LAST UPDATED 04 JUNE 2017
As the American novelist Mark Frost once said…“Crime has always been a regrettably consistent element of the human experience”, and it is an element that intrigues us to the point of fascination. Across the web, writing on crime can be found in crime blogs, true crime websites or as part of journalism as new crimes unfold and criminals are revealed. Crime and criminal behaviour is awash with groups, individuals, actions and behaviours which we question and probe.Here are some of the best resources when exploring the crime genre. A mix of true crime blogs, extensive resource sites, tales of the past and a range of investigative crime reporting. Not to forget the true stories of when the criminal justice system gets it wrong resulting in the innocent going to prison and being wrongfully convicted.
True Crime Blogs & Websites
An engaging crime blog by author and crime writer Patrick H Moore which explores true crime through discussion articles, a look at crime in literature, and of course serial killers and mass murderers.
A crime blog exploring the more bizarre and curious aspects of crime from around the world, with in-depth articles, a monthly newsletter and an active true crime discussion forum.
A crime blog from investigative journalist Rob Tripp explaining Canadian crime, criminals and the justice system. A large blog with a great deal of original material available.
An attractive and easy to navigate true crime documentary website which searches, identifies, describes and catalogues free crime related documentaries for people to watch all in one place, with currently over 500+ documentaries available.
The true crime website of Investigation Discovery providing articles on crime in the news and current crimes and criminals including podcasts, crime feed lists and a section on Facebook crimes.
A fact-based true crime website from journalists JJ Maloney and J Patrick O’Connor covering all areas of crime, criminals and criminal justice. From organized crime, serial killers and capital punishment to celebrity crime, historical crimes and government corruption, this is a well written site with more than enough topics and cases to keep you occupied for hours.
Combining crime news with crime awareness with a true crime podcast covering individual cases with Nancy Grace. Categories include family crime, trials, most wanted, missing and celebrity justice.
A fascinating crime blog from Garry Rodgers, retired homicide detective and forensic coroner who posts regularly, providing ‘provoking thoughts on life, death and writing’.
A crime blog covering true crime past and present where stories are intertwined with crime science, forensics and psychology, with both famous and little-known cases being featured.
A popular crime blog which takes an in-depth look at individual cases, exploring true crime including criminal investigation, policing and criminal law from crime writer Jim Fisher.
A wonderful blog that is well-written with interesting, in-depth full coverage of true crime cases across a wide range of different categories. An easy to navigate website with plenty of content to keep you reading and intrigued through articles that make you think.
A unique project dedicated to covering every single case of murder and manslaughter from crime to conviction in London. Providing a searchable database this is a comprehensive resource highlighting the level of homicide in England’s capital city.
A blog and podcast internet radio show, Sword & Scale is a popular resource for true crime enthusiasts. Radio podcasts explore all areas of true crime and how the criminal justice system tries to deal with it. With a long list of criminal categories to choose from, on their blog you will find regular high quality articles from a range of authors showcasing many historical and unusual crimes.
Dark obsessions in a gritty website for fans of true crime, horror, mysteries and historical crimes. Including sections for books and podcasts along with a weekly newsletter full of more grisly tales.
A personal-opinion based true crime blog covering the full range of crime from historical crimes, cold cases and missing people, to family abductions and police cover-ups, plus crime book reviews. Interesting reads with thought-provoking opinion, well worth a look.
A really interesting true crime blog bringing you everything true cime, from news and and information about fresh cases to missing persons, unsolved murders, serial killers and cold cases including many cases you may never have heard of.
A true crime news website featuring strange but true crime through to homicide and those who are missing. Including sections for Top 10’s and a searchable unsolved murder database.
For fans of the show Forensic Files with commentary on individual episodes from New York writer and editor Rebecca Reisner.
Providing a fresh take on crime and media issues from female professionals including best-selling true-crime authors, award-winning journalists, crime novelists and criminal justice professionals.
Historical True Crime Blogs & Cold Cases Websites
The author website of Ann Marie Ackermann with a fascinating historical true crime blog providing in-depth articles on the history of crime, forensic science and historical true crime in Germany and the Civil War. This is a site with unique articles you always learn from and discover new gems of crime history you didn’t know about before.
An extensive crime blog by Laura James exploring historical true crime and criminals. Topics focus on the overlap between crime and murder, history and journalism giving this blog an interesting slant on the criminal world of the past.
A resource blog dedicated to raising the profile of cold cases and telling the stories of the victims of crimes which remain unsolved. Wrongful convictions and issues of criminal justice are also featured here.
A crime blog where you can discover forgotten crimes and forgotten criminals lost to history. A look into the past with mugshots, feature stories, galleries and books giving plenty to explore and learn.
A large well-written site providing case summaries, articles and updates for all of Iowa’s unsolved murders and persons who’ve gone missing under mysterious circumstances.
A blog seeking angles on crimes that have been overlooked taking a look at cold and unsolved crimes and breaking news stories featuring guest posts and interviews.
