Dark Matters: True Crime

Dark Matters Episode 21
What drives an individual to escalate from public exposure to severe criminal acts? In this episode of Dark Matters, criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey examines the underlying behavioral patterns and personality structure of Randall Woodfield. From deep-seated narcissism and fragile self-esteem to an extreme need for power, explore how psychological motives shape violent behavior and why certain offenders remain in total denial.   ________________________________Call-in show Info
Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details.
Call-In Number: 559-424-4805
Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in
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Dark Matters Episode 20
Dr. Eric Hickey welcomes forensic psychologist and former FBI analyst Dr. Kristin Bayer to examine the tragic mechanics of maternal filicide. Centered on the Lindsay Clancy case, this episode explores the critical psychological boundary separating anxiety-driven intrusive thoughts from full postpartum psychosis. Dr. Bayer breaks down how brief hospital stays, medication adjustment periods, and gaps in psychiatric safety nets fail mothers during severe mental health crises. Together, they analyze how clinical mental illness intersects with violent crime and what behavioral evidence reveals about maternal homicide.
_________________________________________Dr. Beyer's Bio
Dr. Beyer’s forensic career began as a Violent Crime Resource Specialist working with the FBI’s former Child Abduction and Serial Murder Investigative Resources Center (CASMIRC).  In 2003, Dr. Beyer was promoted to the Supervisory Social/Behavioral Science Research Coordinator position at the FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime (NCAVC) in Quantico, Virginia.  She served in this capacity through 2008.  While at the NCAVC, she provided consultation, training, and conducted research on varying topics to include serial murder, child abduction, filicide, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, and terrorism. During her time at the FBI, she also provided peer support and counseling for the Employee Assistance Program where she was deployed to the Flight 93 crash site during the FBI’s response to the events of 9/11.  She also had collateral duties where she conducted psychological assessments for the FBI’s Undercover Safeguard Program.  She was also trained and certified as a SERE-oriented psychologist with an emphasis on repatriation.
________________________________________________________Call in show Info
Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details.
Call-In Number: 559-424-4805
Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in
Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in________________________________________________________Chapters
0:00 Introduction to the case0:47 Introducing Dr. Kristen Byer2:55 Gender differences in crime6:22 Overview of the Clancy case9:45 Systemic mental health failures14:40 Politicization and legalities17:32 Psychosis and culpability22:57 Mental health vs. disorders29:37 Case parallels and outcomes32:28 Institutionalization challenges38:04 Symptoms, diagnosis, and DSM44:22 Final reflections on the tragedy

Dark Matters Episode 19
What drives individuals to seek out secret, anonymous encounters in everyday public spaces? Criminal psychologist Dr. Eric Hickey explores the hidden world of public restroom hookups and the complex dynamics of living a dual life. Drawing from court testimony, personal encounters, and real-world law enforcement operations, Dr. Hickey unpacks the non-verbal protocols, legal dilemmas, and psychological motivations behind a phenomenon found in cities across the globe.
________________________________________________________Call in show Info
Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details.
Call-In Number: 559-424-4805
Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in
Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

Dark Matters Episode 18
In the summer of 1981, criminologist Dr. Eric Hickey began his career in Georgia just as the notorious Atlanta Child Murders reached a pivotal turning point. Decades later, Dr. Hickey joined a bus filled with community activists to confront long-held doubts surrounding Wayne Williams' conviction. In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Hickey revisits the forensic evidence, fiber analysis, and complex behavioral patterns that defined one of the most controversial cases in modern criminal history.
________________________________________________________Call in show Info
Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details.
Call-In Number: 559-424-4805
Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in
Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

Dark Matters Episode 17
In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey examines a harrowing case of workplace video voyeurism in Florida where personal privacy and professional trust were completely shattered. When a highly trusted corporate attorney secretly installed hidden cameras inside office restrooms under the guise of an employee wellness initiative, private moments were covertly recorded for years. Dr. Hickey shares his direct involvement in interviewing the traumatized victims, exploring the long-term psychological fallout when safe spaces are violated and how institutions attempt to silence survivors.________________________________________________________Call in show Info
Have a story that gives you chills or a question you've been dying to ask? Leave us a voicemail or record a quick audio clip online to avoid long-distance charges! Check our website for submission details.
Call-In Number: 559-424-4805
Free Web Recording: http://link.darkmatterspodcast.com/int-call-in
Submission Info: https://darkmatterspodcast.com/contact/#call-in

