True crime

True crime is a genre of non-fiction work that examines criminal events. Authors investigate a crime by detailing the actions of people involved or affected. They also look for the motives of the perpetrator, or the person who committed the crime. This genre often focuses on violent crimes, such as murders and serial killers. These works can include high-profile cases involving famous figures like Ted Bundy or the Zodiac Killer.

Authors generally use one of two distinct styles to present their findings. The first is a journalistic style, which focuses strictly on known facts. The second is a speculative style, where the author includes personal conclusions about the crime. These stories appear in many different media formats. They can be found in magazines, books, television series, and documentaries. Digital media, including podcasts and internet videos, has also become a major part of the genre.

True crime has deep roots in history across different cultures. In the 16th century, China had a genre called gong'an xiaoshuo, or court case fiction. These stories were based on actual accounts. In Britain, between 1550 and 1700, hundreds of pamphlets and chapbooks about murders were published. These were often purchased by the artisan class. Some were sensational, while others aimed to deliver a moral message. Ballads were also written to explain the psychological motivations of criminals.

As printing became more common, the genre evolved into a modern industry. In 1807, Henry Tufts published a biography of an American criminal. Later, William Roughead wrote about British murder trials for sixty years. Many people call him the "dean of the modern true crime genre." In 1924, the first true crime magazine, True Detective, began publishing. Before World War II, 200 different true crime magazines were sold on newsstands. They sold six million copies every single month.

Books have played a massive role in the popularity of this genre. While murder makes up less than 20 percent of reported crime, it is in most true crime stories. About 40 percent of true crime books focus on serial killers. Truman Capote's 1965 book, In Cold Blood, established a modern novelistic style. This style helped the genre become very profitable. Other notable books include Zodiac, the best-selling true crime book of all time. Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song was also a milestone, as it was the first true crime book to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Television and film have also expanded the reach of true crime. Documentaries like The Thin Blue Line, released in 1988, became very influential. Some filmmakers use reenactments to show scenes, while others avoid them to stay truthful. In the 1990s, Hong Kong saw a boom in true crime films. In the United States, networks like Investigation Discovery and Oxygen focus on these stories. Streaming services like Netflix have also found great success with series like Making a Murderer.

Recently, true crime podcasts have seen a massive surge in popularity. The 2014 podcast Serial broke records by reaching 5 million downloads on iTunes very quickly. By 2018, it had been downloaded more than 340 million times.

Podcasts often use music and sound cues to increase the shock value of a fact. They can also use a serialized format, telling a story in episodes. This helps listeners follow events as they happen one after another.

There are many theories about why people, especially women, enjoy true crime. A report by psychologist Amanda Vicary suggested women may seek tips for spotting danger. In the U.S., women made up about 73 percent of the digital podcast audience in 2019. Another theory is that these stories trigger a fear response. This causes the body to release adrenaline. The serialized nature of podcasts allows listeners to experience these adrenaline rushes in quick bursts.