Ted Bundy and the Unsolved Murder Epidemic

Speaker: 
Dr. Matt DeLisi
 
11 Sep 2023
 
6:00 PM
 
2630 Memorial Union
Co-sponsors: 
  • Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
  • Committee on Lectures (funded by Student Government)

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Dr. Matt DeLisi revisits the life and crimes of Ted Bundy in his newbook, Ted Bundy and the Unsolved Murder Epidemic, which seeks to reconcile the contradictions and controversies about his life that underscore the broader U.S. unsolved murder problem, one that is estimated between 250,000 to 350,000 open, unresolved, or cold cases. The incidence of crime is far greater than is captured by official statistics; most offenses are never detected, a concept known as the dark figure of crime which is explored here. Drawing on 25 years of practitioner, research, and consultant experiences with the most violent criminals, Dr. DeLisi offers solutions toward clearing the current backlog of unsolved murders in the United States many of which were never reported and disproportionately perpetrated by offenders like Bundy. This compelling book speaks to students, academics and readers interested in true crime, serial murder, homicide and criminal justice.

Matt DeLisi is Professor and Coordinator of Criminal Justice Studies and Faculty Affiliate of the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State University. Professor DeLisi's primary research interests include criminal careers/career criminals, self-control theory, corrections, psychopathy, and the molecular/behavioral genetics of antisocial behavior.

The University Book Store will be onsite selling his books at the event.

This lecture was recorded and can be viewed on the Available Recordings page.

Dr. Matt DeLisi revisits the life and crimes of Ted Bundy in his newbook, Ted Bundy and the Unsolved Murder Epidemic, which seeks to reconcile the contradictions and controversies about his life that underscore the broader U.S. unsolved murder problem, one that is estimated between 250,000 to 350,000 open, unresolved, or cold cases. The incidence of crime is far greater than is captured by official statistics; most offenses are never detected, a concept known as the dark figure of crime which is explored here. Drawing on 25 years of practitioner, research, and consultant experiences with the most violent criminals, Dr. DeLisi offers solutions toward clearing the current backlog of unsolved murders in the United States many of which were never reported and disproportionately perpetrated by offenders like Bundy. This compelling book speaks to students, academics and readers interested in true crime, serial murder, homicide and criminal justice.Matt DeLisi is Professor and Coordinator of Criminal Justice Studies and Faculty Affiliate of the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State University. Professor DeLisi's primary research interests include criminal careers/career criminals, self-control theory, corrections, psychopathy, and the molecular/behavioral genetics of antisocial behavior.The University Book Store will be onsite selling his books at the event.This lecture was recorded and can be viewed on the Available Recordings page.