Lights, Camera… Murder? Criminal Acts and the Quest for the Spotlight

Original Air Date: Monday, July 09, 2012

We live in an era of information - instant coverage of crime, murders and manhunts and a public appetite to devour news and social media as quick as it's available.

It raises questions about the motivation for horrific crimes, including the shooting deaths of armoured truck guards in Edmonton and a gory murder in Montréal. One suspect allegedly posted comments about making the 6 o'clock news. The other was arrested while reading headlines about himself.

How common is the desire for fame and notoriety among those suspected of horrible crimes? How might our fixation for information feed those acts?

Joining us for this discussion is Dr. Al Riediger, Psychologist with Arch Psychological Services; Robert Remington, Senior Editorial Writer with the Calgary Herald and Co-Author of "Runaway Devil"; and Doug King, Associate Professor in the Department of Justice Studies at Mount Royal University.