Portrait featuring Micki Pistorius, Forensic psychologist, criminal profiler and author
Description
What goes on in the mind of a serial killer?
Were they born this way or made so?
Are they capable of change?
What does a criminal profiler do?
Why do people fall in love with criminals?
These are but a few questions we explored in this week’s podcast during this fascinating conversation with Micki Pistorius, South Africa’s first criminal profiler and the first woman in the profession.
Micki is recognised as one of the world's foremost psychological profilers. Her best selling book Catch me a killer is based on her life and journey as a forensic psychologist. The true crime TV series of the same name was inspired from her autobiographical writing.
I think it’s fair to say that this is one of the most interesting conversations I’ve ever had. I know it may sound like I say the same thing every week, but you won’t want to miss this one.
00:00 - Intro
00:59 - What goes on in the mind of a serial killer
02:51 - Lack of empathy
04:44 - What is a serial killer looking for?
06:09 - Can they change?
08:01 - Can the brain of a serial killer be rewired?
10:24 - What does a criminal profiler do?
13:27 - Testifying in court as a forensic psychologist
15:10 - Is profiling a skill?
17:12 - Falling in love with a criminal
18:48 - Emotional detachment
20:50 - Dealing with the emotional toll
22:03 - Why Mauritius?
24:20 - Being ready for crime
26:19 - Preparing our institutions
27:35 - Catch me a killer and writing
30:02 - Archeology
31:22 - The history of crime
32:25 - Favourite archeological site
34:32 - Loving France
37:34 - Teaching
38:14 - Profiling losing track
39:55 - Any regrets?
41:20 - Studying profiling
42:32 - Can AI replace a human profiler
44:34 - Solving cold cases
United States
