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

 

Violent crime, and the people who commit it, has long held public attention. From mission-oriented offenders and serial homicide to family annihilators and copycat violence, these cases often get flattened into headlines that prioritize spectacle over comprehension.

Coverage tends to focus on the aftermath while paying less attention to the psychological and behavioral lead-up, the warning behaviors, and the escalation points that can be recognized earlier. That leaves the public with an incomplete picture of how violence develops and where prevention and intervention can realistically happen. Clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Rachel Toles addresses those gaps by examining violent behavior through an evidence-informed psychological lens.

 

Dr. Toles is a lecturer, a media contributor, and a clinical and forensic psychologist with nearly 250,000 engaged social media followers. Her work translates behavioral science into clear, accessible explanations for the public, and she’s frequently sought as an expert voice on violent crime and risk pathways.

She provides psychological analysis on current, developing, and lesser-known cases, and serves as a resource for media outlets seeking deeper context beyond the headline. Her work includes analyzing the sequence of escalation that can precede serious violence, examining why some offenders develop repetitive patterns over time, and offering a clinical perspective on cases including Israel Keyes, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Richard Ramirez, John Wayne Gacy, along with lesser-known cases and investigative threads.

Dr. Toles has extensive experience in clinical and forensic evaluation settings and has focused her career on understanding the motivations, behaviors, and patterns of individuals who pose serious risk. She applies psychological assessment and forensic expertise in legal and consultation contexts, contributing to case analysis and broader efforts to improve public understanding of violence and prevention.

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Toles regularly serves as an expert source for television, film, and news media. She has appeared on or been quoted by outlets including CNN, NPR, Newsweek, the New York Post, DailyMail.com, A&E, HBO Max, and ABC News Nightline, as well as more than 100 local media outlets across North America.

Dr. Toles is also the host of The Psychology of Serial Killers, a live event examining the behavioral, developmental, and psychological pathways that can precede serial homicide. Through case-based analysis, she explores how many offenders lived undetected for years and how cultural myths and missed warning signs can interfere with early intervention. Audience Q&A is a major segment of the show. Following successful tours across the U.S. and Canada, The Psychology of Serial Killers returns with a new U.S. tour visiting nearly 30 cities from April through May 2026.