Dark Matters Episode 16 Interview with Dr. Jerrod Brown
What truly drives a person to commit extreme acts of violence? In this episode of Dark Matters, Dr. Eric Hickey sits down with professor and forensic trainer Dr. Jerrod Brown to explore neurocriminology—a multidisciplinary field bridging neuroscience, psychology, and criminal justice. From prenatal development and adverse childhood experiences to head injuries, glucose metabolism, and nutrition, Dr. Brown breaks down the biological and environmental puzzle pieces behind complex human behavior. Together, they examine classic case studies like Charles Whitman to illustrate how hidden physiological factors can shape violent behavior.
Dr. Browns BioJerrod Brown, PhD, MA, MS, MS, MS, MS, MS, CTTS, EFC, CFNC, CZT, CART, GCPain, is a professor, trainer, researcher, consultant, and founder and CEO of the American Institute for the Advancement of Forensic Studies (AIAFS). He has extensive experience teaching collegiate courses and consulting with caregivers, professionals, and organizations on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), confabulation, suggestibility, trauma and adversity, alexithymia, executive dysfunction, criminal recidivism, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and youth firesetting.Jerrod has completed six master’s degree programs and holds graduate certificates in numerous areas, including pain management, applied pediatric nutrition, medical biochemistry, exercise prescription, neuroscience and the law, neuropsychology, ASD, dyslexia, other health disabilities, and TBI. Some of his professional certifications include Lifestyle Medicine, Functional Nutrition, Adult Sleep Coaching, Tobacco Treatment Specialist, Executive Functions Consultant, Brain Story, Digestive Health, Autism Direct Support, and FASD Trainer.Jerrod has conducted more than 400 workshops, webinars, and on-demand trainings for professional and student audiences. He has published numerous articles and book chapters, contributed to multiple media outlets, and is regularly featured on national and international podcasts. He is also a 2013 graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy, Minneapolis Division.

Dark Matters Episode 15
Dr. Eric Hickey reflects on his decades as a professor and program dean, examining cautionary cases where doctoral students crossed critical professional lines with incarcerated offenders. From unexpected personal attachments to career-ending violations, Dr. Hickey breaks down how intelligent, highly educated individuals fall victim to inmate manipulation and why academic success alone cannot protect against psychological exploitation.
Links Mentioned https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/rep-reg/place-lieu.aspx?id=6282
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/white-supremacist-gets-26-to-life-in-killing-of-child-molester/

Dark Matters Episode 14
Public spaces are designed for convenience, but predators view them through a very different lens. Host Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down how offenders exploit everyday environments, targeting distracted individuals in places like greeting card sections, parking lots, and store aisles. From viral exposures to non-consensual acts of frottage and public assault, this episode examines the psychology of public paraphilias, the permanent digital trail of these crimes, and practical ways to stay situationally aware.
Articles Mentioned 
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jul/20/dollar-tree-sexual-assault-goonerhttps://www.phillyburbs.com/story/news/crime/2026/08/10/gooning-anthony-oates-falls-dollar-tree-exposure-lewd-crime-assault-bucks-county-police-trenton/91243491007/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/san-diego-woman-suing-dollar-tree-over-gooning-incidents-here-across-the-country/4060517/https://www.denverpost.com/2026/08/18/gooning-dollar-tree-colorado-lawsuit/

Dark Matters Episode 13What leads a criminal psychologist to pull over for a high-risk stranger on a dark, stormy night? Dr. Eric Hickey dives into his personal history on the road, detailing how he turned passenger-seat conversations into rare psychological studies of recently released offenders. This episode explores the dynamics of threat assessment, the psychology of compartmentalizing violent crime, and the painful process required for genuine behavioral change.

Dark Matters Episode 12
Serial killers often seek total control, even behind bars. In this episode, Dr. Eric Hickey breaks down the infamous locked-room encounter between serial murderer Ed Kemper and pioneering FBI profiler Bob Ressler. Through the lens of criminal psychology, Dr. Hickey explores how intelligent predators manipulate interviewers, test physical boundaries, and play dangerous psychological mind games with those attempting to study them.