Criminology Chats

Today’s Criminology Chats case is a horrific one—an ex-boyfriend kills his ex-girlfriend’s family and a friend living on the property. What drives someone to commit something like this? What warning signs were missed? And how did a protective order—meant to keep someone safe—fail so completely? Listen as JR and Grace delve into the case of Joseph Casterena.

In this engaging episode of Criminology Chats, JR and Miranda converse with retired Youth Corrections Officer, Shane Foster, and his daughter Cory. Cory will provide her perspective of being the daughter of a youth correctional officer.  You don’t want to miss this episode.

In this engaging episode of Criminology Chats, JR, Miranda, and Grace converse with retired Texas Ranger and Sheriff Lane Akin. He dedicated 50 years to law enforcement in Texas. Lane will share insights about his experiences as a Texas Ranger and Sheriff. He will delve into the murder of Heather Rich, a high school cheerleader who was tragically killed by three boys one night in October 1996. Lane was among the numerous law enforcement officials who investigated the case, providing him with a distinctive viewpoint for our audience.

In this compelling episode of Criminology Chats, JR, Miranda and Grace chat Sergeant Michele Wood. She has spent 25 years with the Chicago Police Department. One of a select few women to serve as a homicide detective on the city’s violent West Side. Her record is unmatched: thousands of cases, hundreds of arrests, and over seventy-five department awards. Certified as an FBI crisis/hostage negotiator, Wood has led investigations into homicides, police- involved shootings, sex crimes, and domestic violence—bringing justice to victims and families. Her drive comes from a personal vow she made after surviving a violent attack at age 11, an experience that fuels both her toughness and her compassion. Wood is a familiar face in true crime television, appearing in Dick Wolf’s Dead Again, Oxygen, Investigation Discovery, ABC’s 20/20, and On Patrol Live. She’s currently developing an investigative documentary series based on her caseloads and a True Crime advocate- community engagement platform. Beyond the badge, she got her master’s in public safety management - all while raising her daughter.

Today, we will have a conversation with Dr. Jim Iaccino. He earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from DePaul University. In 2007, he became a part of The Chicago School and is now serving as an Associate Professor in the Online Forensic Psychology Department. Dr. Iaccino has spent decades researching the portrayal of serial killers in cinema. Recently, he initiated the Cinematic Serial Killers Research Project, engaging Forensic students in analyzing films that depict real-life serial murderers. Tune in to hear his insights!

In this compelling episode of Criminology Chats, JR and Miranda delve into the case of Kristi Fulgham, who is serving a life sentence without parole for the murder of her husband, Joey Fulgham, in Mississippi. The discussion explores a complex case involving themes of murder for hire, familial betrayal, and a crucial Mississippi Supreme Court decision.

In this episode hosts JR and Miranda chat with Dr. Jeff Hood about the death sentence. He is a theologian and spiritual advisor to death row inmates nationwide. He has accompanied eleven men to their executions, including the first and eighth nitrogen hypoxia executions. For both his service and scholarship, he was nominated for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Links for Dr. Hood: https://www.facebook.com/revjeffhood/ https://www.premierchristianity.com/jeff-hood/2796.bio https://www.executionintervention.org/story

On today’s podcast, hosts JR, Ashley and Miranda explore the difficult but essential conversations about relationships, safety, and healing. They tackle a topic that affects millions of people worldwide yet often remains hidden behind closed doors: Intimate Partner Violence (IPV). They will talk with Dr. Patrick Brady, from the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, (UCCS) Co. He specializes in a variety of criminology areas including IPV. He has done research that focuses on how officers and prosecutors can corroborate evidence beyond physical injuries in domestic violence complaints. We hope you enjoy it. "BE SAFE OUT THERE!"

🎙️ Welcome, listeners! Before we dive into today’s episode, I have an important update for you. This is our final episode of the year, but don’t worry—we’ll be back in 2026 with brand-new episodes of Criminology Chats! We’ve got some incredible content lined up for next year. Our first episode of 2026 will drop on January 22nd at 7:00 PM EST, and after that, you can expect new episodes every two weeks. In the meantime, please keep listening, share the show with your friends on social media, and help us grow this amazing community. And as always, remember: BE SAFE OUT THERE! Now, let’s get into today’s topic—the Reindeer Case. This one’s full of mystery, a touch of magic, and a whole lot of belief.

In this episode, hosts JR and Grace will engage in a conversation with Detective McDonald from the Aurora Colorado Police Department. Detective McDonald will talk about investigating cold cases. He will explain some of the difficulties and triumphs in working on them. He will elaborate on three cold cases that were resolved using modern DNA techniques alongside fundamental detective practices. We hope you enjoy it. "STAY SAFE OUT THERE!"

In this episode JR is doing a live taping at Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), Lakewood, CO as part of the Mental Health Academy. This is a collaboration between The Chicago School and RRCC. The guests are Jack Storti and brain injury survivor who turned into a Treatment Court Program Manager and Sarah Covey the Director of Denver Reentry Services of the Brain Injury Association of Colorado. Her spouse is a brain injury survivor. We hope you enjoy this episode and the valuable information Jack and Sarah discuss about this topic. 

In this episode Hosts JR and Ashley chat with two police cadets in training at a police academy in Colorado. They are about half-way through their training and Ashley, and I wanted to get their perspective at this time in their training. We chatted with them on the same day but at different times based on their schedule.

