After meeting writer Nicolas Tredell in 2018, I found him to have a keen understanding of true crime, writing, and history. He has edited a new book focusing on the Truman Capote novel, In Cold Blood. We discuss the infamous Clutter family murder as written about in Capote’s world-famous work, as well as in multiple film and television adaptations, as well as the influence of such a style of writing.
Show Highlights:
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The Clutter family murder in Holcomb, Kansas in 1959. The shocking nature of such a crime in its time as compared to today.
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The psychology of the perpetrators, Smith and Hickock. The “folie à deux” (“madness for two”) element in this murder. The social-psychological factors involved.
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The very pertinent issues in this case, impacting us to this day, including insanity as a defense, the death penalty, and so forth.
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What is appealing regarding this case and Truman Capote’s book, In Cold Blood.
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The cross-cutting technique in Capote’s writing and other prescient features that are hallmarks of modern true crime and fiction stories.
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What is special about the true crime novel as literature and why true crime remains so popular.
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The accuracy of these kinds of based-on-a-true-story type novels and movies. Can such a genre ever be completely accurate, or is some embellishment necessary to truly convey the ideas?
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Capote’s possible insight into how our changing world was relevant to the Kansas murders. Crimes motivated for self-esteem.
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How our modern life, highway travel, technology, and other factors all contribute to crimes manifested in new ways.
Critical Insights: In Cold Blood, Edited by Nicolas Tredell (2020):
https://salempress.com/book/critical-insights-in-cold-blood
The Clutter Family Murder:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clutter_family_murders
In Cold Blood (1967):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061809/
In Cold Blood (1996):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116619/
Capote (2005):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379725/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
Infamous (2006):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420609/?ref_=fn_al_tt_2
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Criminal Behaviorology
Episode # 68
Title: An Intro to Crime and Behavior Analysis
The entire presentation can be found on the YouTube channel:
@criminalbehaviorology -
The views of our guests do not necessarily reflect those of Criminal Behaviorology, nor our sponsors.
Donate to Criminal Behaviorology Patreon:
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Once a student. Now I lecture. I graciously accepted this opportunity to speak at my alma mater. I hope this lecture serves as an introduction to this field. As I have discussed in previous episodes, there are many different areas to cover in this subspecialty. I did not include the questions from students, but one can deduce from my answers what the focus is. Also, from the highlights below.
Highlights:
- Literature in support of using ABA in Forensic Psychology
- Association for Behavior Analysis International Special Interest Groups
- Different forensic settings where ABA can be applied
- The challenge of implementing ABA in forensic settings
- ...
Criminal Behaviorology
Episode # 67
Title: The Scope of Forensic Behavior Analysis: One Panelist’s Point of View
The entire presentation can be found on our YouTube channel:
@criminalbehaviorology -
The views of our guests do not necessarily reflect those of Criminal Behaviorology, nor our sponsors.
Donate to Criminal Behaviorology Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/u81930699
Towards the end of 2025 I was invited on a panel to discuss applied behavior analysis and scope of practice. My specialty area had to do with (you guessed) crime and behavior analysis. I saved my modest contribution, and will present it here now. Just my point of view. Enjoy.
Highlights:
- My beginnings in the field, and where I see the combined specialties of crime, forensics, and behavior analysis at this point in time.
- How graduate students can prepare themselves for their own work in this area.
- Inpatient care, and how behavior analytic interventions can gain greater acceptance.
- Other licenses and ...
Criminal Behaviorology
Episode # 66
Note: To purchase a CE (1.0) for this episode, BCBA & BCBA-Ds, write to: [email protected]
Title: Behavior Analytic Supervision is a Process - Part II
The entire presentation can be found on our YouTube channel:
@criminalbehaviorology -
The views of our guests do not necessarily reflect those of Criminal Behaviorology, nor our sponsors.
Donate to Criminal Behaviorology Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/cw/u81930699
All four authors of an upcoming book on supervision join the podcast for this overview of supervision. This extraordinary panel focused on behavior analytic supervision, featuring a discussion between Michael, Valeria, Lynn, and Joe about the challenges and best practices in supervising behavior analysts. This is a follow up to our discussion with Joe and Michael from the last episode.
Highlights:
- The participants explored the importance of competency-based models, ethical considerations, and the need for ongoing supervision beyond initial...
Criminal Behaviorology
Episode # 63
Title: The Concept of Forensic Behavioral Analysis - A Conference in Wisconsin
The entire presentation can be found on our YouTube channel:
@criminalbehaviorology -
The views of our guests, should he have any, do not necessarily reflect those of Criminal Behaviorology, nor our sponsors.
Donate to Criminal Behaviorology Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/user?u=81930699
With the help of some of my friends, a panel discussion on forensics, language, and two intriguing criminal cases.
Highlights:
- Deception, language, and forensic behavior analysis by Kodey.
- AKA, "The Imposter" - A french fraudster impersonates a missing child from Texas. His skill as a liar reaches an unimagined level in one of the most shocking cons. How did he develop the skill to fool so many, so easily? What are the circumstances around the case that help us understand how this could have happened?
- "When in Wisconsin." Jeffrey Dahmer, and the ABC of behavior. An examination of the environmental variables....
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/criminalbehaviorology/episodes/2018-05-06T14_35_56-07_00
I would go on to interview Tony Biglan himself just this year.
