The term “true crime” (true crime) comes from the English language, where “true” means“real,” and “crime” means “crime.” It can be literally translated as “real crime.”
True crime is an engaging yet serious genre of documentary that delves into real criminal stories. Authors of such works analyze in detail the events related to the crime, uncover the actions of all participants—both victims and perpetrators—and attempt to understand the motives that drove the criminal. True crime often focuses on violent crimes, such as murders. It can highlight both individual events (kidnappings) and serial crimes committed by murderers, thieves, or cult leaders. The themes vary from widely known high-profile cases to less publicized or unsolved crimes that the author seeks to draw public attention to.
In the presentation of material, both a purely journalistic style relying solely on verified facts and a more speculative approach, where the author shares their own conclusions and assumptions about the crime, may be used.
The History of True Crime: From Ancient Ballads to Modern Documentaries
The term “true crime” appeared in 1923, but the echoes of criminal events have always captivated humanity, finding reflection in narratives long before that.
In the 16th–18th centuries, Britain witnessed the emergence of “broadsides” (from English broadsides), one-sided sheets, ballads, and pamphlets that detailed sensational murders and other misdeeds. These publications were a kind of mix of sensationalism and moralizing, satisfying the public's thirst for dramatic stories and lessons. In the 18th century, “execution sermons” became popular, where the crimes of the condemned and their moral decline were detailed. These were the first true crime narratives that combined information about real events with a didactic purpose.
The 19th century brought a new form—“penny dreadfuls” (from English Penny Dreadfuls). These cheap pulp novels, characteristic of the Victorian era, often based their stories on real criminal cases, adding elements of artistic fiction and sensationalism to attract a wide audience. They laid the foundation for the further development of the genre, showing that real crimes could serve as the basis for captivating stories.
A true breakthrough and recognition of true crime as a distinct genre occurred in the 20th century. A landmark moment was Truman Capote's book “In Cold Blood,” published in 1966. Capote conducted a colossal investigation into the real murder of the Clutter family in Kansas. He employed a journalistic approach, gathering facts and interviews, but presented the material in a literary style, creating what is known as a “nonfiction novel.” This work elevated the genre to a new level, demonstrating that real crime stories could be no less, and perhaps even more, profound and captivating than fictional ones. It proved that true crime can not only shock but also provoke reflection on human nature, justice, and society.
Where, When, and How True Crime is Reflected
The term is now used everywhere, and the genre has found its application in numerous media formats.
Books are a classic form of true crime, where authors thoroughly examine the details of investigations, trials, and the psychology of both criminals and victims.
Television shows and documentaries recreate events, including interviews with police, witnesses, victims' relatives, and lawyers. They often use dramatic reenactments to visualize events. Examples include the well-known series “Making a Murderer” and “The Jinx”, as well as Ukrainian projects like “True Crime: Chernihiv”, which adapt the genre to local realities.
A special boom in true crime has occurred in the world of podcasts. This is one of the most popular formats in recent years, allowing listeners to deeply immerse themselves in a single case over several episodes. Ukrainian podcasters, such as “Girls Kill Time” or “Insomnia | True Crime | Mysticism,” explore various criminal stories, analyze the motives of criminals, the psychology of victims, and sometimes even propose their own versions of events.
Moreover, true crime is actively present in articles and online content. Journalistic investigations, blogs, and numerous YouTube channels specialize in criminal stories. Recently, TikTok has also joined these platforms, where short, dynamic videos (usually up to three minutes) about real crimes, mysteries, and theories quickly gain popularity, attracting a new, young audience to the genre. Although less frequently, there are even video games based on real criminal cases. An example is “L.A. Noire”, where many in-game investigations and cases are inspired by real crimes that occurred in Los Angeles in the 1940s, including references to the famous “Black Dahlia” case.
Two Sides of the Coin: The Impact and Controversies of the Genre
True crime is not just entertainment but a powerful tool capable of shaping public opinion and having real consequences.The positive impact manifests in raising awareness about crime, promoting investigations, criticizing and reforming the justice system. Some supporters of the genre believe it serves as a warning and enhances personal safety.
The most common issue is sensationalism and shock value, where tragedy becomes entertainment, and the suffering of victims is minimized. This leads to disrespect for victims and their families, for whom the constant discussion of their grief becomes a source of retraumatization. There is also the risk of distorting the narrative, where authors manipulate facts to achieve a desired storyline, leading to a distortion of truth and misleading the public. The popularity of the genre has spawned the phenomenon of the “couch detective effect,” where unqualified enthusiasts publish their own unfounded theories, which can harm official investigations and unjustly accuse the innocent.
With the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a specific focus has emerged on documenting and investigating war crimes, which is critically important for holding the guilty accountable and restoring justice.
