true crime
Real criminal cases
True crime is a genre of nonfiction—books, podcasts, documentaries, television series—that examines real criminal cases, typically murders.
The genre focuses on investigation, perpetrators' psychology, and victims' stories: She's obsessed with true crime podcasts.
The appeal lies somewhere between morbid curiosity and amateur detective work.
Professional crime investigator
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- fingerprintsRidge patterns identifying individuals
autopsy · ballistics · profiling · interrogation · surveillance · alibi · witness · clues
Deliberate unlawful killing
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- serial killerRecurring lone murderer
- cold caseUnsolved crime, investigation suspended
disappearance · homicide · robbery · missing person · wrongful conviction · death row · infamous · notorious
Episodic digital audio series
- documentaryFactual film about reality
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- NetflixSubscription streaming service
- streamingReal-time digital delivery
binge-watch · episode · serial · miniseries · Dateline · Unsolved Mysteries · Making a Murderer · obsession
Judicial examination of claims
- verdictOfficial court decision
- convictionFirmly held belief
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
- courtroomJudicial proceedings chamber
prosecution · defense · jury · testimony · appeal · acquittal · wrongful conviction · death penalty
Interest in disturbing things
- macabreDisturbing, death-obsessed
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- armchair detectiveOne solving mysteries remotely
- bingeBout of excess
rabbit hole · speculation · theories · sleuthing · amateur sleuth · discussion · debate · ethics
Reason for action
- psychopathPerson without conscience
- sociopathOne without conscience
- profilerBehavioral pattern analyst
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
obsession · victim · perpetrator · premeditation · escalation · pattern · childhood trauma · warning signs
detective
Professional crime investigator
fingerprints · autopsy · ballistics · profiling · interrogation · surveillance · alibi · witness · clues · suspect
murder
Deliberate unlawful killing
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- heistOrganized large-scale theft
- serial killerRecurring lone murderer
cold case · disappearance · homicide · robbery · missing person · wrongful conviction · death row · infamous · notorious · unsolved
podcast
Episodic digital audio series
- documentaryFactual film about reality
- seriesOrdered set of related items
- NetflixSubscription streaming service
streaming · binge-watch · episode · serial · miniseries · Dateline · Unsolved Mysteries · Making a Murderer · obsession · fandom
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- verdictOfficial court decision
- convictionFirmly held belief
- sentencingImposing legal punishment
courtroom · prosecution · defense · jury · testimony · appeal · acquittal · wrongful conviction · death penalty · plea deal
morbid curiosity
Interest in disturbing things
- macabreDisturbing, death-obsessed
- obsessionPersistent, intrusive preoccupation
- armchair detectiveOne solving mysteries remotely
binge · rabbit hole · speculation · theories · sleuthing · amateur sleuth · discussion · debate · ethics · exploitation
motive
Reason for action
- psychopathPerson without conscience
- sociopathOne without conscience
- profilerBehavioral pattern analyst
manipulation · obsession · victim · perpetrator · premeditation · escalation · pattern · childhood trauma · warning signs · narcissism
- booksnovel, textbooks, study guides, book, paperback
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- nonfictionbiography, autobiography, biographies, history, memoir
- true crimecold case, unsolved mystery, murder mystery, homicide, serial killer
- crime literaturemurder mysteries, detective novels, police procedurals, noir fiction, courtroom drama
- docudramasbiopics, reenactments, historical drama, dramatizations, biographical films
true crimefiction
Imagined narrative work
crime fiction · mystery novel · detective fiction · murder mystery · cozy mystery
true crimemystery fiction
Genre centered on solving crimes
detective fiction · crime novels · whodunit · thriller fiction · cozy mystery
true crimeinspirational stories
Narratives meant to motivate
human interest · heartwarming tales · success stories · nature documentary · travel writing
true, truth, crime, truly, criminal, untrue, truthful, truths, truthfulness