Key Takeaways

• Tricia, an investigative crime reporter specializing in cold cases, shared her experiences working on cases from the 1970s, a decade characterized by a lack of DNA technology.
• The podcast hosts and Tricia engaged in dark humor and discussions about murder and crime reporting, often blurring the lines between sensitivity and comedic tangents.
• Tricia discussed interviewing a suspect in a 1974 missing person case, detailing the process and her belief in his guilt.
• The conversation touched upon the phenomenon of ‘scuba sleuths’ finding submerged vehicles with missing persons and the challenges of cold case investigations.
• Advice was given on interviewing potential murderers, emphasizing building rapport and finding common ground, even if it involves dark humor.

Segments

The 1970s as a Decade of Mayhem (~00:07:00)

• Key Takeaway: The 1970s are characterized as a ‘decade of mayhem’ due to the lack of DNA technology, making it easier for people to go missing and for cases to remain unsolved.
• Summary: Tricia and the hosts discuss the 1970s as a period ripe for cold cases because of limited forensic capabilities. They touch upon the cultural aspects of the era and the ease with which people could disappear.

Interviewing a Suspect (~00:17:00)

• Key Takeaway: Tricia interviewed a suspect in a 1974 missing person case, who is currently in a secure facility for dangerous sexual offenders.
• Summary: Tricia recounts her experience meeting and interviewing a suspect in a cold case, describing the setting and her impressions of the individual. The hosts engage in humorous speculation about the interview process.

The Phenomenon of ‘Scuba Sleuths’ (~00:40:00)

• Key Takeaway: There’s a growing trend of scuba divers discovering submerged vehicles containing missing persons, often solving cases that were previously attributed to foul play.
• Summary: The conversation shifts to the recent phenomenon of scuba divers finding cars in lakes that contain missing individuals, many of whom disappeared in the 60s and 70s. This leads to discussions about accidental deaths versus suspected crimes.

Interviewing Serial Killers and Building Rapport (~00:50:00)

• Key Takeaway: Effective interviewing of serial killers involves building rapport and finding common ground, potentially through humor or shared experiences.
• Summary: Tricia asks Conan for advice on interviewing serial killers, and they discuss strategies like establishing comfort, using humor, and finding commonalities to elicit confessions or information.

The John List Case (~00:58:00)

• Key Takeaway: The John List case, where a man murdered his family and evaded capture for 25 years, highlights the challenges of cold cases and the impact of media like ‘America’s Most Wanted’.
• Summary: The discussion turns to the infamous John List case, detailing his crimes, his successful evasion of capture, and how he was eventually apprehended. The motivations behind his actions and the societal context of the 1970s are explored.