Periodically, the vampire subculture becomes a popular subject for books, games, movies, and television programming. The vampire myth combines the romantic appeal of sex, eternal life, and supernatural power, but it is also intrinsically infused with the need to kill to sustain the vampire’s existence. For most people, vampire stories are a source of entertainment, but for a few mentally unstable individuals, the vampire subculture becomes an inducement for murder. The Vampire Trap is an example of what kind of tragedy can occur when an alienated and unstable young man becomes dominated by the fantasy of vampiric power.
Dr. Katherine Ramsland is unique in having extensive experience in researching and writing about the vampire subculture, criminal psychology, and forensics. She holds graduate degrees in forensic psychology, clinical psychology, and philosophy, and is working on a master’s degree in criminal justice. Currently, she teaches forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University in Pennsylvania.
As the founder and editor of Court TV’s (now truTV’s) Crime Library, I was fortunate enough to have several authors of Dr. Ramsland’s caliber to write for the website. It takes a particular talent to transform forensic information and psychological analysis about a criminal case into a moving, dramatic story. Dr. Ramsland has that talent in abundance.
She has published more than 1,000 articles and 38 books, including The Forensic Psychology of Criminal Minds, Beating the Devil’s Game: A History of Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation, The Human Predator: A Historical Chronicle of Serial Murder and Forensic Investigation, Inside the Minds of Serial Killers, Inside the Minds of Healthcare Serial Killers, Inside the Minds of Sexual Predators, and Inside the Minds of Mass Murderers. Additionally, she has written several books on the vampire subculture, including The Science of Vampires, The Vampire Companion, The Heat Seekers, The Anne Rice Reader, and Piercing the Darkness: Undercover with Vampires in America Today. Her background in forensic studies positioned her to assist former FBI profiler John Douglas on his book, The Cases That Haunt Us, and to co-write a book with former FBI profiler Gregg McCrary, The Unknown Darkness. She also co-wrote a book with Henry C. Lee, The Real Life of a Forensic Scientist.
Ramsland speaks internationally about forensic psychology, forensic science, and serial murder, and has appeared on numerous documentaries, as well as on such programs as The Today Show, 20/20, The Montel Williams Show, NPR, Larry King Live and E! True Hollywood Story. She was the recurring expert for the American Occult series on the ID network, and her latest book is The Mind of a Murderer: Privileged Access to the Demons That Drive Extreme Violence.