Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The experts tell us that the number one profession for serial killers is Long Hall trucker. And there's, there's a reason for that. And a reason for why no other profession comes even close. Look, we're talking about a highly isolated job. You're on open expenses of highway. And what's happening with these killers is they are grabbing their victim in one jurisdiction. They're raping and murdering her. It's almost always her in a second jurisdiction. And they're dumping the body in a third jurisdiction. So you literally have a moving crime scene. And it makes for chaos in the law enforcement community." — Frank Figliuzzi
"The bottom line is serial killers tend to go with what they know their creatures are creatures of habit just like we are so for example if they use the victim's clothing to choke them they tear it apart they tear he tore his t-shirt up they make a knot they gag and or strangle her with it that knot is what they know and how they make a knot and that's going to be studied and looked for at other locations as is using the victim's clothing as is whether they are naked or partially naked is what's naked the top or the bottom have they been mutilated is it a knife killing a strangulation or a gunshot that's killed them how are they mutilated are they found in water under a tree face down face up all of that factors into the kind of crime scene forensics that absolutely are part of the FBI's database." — Frank Figliuzzi
"The FBI analyst back at Quantico will literally read the morning paper and they'll go whoa that murder in New Jersey that dead body that sounds an awful lot like something we've seen before and they'll open a support case right away that's very wow that's great that's great" — Andrew Zapraski
The episode features Frank Figliuzzi, former Assistant Director of the FBI, discussing his book "Long Haul: Hunting the Highway Serial Killers." Figliuzzi explains why long-haul truckers are statistically the most prevalent profession among serial killers, attributing this to the isolated nature of their work, which allows them to operate across multiple jurisdictions without immediate detection. He details how victims are often abducted, murdered, and disposed of in different states, creating a "moving crime scene" that complicates investigations. The creation of the FBI's Highway Serial Killings Initiative is highlighted as a response to this pattern, with the goal of connecting cases and identifying perpetrators.
Figliuzzi contrasts different types of trucking, such as flatbed versus dry van, suggesting that the less physically and socially interactive roles, like dry van, may be more common among perpetrators. He also touches upon the evolution of trucking technology, noting that while modern trucks have advanced tracking and monitoring systems, these measures do not entirely prevent criminal activity, as drivers may use downtime or other means to commit offenses. The discussion explores the challenges of distinguishing between individual crimes and serial patterns, emphasizing the importance of meticulous crime scene analysis, forensic evidence, and data aggregation within the FBI's systems.
The conversation also delves into the use of genealogical DNA analysis in solving cold cases, acknowledging both its power as an investigative tool and potential privacy concerns. Figliuzzi shares compelling anecdotes, including the case of Robert Ben Rhodes, to illustrate the horrific nature of these crimes and the dedication of law enforcement in pursuing justice. He also provides practical safety advice for travelers, stressing situational awareness and the importance of trusting one's instincts, especially when on the road. The role of truckers themselves in combating crime, particularly through programs like Truckers Against Trafficking, is also recognized.