Chapter 7, The Heart of Darkness Summary and Analysis

The author recounts the prison interviews and data-gathering of the prison inmate study. John Douglas wonders why convicted felons agree to speak with federal agents. He assumes some are bothered by their crimes and talking may help, others like being around cops and FBI agents, some want attention or are bored while others want to relive gruesome fantasies. A published article about study goals lists four questions as an outline of inquiry. They include questions of motive and warning signs, methods to inhibit action, victim response coping strategy and treatment implications. Douglas suggests cases be studied in advance.

William Heirens is the first felon Bob Ressler and John Douglas interview for the Criminal Personality Research Project. He confesses and is convicted and imprisoned in 1946 where he is a model prisoner in Statesville Prison...