The three-part series investigates the minds of murderers to develop psychological profiles to help solve crime.
TAMPA, Fla. (March 23, 2023) – A new true crime docuseries, “The Lesson Is Murder,” follows University of South Florida criminology Associate Professor Bryanna Fox and her five graduate students as they show the reality of how researchers analyze convicted murderers’ personality traits and motives to develop psychological profiles.
In the exclusive docuseries available on Hulu starting today, the USF students and Fox review the cases of three convicted murderers from around the nation, including serial killer Will Davis, a former nurse convicted of capital murder for killing four patients in Texas.
The goal is to uncover why killers kill and use that knowledge to help solve and prevent violent crime. It’s the same focus of the course Fox teaches at USF and of several studies she has published in academic journals. She says the idea for the show was inspired by her forensic psychology class at USF.
“Criminology is not like what you see on’ Criminal Minds’ – I wanted to do a show where I can show the actual process of how cases are solved: using research and science,” Fox said. “I also want the viewers to learn scientific and research-based information from this show, so they can identify red flags on their own and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
In addition to helping the next generation of criminologists better understand murderers, Fox, a former FBI agent, uses the psychological profiles to help law enforcement across the country prevent violent crime and solve cold cases.
To view this story on the USF Newsroom website, click here.
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About the University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, a high-impact global research university dedicated to student success, generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. Over the past 10 years, no other public university in the country has risen faster in U.S. News and World Report’s national university rankings than USF. Serving more than 50,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee, USF is designated as a Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors, placing it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF has earned widespread national recognition for its success graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.