Digest

This episode of Inside the Midnight Order introduces Dr. Sasha Reed, a visionary in developmental psychology and data, and her team of young women, the Midnight Order, who are dedicated to solving overlooked crimes, especially those involving serial killers. The episode delves into Dr. Reed's background, her inspiration for studying psychology, and her journey into the world of serial homicide. Dr. Reed shares her personal experiences, including the disappearance and death of a high school friend, which led her to create a database of missing and murdered individuals in Canada. The episode also explores Dr. Reed's creation of a serial homicide database and how it helped her identify Bruce MacArthur, a serial killer in Toronto. Dr. Reed discusses the surprising lack of statistically significant factors in the development of serial killers and emphasizes the importance of studying victimology and holding police accountable to prevent future harms. The episode concludes with Dr. Reed's explanation of the creation of the Midnight Order, a group of young women dedicated to solving crimes, and the criteria they use to select cases. The episode highlights the importance of Dr. Reed's databases in democratizing data and providing valuable resources for investigators.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction to Inside the Midnight Order

This Chapter introduces the companion podcast, Inside the Midnight Order, to the true crime documentary series, Sasha Reed and the Midnight Order. It highlights the team of young women who use their investigative skills to reopen cold cases and tackle one of the biggest murder cases in North America, the case of Robert Picton, a pig farmer who claimed he killed 49 women. The episode features interviews with Kena Whitworth, an ABC News correspondent, and Nancy Schwartzman, the director and executive producer of Sasha Reed and the Midnight Order.

00:01:32

Meet Sasha and the Midnight Order

This Chapter introduces Dr. Sasha Reed and her team of young women, the Midnight Order, who are dedicated to solving crimes that they feel have been overlooked, especially when there's the possibility that a serial killer could be responsible. The episode focuses on the team's first case, which involves a woman named Veronica who suspects her ex may be responsible for several unsolved murders. The Midnight Order uses their expertise in data science, criminology, and psychology to investigate the case.

00:06:09

Dr. Sasha Reed's Background and Journey

This Chapter delves into Dr. Sasha Reed's background, her inspiration for studying psychology, and her journey into the world of serial homicide. Dr. Reed shares her personal experiences, including the disappearance and death of a high school friend, which led her to create a database of missing and murdered individuals in Canada. The episode also explores Dr. Reed's creation of a serial homicide database and how it helped her identify Bruce MacArthur, a serial killer in Toronto.

00:18:58

The Creation of the Midnight Order

This Chapter focuses on the creation of the Midnight Order, a group of young women dedicated to solving crimes. Dr. Reed explains her motivation for creating the group, which stemmed from her desire to provide mentorship and support to students interested in criminal psychology. The episode highlights the group's first real opportunity to put their skills into practice when a woman reached out to them, claiming her husband was a serial killer. Dr. Reed also discusses the criteria the Midnight Order uses to select cases and the importance of their databases in democratizing data and providing valuable resources for investigators.

Keywords

Q&A

• What inspired Dr. Sasha Reed to study psychology and later focus on serial homicide?

  Dr. Reed's interest in psychology stemmed from her childhood experiences in a deep dark forest, where she spent time thinking about the darker side of humanity. Her master's degree in applied psychology and human development led her to study psychopathy and eventually serial homicide, as she felt it was a natural progression from her interest in understanding troubled children.

• How did Dr. Reed's personal experiences, particularly the disappearance and death of a high school friend, influence her work?

  The disappearance and death of her friend in 2016 deeply affected Dr. Reed and led her to create a database of missing and murdered individuals in Canada. She felt compelled to do something to honor her friend's memory and to help prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.

• What are the key elements that the Midnight Order looks for in a case before taking it on?

  The Midnight Order requires tangible proof of a crime, such as victim information, news clippings, and a clear connection between the victim and the suspect. They also look for a timeline of events and verifiable data to support the case. The team is committed to using their skills and resources to solve cases that have been overlooked or dismissed by law enforcement.

• Why are Dr. Reed's databases so important in today's world of big data?

  Dr. Reed's databases provide valuable resources for investigators and help to democratize data. They allow for the analysis of large amounts of information, which can help to identify patterns, trends, and potential suspects. By making this data accessible to other agencies and individuals, Dr. Reed hopes to contribute to solving cases and bringing justice to victims.

• What are some of the surprising findings that Dr. Reed has discovered through her research on serial killers?

  Dr. Reed's research has revealed that there is no single factor or combination of factors that can reliably predict the development of a serial killer. She has found that traditional risk factors, such as bedwetting, fire setting, and animal abuse, are not statistically significant in the development of serial killers. Instead, she believes that the way individuals think about themselves and their place in the world is a more important indicator of potential trouble.

Show Notes