True Crime Shows For The True Crime Fan

I’ve been watching all kinds of true crime shows for years. I feel like I’ve seen it all, or at least close to it. And if you’re a true crime junkie like me, you know there are lots of different types of true crime shows.

Different shows focus on different aspects of crime scene investigation, from the police work to scientific analysis to personal accounts from those involved. Whether you’re in the mood for DNA analysis, scary serial killers, or a heated love triangle, there’s a show for whatever perspective you're looking for.

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If you like the science side of crime scene investigation…

Forensic Files

Forensic Files holds a special place in my heart, because it was the first true crime show I ever watched (I started when I was 13, and I’ve seen literally every episode of it). It’s also one of the only true crime shows that focuses heavily on the scientific aspects of crime scene investigation, like DNA, blood spatter, various weapon analyses, and computer forensics (which is a big deal in the cases that are featured because most of them are from the 80s and 90s).

And that fascination has continued with Forensic Files II, which came out last year. This new extension of the original series features more recent cases and even more modern and fascinating scientific techniques used to solve them.

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If you like watching real life footage of crimes and confessions…

Lies, Crimes, And Video

Lies, Crimes, And Video focuses on police investigation through video footage of interrogations, and even the actual crimes themselves.

The footage is really unsettling at times, but there’s something about watching actual footage of a crime, or someone confessing to one, that’s so much more exciting than just watching a dramatic reenactment. The authenticity of the real thing is chilling, yet so interesting.

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If you like dramatic stories about volatile relationships…

Vengeance: Killer _

Vengeance is equal parts general police investigation and personal accounts of the events from those involved.

The murders featured all have to do with personal relationships, and the unique thing about Vengeance is that each season has a different theme of the kinds of murders they feature. Past seasons of the show include Killer Lovers, Killer Neighbors, Killer Coworkers, and most recently, Killer Millionaires.

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If you love a good love triangle or relationship drama…

Sex & Murder

I’m sure you can guess what this one’s about.

Yep, Sex & Murder deals with cases of relationships gone horribly wrong. And of course, the police investigation involved in catching the killers.

These cases include everything you’d expect from an epic lovers’ quarrel: affairs, drama, jealousy, deception, betrayal, some greed, plenty of animosity, and a ton of fiery passion.

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If you like high profile cases…

How It Really Happened

If you’re into stories about bigger, more famous crimes, you’ll like How It Really Happened.

This show is a little more varied in its content; while it does talk about famous cases like Jodi Arias, Aaron Hernandez, and Ted Bundy (which was so big it spanned over 4 episodes), it goes beyond just murders. It also talks about major attacks like the Oklahoma City Bombing, the Boston Marathon Bombing, and the Vegas Shooting, and celebrity deaths like Tom Petty, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and JFK Jr.

It includes perspectives from everyone involved, ranging from investigators, to reporters, to friends and loved ones of victims, and even victims themselves.

If you like personal stories…

Homicide Hunter/American Detective

Homicide Hunter is a uniquely personal true crime show. It’s about former Lt. Joe Kenda recounting cases he solved during his time as a homicide investigator for the Colorado Springs Police Department. His stories are honest, jarring, and deeply personal in a way that differs from many other true crime shows.

After ending Homicide Hunter last year, Joe Kenda recently returned with his new show, American Detective, in which he gives other investigators (current and former) the same opportunity, as he had, to tell their stories.

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If you like stories about famous serial killers…

Very Scary People

Who can resist watching true crime documentaries about some of the most famous serial killers in history? As terrifying as these stories are, there’s something incredibly magnetic about them that never fails to draw us in.

Very Scary People deals with the cases of many big names, including John Wayne Gacy, Jim Jones, Aileen Wuornos, Son of Sam, and the Night Stalker to name a few. Each case goes into gruesome detail that you might not see in other shows, and they feature perspectives from those personally involved in the investigations, as well as loved ones of the killers, offering a different view of these infamous figures that most people probably haven’t seen before.

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If you like unsolved or open cases…

The Hunt with John Walsh

Since his son Adam’s murder in 1981, John Walsh has devoted his life to catching criminals on the run and bringing them to justice. He’s created and implemented resources like the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and of course, the show we all know, America’s Most Wanted.

The Hunt with John Walsh is essentially a continuation of America’s Most Wanted, talking about open cases involving criminals fleeing from the law, putting their faces out there, and asking the public to help catch them.

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There are many perspectives to be seen and experienced in the world of true crime. But no matter what perspective you’re looking for in a true crime show, there’s something for the wannabe detective in all of us. And this list covers just about everything.

All of these shows can be found on either HLN or ID. Also, most of these shows have recently aired new seasons or will be in the near future. So get excited for new binge-worthy stories to come!

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