Neither Fear Nor Symmetry in the World of Katherine Ramsland
You never know where you might find Katherine Ramsland in her search for her next story. She might be mingling with FBI profilers, observing an exhumation, investigating a haunting, or talking to a serial killer. Although Dr. Ramsland is a professor of forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University, in Pennsylvania, and the program director for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, her writer’s eye is vigilant. It has led her into the vampire and S&M subcultures, convocations for death investigators, and discussions with necrophiles. She’s not afraid. As a teen, she hitchhiked across the country and then crossed it again on a 350 Honda. Then, in her own words, she “became educated by accident.”
To date, Ramsland has published more than 1,000 articles and 54 books. To name a few: The Mind of a Murderer: Privileged Access to the Demons That Drive Extreme Violence, The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, The Human Predator, Inside the Minds of Serial Killers, and The Devil’s Dozen: How Cutting-edge Forensics Took Down 12 Notorious Serial Killers. She blogs regularly for Psychology Today and wrote extensively for Court TV’s Crime Library on forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial killers. Her most recent project involves interviewing a serial killer over the course of several years to foster reflections over his development. They also play chess.
Dr. Ramsland has worked with prominent criminalists, coroners, detectives, and FBI profilers. Among her co-written books are case analyses with former FBI profilers John Douglas and Gregg McCrary. She trains law enforcement and speaks internationally about forensic psychology, investigative psychology, forensic science, jury dynamics, and serial murder. Over the past decade, she has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as The Today Show, 20/20, 48 Hours, Larry King Live and E!. She is the recurring expert for the 2013 and 2014 season of Twisted and has consulted for Bones and CSI.
In the following passage, Ramsland describes her approach to some of her more unusual – and dangerous – projects:
“Danger is strangely attractive. It’s arousing, and makes us feel alive. When we read true crime accounts, we can experience this shivering dread within a protective frame. The stories fascinate us, but we also know we can put the book down and walk away. We can feel the energy without being overwhelmed by anxiety. We get close to the bodies without having to do the autopsy, or see through a killer’s eyes without concern over being arrested. We’re voyeurs. We step through a massacre to satisfy our morbid curiosity, but also to raise our sense of anger: we want good to prevail, limping along though it may be, and the perp to go down. The investigation that probes closer and closer provides tension and relief, and the court case with a final just verdict is cathartic. If the story is well told, we feel for the victims, the investigators, and the families who must suffer through it. With the exception of crimes not solved or bodies never found, these stories feel right. They restore our sense of safety and hope.”
INTERVIEWER
Can you discuss how your work/research in forensics is integrated into the classroom?
RAMSLAND
I teach primarily four courses, all of which are forensics: Introduction to Forensic Psychology, Dangerous Minds, Psychological Sleuthing, and Behavioral Criminology. That pretty much sums up my research as well. My two different work lives integrate well. If I’m writing about a case, I can find a way to use it in the classroom, and things I discover for the classroom trigger ideas for writing.
INTERVIEWER
Let's just start with a few basics about what forensics typically involves. Most of us imagine lots of field work like CSI/Law & Order, or Sherlock Holmes using powers of deduction. Do forensics experts tend to spend a great deal of time at crime scenes or are they usually in labs working with computers and complex technologies? Further, can you generally elaborate a little on how TV fails to accurately portray forensic science?
RAMSLAND
There are many different areas of forensics. There's investigation, research, and lab work. I'm involved in forensic psychology. Sometimes I consult with death investigators, detectives, or attorneys, but I'm primarily involved in research and teaching. Generally, TV shows fail on several levels. First, the plots are usually contrived; hardly ever do they reflect good research in the forensics field. Second, fiction fails to reflect how long and complex a forensic investigation can be. One thing that really bugs me is how many of the CSI-type shows suggest that lab personnel and detectives brainstorm together on cases. This is not science. The lab technicians should not have any frames of reference about who the "bad guy" might be. In short, TV fiction is oversimplified. When they say they have "consultants," what they mean is that they pay someone to give them some ideas, but the consultant has no power to change unrealistic plot points. I've consulted on several TV shows and even wrote a pilot for one. I was astounded by the process and I can see why so many of these shows "jump the shark" where actual forensics is concerned.
