A new exhibition on the world’s worst serial killers coming to Dublin is coming to Dublin - but is there something inherently distasteful about people’s interest in true crime? 

Inescapable Darkness: A Serial Killer Exhibition promises people it will “Uncover the chilling truths behind the world’s most infamous serial killers and the investigations that brought them to justice.” 

Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ed Gein, Fred and Rose West will be among those whose lives and horrendous crimes will be explored. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, TV psychologist and true crime author Emma Kenny said there are understandable reasons why people are interested in murder. 

 “First of all, women most of all are fascinated,” she said. 

“About 70% of the true crime market, to some degree, is inhabited by women. 

“And mostly women over 30 to about 65 - that’s the primary area.

“The reason for that is, first of all, women feel more impacted by crime - not necessarily because that’s statistically true… but we feel it more.” 

Lucy Letby.

Ms Kenny added that women therefore often are able to “put themselves in the shoes of the victim” and feel hugely empathetic towards them. 

“So, that genuinely lends itself to wanting to know why,” she said. 

“And even though people believe there is a level of voyeurism, when it comes down to the reality, it’s much more to do with this sense of, ‘How did these things happen? 

“‘Why did these things happen? I need to know more about these things because I need to protect myself and I also want to feel that level of empathy towards those people.’

“So, it’s less about the voyeurism and more about the connection.” 

Rose West on her way to Winchester Crown Court for her murder trial. Pictue by: Alamy.com.

Many families are also keen to see the stories of their loved ones’ lives told in a way that is respectful. 

“I think there’s always that balance for families,” Ms Kenny said. 

“It would be hypocritical of me to say I don’t tell people’s stories - I do, I tell people’s stories and I talk about victims. 

“I think it’s about how it’s handled and what its intent it’s about. 

“We’re also going to want to know about these crimes because they’re so distinct from normality and humanity.” 

History

Ms Kenny continued that it is similar to how people read about and try to understand the most violent periods of history. 

“People go to Auschwitz, they don’t go to Auschwitz to enjoy the idea of the Holocaust and six million people being murdered,” she said.

“They got to Auschwitz because they can’t believe it happened and they want to feel connected to that.” 

Ms Kenny concluded by saying that she personally would not go to an exhibition about serial killers, as she has “no connection with the killer” and reserves her support and empathy with their victim.

Inescapable Darkness: A Serial Killer Exhibition opens in December. 

Main image: Serial killer Ted Bundy mug shot. Picture by: Alamy.com.