What are true crime story tropes?
A trope is a familiar storytelling pattern—like a theme, character type, or situation—that tends to appear across many different stories. In true crime, tropes often reflect real-world patterns we’ve come to recognize, such as the trusted neighbor who hides a dark secret, or the detective who becomes consumed by a case. These recurring storylines don’t make the cases any less real or meaningful; instead, they help us understand the ways certain behaviors, motives, and circumstances continue to shape real-life crimes.
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True Crime Tropes and the Real Cases That Inspired Them
True crime stories captivate audiences with their blend of mystery, suspense, and shocking revelations. Over time, certain tropes have become staples of the genre, shaping how these stories are told. Below is a list of common true crime tropes, along with real-life cases that exemplify them.
1. The Innocent Victim
This trope centers on a victim who is portrayed as blameless, often emphasizing their vulnerability or innocence to heighten the emotional stakes. These stories evoke outrage and sympathy, focusing on the tragic loss of someone undeserving of harm.
- Example: The murder of JonBenét Ramsey in 1996 is a classic example. The six-year-old beauty queen’s death shocked the nation, with her innocence and young age amplifying public fascination and heartbreak. The case remains unsolved, adding to its mystique.
2. The Detective’s Obsession
In this trope, an investigator becomes consumed by a case, often at great personal cost. Their relentless pursuit of justice can blur the line between dedication and obsession.
- Example: In the investigation of the Zodiac Killer, several detectives dedicated years of their lives trying to identify the elusive murderer. Despite their efforts, the case remains one of the most infamous unsolved mysteries in American history.
3. The Unexpected Twist
True crime thrives on shocking revelations that upend everything we thought we knew about a case. This trope keeps audiences guessing until the very end.
- Example: The exoneration of Ron Williamson and Dennis Fritz in The Innocent Man demonstrates this trope perfectly. Initially convicted for the 1982 murder of Debbie Sue Carter based on coerced confessions and faulty evidence, they were later cleared by DNA testing after spending years behind bars[3].
4. The “Perfect” Crime
This trope involves a meticulously planned crime that initially seems unsolvable, often leaving investigators baffled.
- Example: The 1971 disappearance of John List after he murdered his entire family in New Jersey was thought to be a “perfect” crime. List evaded capture for nearly 18 years before being identified through an age-progressed sculpture featured on America’s Most Wanted.
5. The Red Herring
A red herring misleads investigators (and audiences), steering them away from the true culprit with false clues or suspects.
- Example: In the Amanda Knox case, investigators initially focused on Knox and her boyfriend as suspects in the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy. However, DNA evidence later pointed to another individual, Rudy Guede, as the actual perpetrator.
6. The Framed Protagonist
This trope involves someone being wrongfully accused or framed for a crime they didn’t commit, leading to a fight for justice.
- Example: Steven Avery’s story in Making a Murderer highlights this trope. Convicted of sexual assault and later exonerated by DNA evidence, Avery was subsequently accused of murder under highly controversial circumstances.
7. The Cold Case
These stories revisit old, unsolved cases with new evidence or investigative techniques, often uncovering shocking truths long after the crime occurred.
- Example: The Golden State Killer case remained cold for decades until advancements in DNA technology led to Joseph James DeAngelo’s arrest in 2018. His crimes spanned from 1974 to 1986, terrorizing California communities.
8. The Serial Killer
Perhaps one of the most chilling tropes, this involves a murderer who commits multiple killings over time, often following a specific modus operandi.
- Example: Ted Bundy is one of the most infamous serial killers in history. His charm and intelligence contrasted sharply with his horrific crimes across multiple states during the 1970s.
9. The One You Least Suspect
This trope reveals that the culprit is someone who seemed entirely innocent or unassuming throughout the investigation.
- Example: In the murder of Laci Peterson, suspicion initially fell elsewhere before her husband Scott Peterson was revealed as her killer through mounting circumstantial evidence and inconsistencies in his story.
10. Everybody Did It
In some cases, multiple people are involved in committing or covering up a crime—a twist that complicates investigations.
- Example: Charles Manson and his followers orchestrated multiple murders in 1969 as part of their cult-like operation. The collective involvement made unraveling their motives and actions particularly challenging for investigators.
True crime tropes resonate because they reflect both our fears and fascinations with human behavior under extreme circumstances. By exploring these narratives through real cases, we gain insight into criminal psychology while grappling with questions about justice and morality. Whether it’s an unexpected twist or an obsessive detective’s journey, these stories remind us that truth can indeed be stranger than fiction.
