The murder of Sylvia Likens is one of the most horrific cases on record. In July of 1965, Sylvia and her younger sister Jenny Likens moved into the home of Gertrude Baniszewski, to be cared for while their parents were working out of state. On October 26th, 1965, 16-year old Sylvia Likens succumbed to injuries from months of humiliation, neglect and torture. In this podcast, we examine the details of the case, and seek to understand the mental, emotional and behavioral factors culminating is such crimes.
Show Highlights:
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The shocking facts of the case: From a seemingly normal babysitting job to unspeakable acts of abuse.
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The children of the household committed acts of violence under the direction of their sadistic mother, as did children from the surrounding neighborhood.
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The failure of the authorities on every level to intervene on the crimes committed against the Likens girls.
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Testimony of experts regarding the perpetrators’ actions.
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Convictions and sentencing.
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The troublesome question of insanity.
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Can a case like this be understood? Different viewpoints regarding crime, the environment and criminal responsibility.
Wikipedia article on Sylvia Likens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Sylvia_Likens
House of Evil by John Dean: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/house-of-evil-john-dean/1101341478;jsessionid=968FEBC05D33D9C484E6243C9DEB5765.prodny_store02-atgap18?ean=9780312946999
Victim or Survivors - Criminal Behaviorology podcast, with Dr. Karola Dillenburger (1/31/2021): https://anchor.fm/criminalbehaviorology/episodes/Victims-or-survivors---Victimology-as-Viewed-by-a-Behavior-Analyst-epodjl
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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.
