L.A. Not So Confidential: The Premier Forensic Psychology Podcast

This week the docs dive into the subject of "Sovereign Citizens," individuals or groups in the United States, and increasingly, around the globe who adhere to a fringe legal theory asserting that they are not subject to the authority of government entities. In Part 2, the docs review the research literature and discuss Sovereign Citizens' engagement with law enforcement, court systems and the gene...

This week we return to the 1950's, but this time to the height of Hollywood glamour. But the other side of that golden coin is a dark underbelly that seemed to follow actress Lana Turner around in her personal life, leading up to the death of her gangster boyfriend at the hands of her teenage daughter. We discuss her success and evolution as a legendary film actress, her many failed relationships...

This week the docs dive into the subject of "Sovereign Citizens," individuals or groups in the United States, and increasingly, around the globe who adhere to a fringe legal theory asserting that they are not subject to the authority of government entities. In Part 1, the docs discuss the history of the Sovereign Citizen movement and the basics of the ideology that lends to wild and frustrating an...

Please enjoy this conversation with Eric Carter-Landin of the True Consequences podcast from 2021. Eric's baby brother, Jacob, was killed 36 years ago by his mother's boyfriend and he has never been charged. The case remains "unsolved" and without justice. Today's release is updated with a statement from Eric on his fight for justice. We discuss elements of domestic violence, intimate partner viol...

This week the docs review the one - episode documentary entitled "Hell Camp." It's a fascinating and necessary subject that falls somewhat flat in its narrative structure while still illuminating a dark chapter in the recent US history of behavioral modification and "personal growth" wilderness camps. While the sales pitch of Steve Cartisano's wilderness camp entitled Challenger Foundation sold a...

This week in the follow-up episode to Behind the Collar Part 1: Crime of the Clergy, the docs discuss the consequences of religious trauma & violence by digging into the research and reviewing some victims' stories. They also discuss the disparity between how male and female victims are treated after they report and how to empower children to learn critical thinking skills as another layer of...

This week, we recount a 1950's case of a serial home invasion robber. We lay some groundwork for life & crime in LA in the 50's before discussing the crime spree by the man wearing a green scarf over his face. We also touch on the psychological impacts of home invasion robberies on victims. Our YouTube channel You can find all of our resources on our website: https://www.la-not-so-confidential...

It’s a new year and that means a new profession to examine in terms of criminality. The bad behavior of individuals of the clergy hits harder than most due to their achieved authority status and sacred trust. The docs give an overview of organized religious atrocities before getting into individuals' crimes. They also dive into the research that tries to explain the Catholic sex abuse scandal and...

In this months documentary review, the docs take on “The Devil on Trial" a Netflix movie that tracks a bizarre story that includes a demonic possession, demon hunters, exorcism, murder and possible mental illness. Written and directed by Chris Holt, the documentary takes on a fascinating subject with somewhat disappointing results. The docs examine the contradictions in the narrative and missed op...

This week, the docs deviate from a classic forensic psych topic in order to bring you a sinister and tragic holiday mystery: The disappearance of four of the ten Sodder Family children in 1945 during a horrific and destructive house fire on Christmas Eve. To this day, the trail of the missing children remains cold with theories that range from kidnapping to murder. One thing is certain: the 45 min...

Before midnight on October 1, 1910, a serial bomber crept through the dark streets of Los Angeles placing three bombs at strategic locations for the purpose of destroying and disrupting the anti-union stances of the journalism giant, the LA Times. We cover the social and cultural history of the time, as well as the crime and trial of those responsible for this early act of terrorism. LA Times arch...

Join the docs this week for an episode that examines the intersection between criminal acts and the diagnosis of Schizoid Personality Disorder. While relatively rare and completely unrelated to schizophrenia, Schizoid Personality Disorder is found to have a greater impact than ASPD when in the presence of other diagnoses. Cases discussed include the first California school shooting and the brutal...

Please enjoy this audio from our livestream from July 2023. This week we follow up on Episode 142, The Psychology and Evolution of True Crime, by talking with one of the researchers we cited, Dr. Melissa Tackett-Gibson of the University of Colorado, Denver. She shares the preliminary results of her research on true crime consumers. Link to take her study here: https://ucdenver.co1.qualtrics.com/jf...

