The Psychology of Serial Killers and Why They Captivate Us with Dr. Rachel Toles

Dr. Rachel Toles is a forensic psychologist specializing in extreme violence, serialhomicide, and the cultural narratives that shape public understanding of criminalbehavior. She conducts violence risk assessments, provides expert testimony, andconsultson high-profile criminal cases. Her research focuses on the intersection ofpsychology, media representation, and societal perception of violent crime.Dr. Toles consults across television and streaming, advising on behavioral realism,offender psychology, and character development. She works with major film and televisionprojects, including Dick Wolf Productions, where she advises on the psychologicalaccuracy of crime narratives, character behavior, and threat escalation. Her media creditsalso include HBO Max, Investigation Discovery, Peacock, Apple TV, NBCUniversal, ABCNews Nightline (Impact x Hulu), Oxygen, and Sony Pictures Television. She speaksnationally and internationally on the psychology of homicide, pathways to violence, andthe warning behaviors that often appear long before an act becomes visible.