By James R. Acker Crime has held a horrible fascination for people in many different times and cultures.
Crime stories are dramatic.
They frequently involve fallible individuals confronting terrible temptations, reflect compelling subthemes of good and evil, and reveal basic human character flaws as well as episodes of stark heroism. As recounted in works ranging from Shakespeare to Dostoyevsky and Hitchcock, they have long permeated the written and film media. Cop and lawyer shows dominate prime time-crime time television. Criminal trials have been described as the last great form of public morality play. Although the typical fare of criminal justice is not destined for Hollywood or the New York Times best seller list, the public lure of matters involving crime and punishment is indisputable.