This week the docs review the 4 part MAX documentary series "Last Call Killer: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York”. A rare 100% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes has gotten this well produced series a great deal of exposure on a serial killer in early 1990's New York who systematically and brutally murdered a number of gay men. The documentary does a beautiful job lifting the victims lives...

This week the docs unlock the enigma of criminal acts committed by children. We delve into disturbing examples of historical and recent cases of homicides committed by children with a thorough explanation of the complexities of nature versus nurture. This Black Friday through Cyber Monday you can save up to 60% off sitewide at scentair.com, and LA Not So Confidential listeners can take an EXTRA 25...

This month's vintage episode focuses on yet ANOTHER rattlesnake - themed killer, Robert James. Using his smooth southern charm, James left a trail of destruction from the heart of Alabama across the United States, conning and killing many of the women who had the misfortune of crossing his path. Insurance cons, murder, incest and rattlesnakes all play a role in the story of this cold and vicious k...

On the heels of the release of Britney Spears' memoir, The Woman in Me, and finally getting to hear from her directly, we wanted to re-release this episode form 2021 to help better understand what conservatorships are and how they are supposed to work. We cover California conservatorships and psychiatric holds (5150 WIC). Who can this happen to and is a mental health crisis the only path to conser...

This week the docs review and discuss I Love You, Now Die: The Commonwealth vs. Michelle Carter, a two-part documentary that explores the controversial case of Michelle Carter, a teenager who was convicted in 2019 of involuntary manslaughter for encouraging her boyfriend to die by suicide through text messages. The two episodes delve into the complexities of modern communication, teen romance in t...

In today's episode, we explore the lore and research behind the ever-interesting tradecraft of Criminal Profiling. What it is, what it isn't and why we are enthralled by it. We also contrast it with Investigative Psychology and discuss cases of when profiling worked, when it didn't and what happens when a fraud gains "profiler celebrity." You're Wrong About episode David Canter et al. Study The Ca...

For this month's vintage case, we look at another untimely death of one of Hollywood's earliest stars, Ramon Novarro. A Mexican immigrant, Novarro rose to stardom in the silent film era and then transitioned to talking films at a time when the audience was hungry for "Latin lovers" like Rudolph Valentino. His journey to megastardom was deceptively meteoric and required him to hide his sexuality du...

This week the doctors bring you an episode about a Paraphilic Disorder that is often linked with serial sexual offending and killers, Sexual Sadism. We define what it is- and isn't- and how dangerous individuals are when they have a combination of Sexual Sadism and other psychological diagnosis or phenomenon. Crawlspace Episode on Dean Corll LISK Episodes Linktree Dr. Anna Salter documentary You c...

This week the docs do a double-subject tackle of THE "OG" true crime documentary from 1988 AND the term "Thin Blue Line." The documentary guides the viewer through a truly mind-blowing miscarriage of justice in the Texas judicial system that put a spotlight on law enforcement, district attorneys and judges, leading to nation wide reform. We also start off with an extensive history of the term "thi...

This week the docs explore the increasingly deadly phenomenon of Road Rage, formerly and less famously known as Highway Hostility. These moments of uncontrolled emotion often lead to criminal acts and the loss of innocent life. This episode goes heavy into the most recent research showing a startling increase in road rage around the world. And, of course, the docs end with a few valuable tips for...

In 1935, actress Thelma Todd had it all. She had transitioned successfully from the silent movie era, was in a relationship, and was the owner of a popular restaurant right on the beach. So what led to her untimely death at the age of 29? Was it murder, suicide, or accidental? The jury had their ruling and we have ours. Pacific Palisades Historical Society, Thelma Todd's restaurant YouTube channel...

The docs once again revisit another psychotic disorder, Delusional Parasitosis. In this terrifying disorder, individuals believe that they are infested with parasites or other unidentified organisms despite no concrete evidence supporting this notion. There is controversy surrounding this condition and we explore all of it, and cover a criminal case linked to the disorder as well as film depiction...