How Often Do You Think Some Criminals Might Get Ideas From Something They Read Or Might See In A Movie?

Question

Now, I am not one of those people that blames the media and television for causing violence. I'm not looking at it from that angle. I'm not saying these things CAUSE it, i'm just curious as to whether or not some criminals might get some of their ideas from these sources. For instance a bank robbery...or a way to break into a house, or something of that nature. Or the way to commit the so called "perfect murder." I've read a lot of those types of crime books and suspense stories, and I must admit, the authors can come up with some pretty good ideas. Same goes for the big screen. What's the likelihood that some criminals might get ideas from something they might have seen or read? Is it highly unlikely?

Answer 1

You mention getting ideas from books; I have a feeling that's probably rare. I know I'm stereotyping, but I think the average criminal doesn't spend too much time reading, esp. crime books. I know occasionally I've seen crime shows where the "dumb" criminal has gotten caught because he researched his crime looking up how to commit the "perfect" crime on the internet, looking up websites on whatever way he planned to commit the murder. Efficient I guess, but then they are so busted!

Watching a movie or TV maybe is more likely, although the CSI type shows tend to have two flaws that would discourage criminals I think. First of all, what would discourage me is that the criminal is always getting caught at the end; basically the premise of these shows are that criminals always leave some evidence that allows the investigators to catch the criminals and convict them which may or may not happen in real life of course....but you'd think would damper the enthusiasm of most watching them. Also, a lot of the shows I've noticed involve some kind of poison or drug; I guess maybe other people out there have more access to them or something, but in my world I just can't imagine going out there to try to purchase that or whatever. Those shows make it sound much more complicated than the average thug with a gun or whatever just doing a regular plain, old unimaginative crime. And then again, the CSI's always seem to catch the criminal who has poisoned or drugged the victim at the end of the show. So it seems a little unlikely to me. Plus, I think for me, those shows are really kind of just escapist fun; I hope most people wouldn't want to commit those kind of crimes!

I'm thinking it's more likely people get ideas maybe from going to prison or from relatives that have gone to prison, that have actually committed crimes, but I could be wrong about that....

Answer 2

Absolutely it does happen! How about the guy who's son is in the criminal justice class and he studies up on exactly what the law enforcement textbook says regarding "typical red flags" or "behavioral characteristics of x".

I saw it myself. The criminal got a free education as to what to avoid to stay under the radar. And THEN his son became a cop. Now the psycho can have Junior run someone's tag, do a background check, etc.
Gave me the creeps. I moved.

Answer 3

TV and movies have in the past given crooks many ideas of how to commit crimes.Some of the more ingenious crooks have even refined those ideas into real workable criminal techniques.

Answer 4

ive seen this on tv and yes alot of the criminals do get their ideas for crimes. think about it on all those movies where their plotting where to hide the body, how to get into the house, etc.

Answer 5

I think its possible, but only a skewed mind would attempt those thing in the first place.

Answer 6

I have personal experiences with this, and yes it happens very often.....Unfortunately!!!