Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"The whole plan here was to make the suspect think that they are trapped in basically a haunted booth with a ghost and since mysticism was really big at the time, like we're talking say ounces and stuff, you can kind of see maybe where she's coming from." — Ashley Flowers
"So, according to the skeptics dictionary, chronology is a study of the structure of a person's skull to determine a person's character and mental capacity." — Britt
"The whole plan here was to make the suspect think that they are trapped in basically a haunted booth with a ghost and since mysticism was really big at the time, like we're talking say ounces and stuff, you can kind of see maybe where she's coming from." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie celebrates the podcast's third anniversary and reflects on its significant impact, including charitable contributions and the upcoming launch of a nonprofit for DNA testing in cold cases. Hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt then delve into a collection of bizarre historical facts related to crime. The first topic introduces Helene Adelaide Shelby's 1927 patent for a confession booth designed to psychologically manipulate suspects by incorporating a skeleton, hidden cameras, and a megaphone, aiming to create an apparition effect. While this invention was never built, it highlights early, imaginative approaches to interrogation.
The discussion shifts to the pseudoscience of phrenology, where Britt explains its core belief that skull structure reflects character and mental capacity, developed by Franz Joseph Gall. The concept posits that "brain organs" grow with use, altering skull shape, and could be used to identify and even "rehabilitate" criminals. This leads into the work of Cesare Lombroso, often called the "father of criminology," who blended phrenology with physiognomy (facial feature analysis) to argue that some individuals are "born criminals" based on physical traits. The hosts note the deeply racist and antisemitic nature of these theories, while acknowledging their lingering influence in popular perceptions of criminality.
Finally, the episode explores historical methods of public humiliation as punishment. Ashley details the "shame mask" from the Middle Ages, which physically represented a person's crime, and the particularly misogynistic "scold's bridle" used to punish nagging women. The "ducking stool" for couples and the "flute of shame" for bad musicians are also discussed, underscoring the diverse and often cruel ways societies have sought to control behavior and enforce social norms through public shaming, with the hosts emphasizing that while these practices were barbaric, modern society's challenges are certainly preferable.