Brits believe they could solve murders after picking up tips from TVcrime shows
British armchair detectives claim they could solve murder, a missing persons case and even cybercrimes after getting tips from watching crime-led dramas on TV and books
A third of Brits claim they could solve a murder after picking up tips from TV shows.
A study of 2,000 adults found 18% think could handle a missing person case and 17% reckon they could successfully investigate fraud.
Meanwhile 13% believe they have what it takes to solve cybercrimes like catfishing - thanks to crime-led TV, podcasts, and books.
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And 12% even think they'd do a better job than the police.
Of the 84% who've watched true crime documentaries, 58% claim they do so out of curiosity.
While 45% want to learn how detectives work and 38% like to watch them to see if they can solve the crime themselves.
Three in 10 (29%) have binged a whole true crime series in two days or less and 26% claim to love the genre.
The research was commissioned by TV channel TRUE CRIME ahead of the launch of the new series of “Killers: Caught on Camera”, starting on September 5, 10PM.
A spokesperson for the channel said: “There is and always has been a fascination with true crime stories, but more in recent years due to podcasts and documentaries being so readily available.
“Listeners and viewers like to get involved, whether solving cases, looking for clues or discussing with others.
“It’s interesting to see from the research results how involved people get and have learnt tips for solving crimes thanks to becoming immersed in TV shows - we have a nation of detectives on our hands due to such interest.
"It is important for viewers to understand, however, that quality true crime content stems from diligent effort and comprehensive research.
“The involvement and expertise of police detectives, forensic specialists, psychologists, and other professionals are indispensable."
The research also found after watching true crime shows viewers feel a mixture of emotions, from shocked (32%) and concerned (22%), to thrilled (22%) and excited (13%).
Consuming law related books, TV shows and podcasts, those polled have learnt how DNA is tested and stored (31%) and come to recognise signs someone is trying to take advantage of them (24%).
Such tips and jargon are most commonly picked up from documentaries (59%), fictional TV programmes (40%) and films based on real life (39%.
More than a third (34%) often follow crime stories as they play out in the news and 23 per cent have tried to solve investigations – with 62% of them claiming to have done so successfully.
As a result, 42% believe they’d make a good – or even great – detective, with reasons being they pay attention to detail (64 per cent), they like problem solving (60 per cent) and are inquisitive (48%).
One in 10 went as far as claiming as they’ve got what it takes to decipher some of the most complex cases.
Those polled via OnePoll admitted they get obsessed with true crime documentaries (13%) and others often ask them for series recommendations (12%).
Dr Julia Shaw, criminal psychologist and presenter of the show said: "Couch sleuthing is great, but remember those of us who make true crime documentaries whittle down months or years of police work into less than an hour.
“Don’t underestimate the tedious work involved in actual crime solving - all the dead ends, inconclusive evidence, paperwork, the waiting for search warrants, the cases that remain unsolved.
“In 'Killers: Caught on Camera', the audience gets to see actual video footage of serious crime, what we don’t show is how hard it was for the police, and us, to get all this footage together and make sense of it.
“Lean into your inner detective, the thrill of the chase, but remember that the actual job requires much more patience and stamina than it looks on TV.”