Rise in true crime: MHS students and staff fascinated by forensic investigations

Kaiya Lakes | The Chronicle

It seems like every other week, Netflix releases a new docuseries about yet another high-profile murder case, and almost every time, it takes just a few days for it to become the most-watched show on the platform.

True crime media such as shows, books and documentaries have become increasingly popular, but it is not commonly understood why. Why do people find themselves so intrigued by such dark and obscure stories, and what does that say about human nature?

57% of Americans, a large portion being high school students, report consuming true crime content on a weekly, if not daily basis, according to a poll administered by YouGov—an data analysis firm that aims to explain our interest in crime. This means that a large percentage of high schoolers seek out and absorb true crime information so frequently that they can consider themselves “enthusiasts.” 

Mason High School (MHS) offers a variety of classes and extracurricular activities that explore the sciences behind true crime, such as Cold Case, a two-semester course taught by Randy Hubbard. MHS senior and true crime enthusiast Roan DeSilva says that it is the adrenaline and suspense that keeps him engaged in crime stories and narratives.

“The cases that wind up being interesting to me usually have some sort of big mystery behind them, and that’s what really draws me in.” DeSilva said. 

DeSilva said that his personal investment in true crime has definitely shaped his high school experience, and, in some ways, guided his choices on what to pursue in college. 

“I’d like to go into law and criminal justice because I want to help people on both sides of the spectrum, both criminals and victims,” DeSilva said. “I want to get involved and be able to handle high-stakes cases.”

Like DeSilva, MHS junior Kyra Jackson said that true crime has been a lifelong passion for her- and a possible career path. Courses like forensics, biology, and anatomy have proven to interest her more and inspire an occupation in this particular field.

“My personal interest has led me to take forensic-based and more science-y classes in school right now,” Jackson said. “It was definitely a huge influence on my future career choice of forensic anthropology.” 

Jackson said that her curiosity and inclination to learn, characteristics gained through her passion for diving into true crime, have tied in well to her personal and academic life. The time she has spent analyzing cases has taught her the importance of thorough investigation.

“I think [my passion] proves that I have the ability to think deeply and critically,” Jackson said. “[People who work to solve crimes] have to be smart and think outside of the box, and watching them has taught me to do the same, even in everyday situations.” 

The bigger question is less about what captivates the audience and more about why the viewers are so engaged. MHS Forensics and Cold Case teacher Randy Hubbard says that true crime may be so intriguing because it extends the complexity of our thinking, stretching our brains to lengths that normal activities don’t.

“[Exploring] true crime really forces you to use your brain to figure out a puzzle, find the answers that haven’t been found yet—and many people find that fun,” Hubbard said.

Hubbard said that even though this might explain what we like about true crime and why it’s so intriguing, it also poses the question of what it says about a person and their psyche.

“I think when I’m out, I tend to observe things a lot more,” Hubbard said, “like for example I refuse to sit with my back to the door—I like to see who’s coming in and who’s going out.”

Hubbard said he felt that a person’s inclination to watch and decipher true crime on a frequent basis says that they most likely enjoy searching for a deeper meaning, thinking outside of the box, solving puzzles, and overall just doing things that force their minds to work harder, probably so much so that this trait is evident in their careers and personal lives.

Hubbard said the connection between his career and his passion has allowed him to preserve the enthusiasm that he has for true crime in a new way, giving him ambition and motivation to do what he does, especially since simply taking in information about true crime isn’t enough to fulfill and satisfy his personal fascination.

“Teaching and sharing this interest has given me that purpose,” Hubbard said, “it gives me something different to teach [my students] that they can then carry with them.”

The current obsession with true crime may be different for every viewer. Hubbard said that each true crime story can be left open to interpretation, giving each individual audience the opportunity to form their own judgment and thoughts about a story. 

“Everyone can choose a different way to think about crime,” Hubbard said, “[The commonality] is that it makes us think in the first place.” The information available about true crime is, in some ways, open to interpretation, and each individual person can choose how they want to utilize their interest.” 

“I want to be a part of something—not for me, but for them,” Hubbard said. “I want to let [victims and their families]  know that people aren’t forgetting their stories.”