A wonderful crime blog on historical true crime. Laid out like a newspaper, Richard O Jones takes you on a journey through case after case, ‘remembering the scandals, scoundrels and scourges of America’s past’. Featuring enthralling podcasts alongside short stories and newspaper clippings, this is a site where you can be kept entertained for hours.
Crime Psychology & Criminal Law Blogs
A blog bringing together published academic work from a range of contributing authors and law professors. Topics explore the law and criminal justice with a resources section for further information and learning opportunities.
While not focused on crime, Dr Griffiths is a Chartered Psychologist and Professor of Behavioural Addiction whose blog provides fascinating insights into addictive, obsessive, compulsive and extreme behaviours with many articles on criminal behaviour and the psychology that can lie behind it.
PSYCHOLOGY TODAY – LAW & CRIME
A central point for a huge selection of articles from a range of authors covering the psychological aspects of crime and the criminal justice system. Providing a list of all law and crime blogs along with pages of articles for you to explore.
A crime blog aiming to encourage more accurate reporting of criminal law in the media. Referenced articles on high-profile cases and an interesting section highlighting the viewpoints of the various different people involved in a crime.
SHADOW BOXING: PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
The crime psychology blog of Dr Katherine Ramsland examining the dark areas of the criminal mind. Often writing on current crime events giving insights into the individuals behind the headlines.
The crime blog of the Pat Brown Criminal Profiling Agency exploring criminal cases and true crimes. With comments encouraged this is an active site with in-depth articles for discussion.
WICKED DEEDS: PSYCHOLOGY TODAY
The crime blog of criminology professor Dr Scott Bonn examining criminal motives and the criminal mind. With articles ranging from female killers to profiling and the attitudes of the media, this is a fascinating blog to follow.
Investigative Crime & Forensics Websites
Sponsered by the Criminal Justice Legal Foundation of Sacramento, California, this blog examines crime and criminal law including crime news, criminal cases in the US Supreme Court and research with public policy implications. Lots of categories to explore in an extensive and easy to navigate blog.
An extensive website covering all aspects of forensics and forensic science including forensic biology and forensic chemistry with informative articles on crime scene investigation and crime scene analysis. If you are interested in forensics, you are not going to get bored soon on this site.
A quarterly newsletter publishing high quality research articles focusing on forensic mental health-related topics. This site comes from the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies in partnership with Concordia University, St. Paul.
A website with current crime news articles and a popular blog section where established bloggers, academics and professionals in the fields of criminal justice discuss topical issues.
Bringing together news and research from forensic science. A fascinating site for what is happening in the world of forensics, including an interviews section where practicing forensic scientists explain their roles and give insight into their field of work.
NATIONAL ORGANISATION OF VICTIMS OF JUVENILE MURDERERS (NOVJM)
A voluntary organisation made up of murder victims families of those killed by teenage offenders. Extensive coverage of cases, new research and the debates over juvenile crime. Formed in 2006 in response to efforts to overturn the sentences of those who murdered their loved ones.
The crime section of the New Scientist where current crime research and news events inspire informational and thought-provoking articles. This is a site where there is always something new and interesting to read including criminal cases, policing and the criminal justice system.
A site for academic journalism with a crime section full of quality articles written by practicing academics. With different sections depending on your country of choice and numerous contributing authors, The Conversation provides great reading.
An extensive resource site for criminal justice news and investigative reporting from the Center on Media, Crime and Justice and Criminal Justice Journalists. With resources, news and reports covering all aspects of crime and justice, this is an excellent reference site to keep up to date on research and the most important criminal justice news, issues and developments.
A website focusing on intriguing true crime cases, research and original articles with a view to examine the psychological, sociological and political factors of crime and justice. A wide range of categories with over 600 posts including an extensive and very useful resources section.
VICE provides news articles on current crime events along with investigative reports on topics from the death penalty to domestic violence to prisons and terrorism. A great resource for anyone with an interest in crime and criminal behaviour and current crime in the news.
Wrongful Convictions Websites & Innocence Blogs
Actual Innocence is a podcast dedicated to telling the stories of people, in their own voice, who have been convicted and then exonerated of crimes they did not commit. These are podcasts you will want to listen to.
While no longer operational, the website of INUK is an excellent resource for further information on the issue of wrongful convictions containing links to key websites, agencies and organizations in the UK alongside a list of research articles and publications on the topic.
Inside Justice is an investigative unit for alleged miscarriages of justice and a division of the not-for-profit newspaper Inside Time which has been a voice for prisoners since it was launched in 1990. The unit assists those in prison who are protesting their innocence by reinvestigating their cases. The website provides case histories and a range of articles and advice on all issues surrounding wrongful convictions.
MISCARRIAGES OF JUSTICE UK (MOJUK)
MOJUK was founded in 1996 ‘to keep alive the stories of those people in prisons nation-wide who are campaigning against a miscarriage of justice.’ An extensive resource and a powerful voice for those affected by wrongful convictions.
The Innocence Project is a passionate and influential organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. Their site features detailed case studies and current news including how you can get involved.
A crime blog focusing on wrongful conviction of the innocent around the world. Featuring articles, links and resources, this site is a hub for information on wrongful convictions and encourages discussion and learning on the issue.