We expect goblins, ghosts, and ghouls to roam the streets on All Hallows Eve; what we do not expect is murder. In this episode JR and Ashley discuss two murder cases that happen on or around Halloween. The first case is that of Shauna Howe. In 1992, Halloween was cancelled in Oil City, Pennsylvania. However, around 8:00 PM on 27 October 1992, Shauna was walking home from a Girl Scout Halloween party when she was abducted and killed. m home. The second case is a case from October 31, 1957, called The Trick-or-Treat Murder.    

This is the case of Jessica Reeves-Burrola doing Life Without Parole (LWOP). One night high on drugs and alcohol changed her life forever. Was it self-defense or revenge murder. “Jes” has been in email correspondence with us, and we are providing our listeners with information she provided.

In this episode JR and co-host Carley chat with Brandon Hall. Brandon is a native of Nashville, Tennessee.  For about 25 years he has been an emergency 911 dispatcher with the Metro Nashville Department of Emergency Communications. 

Elderly crimes and scams are serious issues. Scammers often target seniors because they might be lonely or not familiar with technology. These scams can take many forms, like phone calls where someone pretends to be from a government agency or a charity. They may ask for money or personal information, like bank details. Other's use the hope of love and romance to steal. Some scams even use fake emails to trick elderly people into clicking on bad links. By being aware and informed, older people can help themselves from falling victim to crime and scams. This is what today’s guest focuses on.

The San Luis Valley is in Southern Colorado and is one of the largest high desert valleys in the world. It is situated between the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range on the east and the San Juan Mountain range on the west. Between August-October 2020, in the heart of COVID Adre "Psycho" Baroz killed five people the authorities could prove but were there more?

The Men in Black are a figure of popular culture, often depicted as shadowy figures in black suits who intimidate or silence those who have witnessed UFOs or have information about them. Dr. Josh Goodwin, a retired special agent from The Office of Special Investigation (OSI) for the Air Force, chats about Project Blue Book, an Air Force study that ran from 1952 to 1969 to study UFOs.

In this episode hosts JR and Ashley chat with retired FBI agent Jonny Grusing. Jonny talks about the case of Harold Henthorn. He worked the Henthorn case with many other FBI agents and a retired National Parks Special Agent Beth Scott. Jonny provides details on how he and the other agents were able to determine that Henthorn killed his second with Tori.

In this episode of Criminology Chats, host J.R. and co-host Grace engage in a discussion with two faculty members from the Chicago School regarding Megan’s Law and the Jesse Timmendequas case.

In this episode, Dr. Paul Boxer, from Rutgers University, Newark, NJ talks about violent media, the impact on youth aggressiveness and later violent behavior.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Marissa A. Harrison from Penn State University (PSU) Harrisburg, PA who has studied female serial killers and written a book about them.

This is part 2 of the tragic case of Army Sergeant James T. Murphy. In this episode we start with Murphy arriving in West Germany and we will quote from his on emails to us about his actions leading to the death of three people.  Listeners will hear from Rich Vitaris one of Murphy's military defense attorneys at his original trial. We will talk about Murphy’s psychological testing that was done a decade after his conviction.  Please follow us, share us with your friends and family. 

Welcome to this episode of Criminology Chats, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of crime, justice, and everything in between. Today, we're tackling a fascinating yet tragic case, one that raises difficult questions about evidence, justice, and the complexities of the human psyche. This is part one of a two-part series about the disturbing case of Army Sergeant James T. Murphy. Murphy was convicted by a military court-martial in December 1987 for the premeditated murder of his wife, Petra Murphy, his 5-year-old stepson, and his one-year-old biological son, all of which occurred in August 1987 in West Germany.

In this episode we will be speaking with Police Chief Randal Moody of the Harrisonville Missouri Police Department.

In this episode, the leadership team from the Cold Case Foundation will engage in a discussion with students at the Chicago School. They will share insights on how the foundation supports families and law enforcement in tackling unsolved murders, serial crimes, and related cases. Tune in to learn more about their vital work in bringing closure to these challenging situations.

Welcome to this episode of Criminology Chats. I’m your host, JR Rainbolt. Today, we have the honor of speaking with Tyler Allen, the esteemed host of the popular true crime podcast, Minds of Madness. Joining us are several students from The Chicago School, who will engage with Tyler through questions and discussions. Tyler will share insights about his podcast journey and delve into the intricate case of Jennifer Shirm, which he explored in a four-part series over two years. We will also hear from Jennifer’s son, who was only 18 months old at the time of her tragic murder, as well as Shane Waters, a private investigator involved in the case. Notably, Tyler's extensive research suggests a potential connection between Jennifer's case and the West Mesa murders in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Denise C. Vargas, PsyD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, who provides valuable insights into the mental health challenges faced by incarcerated individuals. Dr. Vargas shares her unique experiences working in jails, where she frequently engages with inmates. She examines the profound effects of trauma and addiction on these individuals, highlighting how these elements frequently contribute to their criminal actions. Join us for an enlightening conversation that uncovers the intricate relationship between mental health and the criminal justice system.

In this episode, we engage with Dr. Angela Williamson, a prominent expert in forensic DNA analysis. She explores the intriguing field of forensic genetic genealogy and its significance in solving cold cases. Dr. Williamson underscores the essential role of funding and collaboration in these efforts, illustrating their profound impact on victims and their families. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation at the crossroads of science and justice.

Season 1 Episode 101 of Criminology Chats delves into the resolution of a 40-year-old cold case associated with serial killer Joseph Irvin. This episode highlights the significance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, advancements in forensic genetic genealogy, and the dedication of investigators to achieving justice for the victims. J. R. Rainbolt leads this enlightening conversation for The Chicago School.