!

By David Jones • November 28, 2024
Breaking News! CrimeCon UK is coming to Manchester in 2025!

CrimeCon London 2025

By David Jones - Brand Manager • September 30, 2024

CrimeCon Returns to London on 7th and 8th June 2025: A Must-Attend Event for True Crime Enthusiasts

Exciting news for true crime aficionados – CrimeCon is making its much-anticipated return to London on 7th and 8th June 2025! As the biggest UK event for those with a passion for the true crime genre, this is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of crime, justice, and investigation, all set in the heart of the UK capital.

CrimeCon UK has built a reputation as the ultimate true crime experience, where enthusiasts, experts, educators and professionals come together to explore high-profile cases, delve into forensic science, and hear from those at the forefront of criminal investigation. 2025 promises to be the best event yet - being more captivating than ever before.

What to Expect at CrimeCon 2025

Building on the enormous success of past years, CrimeCon London 2025 will once again offer attendees exclusive access to leading criminal experts, investigative journalists, detectives, and true crime content creators. With a packed schedule of live panels, interactive discussions, and real-life case studies, this year's event is guaranteed to leave attendees with insights into some of the most talked-about cases and topical true crime themes. Not only this, CrimeCon UK puts victims and advocacy for justice at the heart of the event - making sure that CrimeCon is a platform for every story that needs to be told.

Here's a glimpse of what awaits attendees at CrimeCon 2025:

  • Exclusive Interviews and Case Debriefs: Hear directly from those involved in some of the UK’s most intriguing and infamous criminal cases, hearing from those that were directly impacted by criminality.
  • Meet Your Favorite True Crime Content Creators: The digital world has revolutionised the true crime genre, and CrimeCon will be bringing top content creators together to discuss their platforms, methods, and deep dives into unsolved mysteries.
  • Interactive Exhibits and Forensic Workshops: Put your sleuthing skills to the test as you take part in immersive activities, which have, in the past, included forensic analysis and criminal profiling.
  • Q&A Sessions with Experts: Get the chance to ask burning questions to investigators, criminologists, and legal professionals.

Who Should Attend?

Whether you're a die-hard true crime fan, a criminal justice professional, or just someone curious about the world of crime-solving, CrimeCon is perfect for you. The event brings together a diverse community of people who share a passion for exploring the darker side of humanity while discussing critical issues of justice and victim advocacy.

For those already familiar with popular crime podcasts, books, and documentaries, this is your chance to engage with the experts and learn more about the complexities behind these stories. CrimeCon offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere.

Secure Your Spot

Tickets for CrimeCon London 2025 are expected to sell out fast, so be sure to grab yours soon. Various ticket packages are be available, offering different levels of access, from basic admission to VIP and Platinum experiences, where you can enjoy perks such as exclusive sessions with speakers, early access to certain events and enhanced event benefits. 

To find out more and to book your tickets, click here. Don't miss out on being part of the most thrilling true crime event of the year!

PUBLIC VOTE - OPEN NOW

By David Jones • February 5, 2024

Now is your chance to ensure your favourite true crime content from 2023 is recognised in the TCAs!

VIEWERS' CHOICE:  Whether it's your favourite series, documentary film or influencer - make sure you submit your thoughts on your favourite on-screen true crime content today! Remember - only content released in 2023 is eligible and will be counted.

LISTENERS' CHOICE:   All True Crime podcasts (that released content that is available in the UK during 2023) are eligible to be nominated so be sure that your go-to true crime podcast is recognised!

READERS' CHOICE:   Which true crime book caught your attention in 2023? As long as it was first published last year then it's eligible to be nominated, so cast your vote today!

Voting is now open and closes on 31st March 2024.  Those with the most votes will be recognised and awarded at the True Crime Awards which is scheduled to take place on 25th April 2024.

VOTE NOW!

The Big Scottish Book Club

By daviduk • October 18, 2023
THE BIG SCOTTISH BOOK CLUB
SERIES 5 EPISODE 2
AVAILABLE NOW

Damian Barr is joined by Shetland and Vera author Ann Cleeves to discuss her new novel, The Raging Storm. Lauren Lyle, star of the series Karen Pirie, reveals how she brings the Val McDermid character to life, and, on the 30th anniversary of Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh talks about the ITV crime series and his latest novel, The Long Knives. True crime podcasters (and our very own Nancy Baughen)  rate Truman Capote classic In Cold Blood, and crime readers at the Shetland Noir Festival in Lerwick recommend their favourite reads.

If you'd like to catch up and watch this incredible episode of The Big Scottish Book Club, click here. 
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