August 29, 1996

A Look into the Criminal Mind

In this segment, we revisit two interviews about the psychology of murderers. First, an interview with John Douglas. For 20 years, Douglas investigated serial murders for the FBI, and developed techniques to get criminals to talk, and to lure them into capture. Next, psychiatrist James Gilligan. He's spent twenty-five years treating violent men, as former medical director of the Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane, and director of mental health for the Massachusetts prison system.

20:24

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Guests

Host

Terry Gross

Other segments from the episode on August 29, 1996

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, August 29, 1996: Interview with John Douglas and James Gilligan; Interview with John Douglas; Interview with Park Dietz.

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August 29, 1996

09:39

A Murder Investigator on the Psychology of Criminals

We return to our 1995 interview with former head of the FBI's Serial Crime Unit, John Douglas. He talks about his experience interviewing serial murderers.

Interview

John E Douglas

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August 29, 1996

16:03

How to Determine Criminal Insanity

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Park Dietz has served as an expert witness for the prosecution in the murder trials of John Hinkley, Joel Rifkin, Jeffrey Dahmer and others. In each case he presented evidence against the defense of insanity, saying that these men knew that they were committing terrible crimes. In this interview, he explains how he determined Jeffrey Dahmer's culpability. (REBROADCAST from 12/12/94)

Interview

Park Elliott Dietz

Transcript

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Former head of the FBI's Serial Crime Unit, John Douglas. For 20 years he investigated serial murders for the FBI, and developed techniques to get criminals to talk, and to lure them into capture. He also pioneered criminal profiling. Many of his techniques have been adopted by police departments and prosecutors nationwide. Douglas interviewed such notorious killers as Charles Manson and Richard Speck. He has a new memoir, Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit (Lisa Drew book, written with Mark Olshaker).

Interview

John E Douglas

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April 16, 1996

13:54

The Causes of Violence and How to Prevent It, Part 1.

Psychiatrist James Gilligan. He's spent twenty-five years treating violent men, as former medical director of the Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane, and director of mental health for the Massachusetts prison system.

Interview