December 3rd, 2009 | 
Author: Take a minute and try to remember life before the internet. It’s difficult, isn’t it?
The fact is that the internet has proven to be the most incredibly convenient tool that the 20th Century had to offer, and for good reason. No, we’re not talking about email and social networking sites, we’re not even talking about paying your bills online. No, we’re talking about those info-pedia websites.
Twenty years ago, if you suddenly caught yourself wondering with morbid curiosity “Hey wait, did they ever catch the Zodiac Killer or what?” you’d have to make a trip to the library and look it up, double checking to make sure that the book was published recently. Today, if you’re curious, you can just go and look it up on the internet and have your answer in a minute flat.
So, beyond wikipedia, here are seven sites guaranteed to indulge that morbid curiosity about bootleggers, psychos and master crooks….
FBI Crime Database
The official FBI website on organized crime. Pretty cool stuff here. Here you’ll find a good overview of the Cosa Nostra, the history of organized crime, and how it’s evolved and developed over the years… Well, the parts that have been declassified, at least.
A History of Organized Crime
A more focused, intensive look into the history of organized crime in the United States. Pretty fascinating stuff. Sort of a wikipedia of mob life. You’ll find articles on famous incidents in organized crime history, a timeline dating all the way back to the thirteenth century, and even a glossary of mob slang.
Street Gangs Online
A fascinating look at youth gangs in America. Street gangs are typically shown in a sort of romanticized light in films like West Side Story and The Warriors, so this site can be a real eye opener, getting into the facts and the history of how street gangs came about and how they’ve changed over the years.
Mister Capone
A website fully dedicated to the one and only Mister Al Capone, undoubtedly the most iconic crime boss of all time. Here you’ll find more information on Capone and the Chicago Outfit than you could on a dozen other sites. Just a great resource for anyone with a fascination with organized crime.
Serial Killer Central
Serial Killer Central. If you’re looking for morbid Americana, look no further. Ted Bundy, Charlie Manson, Ed Gein, all the classic psychos are represented here. If you want to get a chill, check out the gallery of creepy art created by famous crazies.
Crime at About.com
Recent and historical crime stories, mug shot galleries, a reference guide for law and safety tips for crime prevention. Essentially just a simple, fascinating, thorough site on the history of crime, as well as a perfect snapshot of crime as it is today.
Snopes
Looking for a website you can lose yourself in for days on end? Beware Snopes. The famous urban legend debunker site has an extensive section on myths regarding the criminal element. Take a look and see what’s true and what’s not. Chances are, you’re in for a few surprises when you discover that everything you thought you knew about crime was not quite as true as you believed it to be. Check out the horrors section, too, if you’re in the mood for the macabre. For example, the so called “urban legend” about serial killers using the internet to lure potential victims? Actually true. But the Columbine shooters using DOOM to train for their murder spree? Actually NOT true. Just be careful, we meant it when we said you could spend days on this site.
Gil Bronson writes about how to apply to forensic science colleges.
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