Bad People: crime stories with psychological and social insight

Can one really recognize a child who supposedly died in a fire at a stranger's party? This question arises in Bad People, a fascinating podcast available via BBC Sounds. The series delves into morbid themes, psychological facets, and eerie details while exploring the complex landscapes that shape crimes. Led by journalist Amber Haque and criminal psychologist Dr. Julia Shaw, the podcast sheds light on the social and psychological dimensions of crimes. Launched in 2020, it combines storytelling with criminal psychology expertise. It's available on platforms like BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean. In each episode, Haque and Shaw present gripping and thought-provoking cases from both past and present, accompanied by well-documented insights.

In-depth journalism and unexpected crime narratives

Bad People is recognized for its thorough journalistic research that retells both well-known and lesser-known crime stories with scientific precision and empathy. Examples include episodes like the one about Delimar Vera, where a mother recognizes her daughter after many years, and the tale of a businessman’s sudden criminal tendencies linked to hormone treatment. The podcast offers in-depth analyses of perpetrators' mental states, but some listeners feel that certain episodes may sound like enumerations. The discussion about the media's role in cases like that of Christopher Jefferies highlights how the podcast not only showcases the violence of crime but also its complex backgrounds.

Conventional true crime challenged by the depths of the human mind

The series breaks with conventional true crime by uncovering the depths behind criminal acts. By engaging listeners in discussions about laws, societal norms, and the impact of crime on society, Bad People has expanded understanding beyond the sensational. Its collaboration with The Open University underscores the podcast’s educational goals and positions it as more than just entertainment. It is an enlightening dialogue about the darker corners of the human mind. Bad People, which has been nominated for several awards, offers a fresh and critical perspective on the world of crime, appealing to both the heart and the mind.

Listen to Bad People at podbean.com – and follow CrimeNews for more in-depth true-crime analyses.