I also have a pet peeve with the way forensic psychologists are often portrayed as psychoanalysts. This just isn't true for those who consult for police departments. In addition, psychologists are not detectives and ought not to be portrayed as such.
INTERVIEWER
How do you separate yourself from work? Have you found working in forensics has affected your personal life and/or your worldview (do you look at everyone as a potential murderer, etc)? Have job(s) posed concerns for the safety of family or friends?
RAMSLAND
It has affected my personal life insofar as men are generally intimidated by what I do. It doesn't take long before they pressure me to change my job or field of study. Instead, I change my relationship with them. I know well enough that if one dims one's passion to please another person, resentment will eventually build. That being said, whatever danger I might have been in I've accepted as part of being a writer. It's not necessarily attached to forensics. I'm not a prosecutor or a detective. But I am an adventurer. I don't let fear hold me back and I don't tend to worry.
INTERVIEWER
What are your thoughts on how we can protect ourselves from becoming statistics based on your real life encounters and research?
RAMSLAND
Be vigilant. Don’t accept media stereotypes, which make you more vulnerable. Don’t think like a victim. It sends signals to predators of your vulnerability.
INTERVIEWER
Federal agents are portrayed in many ways in mainstream culture. I personally most enjoyed Dale Cooper from Twin Peaks. You worked with a couple former FBI agents on their books, I would guess that you hit walls a number of times when they told you certain information was classified. How were you able to assist? Was the process rewarding, frustrating, or a little of both? How did these experiences pose challenges as a writer?
RAMSLAND
When you enter into an arrangement with federal agents or former federal agents, you find out the terms beforehand and you agree with them. In that case, it’s pointless to get frustrated. I knew upfront that whatever we wrote would be read and evaluated, and that some might have to be deleted. My experience has been positive. All of the agents with whom I’ve worked or whom I’ve interviewed have been courteous, deadline-oriented, articulate, and accomplished. They have enjoyed learning the writing process as much as I’ve enjoyed learning about their arena. Since I’m not a journalist looking for an exposé, I didn’t find the experience frustrating. Even the agents tasked with evaluating the manuscripts were quick. I’d do it again without hesitation.
INTERVIEWER
What are your thoughts on the current state of the publishing industry?
RAMSLAND
This is both the best and worst of all times to try to get published…I think the best advice I can give is to do what it takes to retain your love of writing and learn to roll with the punches. You must be able to adapt to the changes that come at you. And they will!
Writers typically must reinvent themselves to keep getting published. So, among my genres are biography, narrative nonfiction, encyclopedias, vampire novels, philosophy, psychological short stories, ghost stories, self-help, immersion journalism, romance, academic treatises, TV guidebooks, travel essays, blogs, interactive mysteries, co-written memoirs, investigative narratives, history, and true crime. Even a cookbook! I try to write about things that inspire my passion, but I also pay attention to what sells. No matter how much we want to write about what we love, the audience counts.
I generally try to do things that no one else is doing, like jump into the vampire subculture as an “embedded journalist” who wears fangs and participates in clandestine activities, or go out with ghost hunters as a skeptic who’s willing to try anything – ANYTHING – to see a real ghost. Sometimes things get quite graphic, but I’m always curious.
INTERVIEWER
Thoughts on upcoming projects? Do you expect to participate in any more immersion journalism? You do seem to enjoy working on many projects at once (books, blogs/articles, teaching)—do you enjoy having many projects going at once? Where do you most enjoy spending your time at this point?
RAMSLAND
I like to research and write. Currently, I’m running a master’s program, so I have to concentrate on this, but my free time is devoted to writing projects. I’m writing e-books on true crime in specific states for Notorious USA. I just did four: Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. I’m working on three more. I’m also in the process of getting a novel published that involves Jack the Ripper’s era, and have just published Haunted Crime Scenes. I’m also in talks about a clinical analysis of a serial killer who is willing to deeply explore his development into a killer. I don’t foresee more immersion journalism, but if an opportunity came along, I’d still do it. I like that activity, but my life has changed considerably from those days. You need a lot of time to do it right.
By Mark Danowsky