Crime Night

Let's be honest - although it's rare and macabre - we are fascinated with serial murder and the people that do it. Just look at the number of TV shows, films, novels, documentaries, and podcasts that exist on the topic. But why are we so interested in serial killers? And are some of us interested in serial killers more than others? Surprisingly, this has not been directly researched... until now! This talk will outline what we know about serial killers and the latest research on our fascination with them.

Dangerous, dark and difficult to detect, poisons have been a common character in literature from ancient times to the modern day. Their ability to perform deadly deeds at a distance is a common device for creating dramatic tension and playing on our real-life fears. But what is fact and what is pure fiction about the toxins and tinctures in our favourite works? Using a fictional ‘case’ and real forensic toxicology, we will explore the truth behind these tales.