Dr. Katherine Ramsland - Understanding The Dark Psychology Of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer

Dark Finds Podcast

Dr. Katherine Ramsland - Understanding The Dark Psychology Of Dennis Rader, The BTK Killer

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Published on Sep 11, 2025, 5:16:50โ€ฏAM
Total time: 01:00:31

Episode Description

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a prolific author and professor of forensic psychology. She specializes in extreme offenders and has authored numerous books on the subjects of serial killers, crime scene investigation, forensic science, and mass murder

 
In this episode, Katherine discusses the complexities of serial killers, focusing on Dennis Rader, the BTK killer. Through jailhouse visits, telephone calls, and written correspondence, Katherine worked with Rader himself to analyze the layers of his psyche. In 2016, she authored the book, Confession of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer.
 
We also delve into the rise of true crime culture, misconceptions surrounding psychopathy, the differences between forensic and criminal psychology, and the role of humiliation in violent behavior. 
 

Links

Dr. Ramsland's books ๐Ÿ“š

My new thriller How It Falls Apart out now ๐Ÿงจ

Dark Finds Podcast IG ๐Ÿ‘€ 

Patreon ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ

Dark Finds IG ๐Ÿ’€

Dark Finds YouTube Channel ๐ŸŽฌ 

Dark Finds Book ๐Ÿ“– 

Takeaways

Catherine Ramsland has written 73 books, showcasing her extensive knowledge.
She emphasizes the importance of taking time before entering college to find one's path.
Forensic psychology is a growing field that gained popularity after high-profile cases like O.J. Simpson.
The BTK killer, Dennis Rader, is an outlier among serial killers, challenging common profiles.
Psychopathy is a spectrum, and not all psychopaths are criminals.
Humiliation plays a significant role in the motivations of many serial killers.
Ramsland believes in preparing for opportunities that may arise unexpectedly.
The complexity of human behavior makes it difficult to categorize serial killers into neat boxes.
Ramsland's work includes both fiction and non-fiction, blending her expertise with storytelling.
She is currently working on a crime fiction series and a documentary about an accomplice to a serial killer.

Keywords

Keywords

Catherine Ramsland, forensic psychology, true crime, BTK killer, psychopathy, criminal psychology, Dennis Rader, serial killers, psychology, philosophy, psychopaths, psychopathy

 

 

More about Dark Finds Podcast

Some stories just hit different. Welcome to The Dark Finds Podcast, hosted by writer, true crime creator, and psychology enthusiast Gary Colton. Each episode takes you deep into the world of those who’ve lived through — or created — something extraordinary. From fighters, musicians, and war veterans to cult survivors, ex-cons, psychologists, and entrepreneurs, we explore the lives of people who exist on the edge of the norm. Through honest, often raw conversations, we uncover their journeys, insights, struggles, and what drives them.

At its core, Dark Finds is fueled by one obsession: understanding human behavior in all its forms.