Profiles of the Criminal Mind: Inside the Psychology of Peter Kürten
The BBC documentary 'Profiles of the Criminal Mind' examines the psychological mechanisms behind some of history's most notorious offenders, including Peter Kürten, also known as the 'Vampire of Düsseldorf.'
Peter Kürten terrorised the German city of Düsseldorf in the late 1920s with a series of brutal murders and assaults. His crimes were marked by extreme violence, and he displayed sadistic tendencies that shocked the public. Kürten was arrested in 1930 and executed in 1931 after being convicted of nine murders.
The documentary draws on expert interviews, archival material and criminal-psychological analysis to give viewers insight into what drives people to commit such atrocities. Through a systematic examination of Kürten's childhood, development and crimes, the film seeks to uncover the factors that shaped his criminal mind.
The BBC's approach combines historical documentation with a modern understanding of criminal psychology, making the documentary relevant both as historical source material and as a study of humanity's darkest sides. The series is aimed at viewers interested in true crime, criminal psychology and legal history.