Citations:
[1] https://thebookdecoder.com/2024/03/14/decoding-murder-tropes-the-anatomy-of-crime-fiction/
[2] https://www.tckpublishing.com/mystery-tropes/
[3] https://time.com/5476081/the-innocent-man-netflix-true-story/
[4] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLif9Fu9M_M
[5] https://listverse.com/2022/07/30/ten-real-life-plot-twists-in-criminal-cases/
[6] https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/popular-mystery-tropes-for-writers
[7] https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/innocence/description-of-innocence-cases
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyoyKlUm9CU
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6l2LjXlzxQ
[10] https://www.cracked.com/article_26167_5-true-crime-stories-that-had-unbelievable-plot-twists.html
[11] https://www.cbr.com/best-criminal-minds-tropes/
[12] https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/true-crime-as-inspiration-for-fiction-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly
[13] https://www.cbr.com/most-common-crime-show-plots/
[14] https://screenrant.com/crime-shows-most-common-tropes/
[15] https://nofilmschool.com/what-is-true-crime
[16] https://openjournals.bsu.edu/dlr/article/download/4219/2210/9774
[17] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365-life-hacks/writing/what-are-genre-tropes
[18] https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/justice-studies/blog/true-crime-obsession/
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[23] https://crimereads.com/when-true-crime-meets-police-brutality/
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[25] https://www.boredpanda.com/true-crime-cases-plot-twists/
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[27] https://www.grunge.com/842726/the-biggest-plot-twists-in-true-crime-cases/
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[29] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNi0dvB-4L0
[30] https://www.law.ac.uk/resources/blog/why-we-love-true-crime/
[31] https://movieweb.com/the-most-reliable-detective-show-tropes/
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[34] https://screenrant.com/most-common-tropes-murder-mystery-tv-shows/
[35] https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/art-culture/tight-tropes-how-they-write-the-perfect-crimes-101698419665442.html
Here are some examples of documentaries that utilize these tropes, paired with the real-life cases they explore:
1. The Innocent Victim
This trope emphasizes the tragedy of a blameless victim, creating emotional resonance.
Documentary: The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez (Netflix)
This series examines the horrific abuse and murder of 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez by his mother and her boyfriend, highlighting systemic failures in child protective services. Gabriel’s innocence and vulnerability make this case particularly heartbreaking.
2. The Detective’s Obsession
Stories featuring investigators consumed by their pursuit of justice.
Documentary: The Thin Blue Line (1988)
This groundbreaking film by Errol Morris follows the obsessive investigation into the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams for murder. The detective’s relentless efforts to uncover the truth ultimately led to Adams’ exoneration.
3. The Unexpected Twist
A shocking revelation that changes the course of the story.
Documentary: Making a Murderer (Netflix)
This series chronicles Steven Avery’s exoneration for a wrongful conviction, only for him to be accused of murder years later. The twists surrounding evidence and law enforcement misconduct keep viewers guessing.
4. The “Perfect” Crime
Crimes that seem unsolvable due to meticulous planning.
Documentary: The Imposter (2012)
This film tells the story of Frédéric Bourdin, who impersonated a missing Texas boy and convinced the family he was their son. His ability to deceive authorities and the family creates a chilling example of a “perfect” con.
5. The Red Herring
False leads that misdirect investigations.
Documentary: The Staircase (Netflix)
Michael Peterson’s trial for his wife Kathleen’s death is riddled with red herrings, from theories about an accidental fall to allegations of an owl attack. These distractions add layers of complexity to the case.
6. The Framed Protagonist
Wrongful convictions that lead to fights for justice.
Documentary: Murder on a Sunday Morning (2001)
This Oscar-winning documentary follows the case of Brenton Butler, a Black teenager wrongfully accused of murder in Florida. His defense attorney’s determination to prove his innocence showcases this trope powerfully.
7. The Cold Case
Old cases reopened with new evidence or techniques.
Documentary: I’ll Be Gone in the Dark (HBO Max)
Based on Michelle McNamara’s book, this series chronicles her obsessive search for the Golden State Killer, whose identity was revealed decades later through DNA evidence.
8. The Serial Killer
A chilling look at individuals who commit multiple murders over time.
Documentary: Catching Killers (Netflix)
This series features interviews with detectives who hunted notorious serial killers like BTK and Aileen Wuornos, providing insight into their methods and motivations.
9. The One You Least Suspect
Culprits who defy expectations.
Documentary: American Murder: The Family Next Door (Netflix)
This documentary explores Chris Watts’ seemingly perfect life before he was revealed as the murderer of his pregnant wife and two daughters, shocking everyone who knew him.
10. Everybody Did It
Cases involving multiple perpetrators or conspiracies.
Documentary: Wild Wild Country (Netflix)
This series delves into the Rajneeshpuram cult in Oregon, where followers orchestrated bioterrorism attacks and other crimes under the influence of their leader, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh.
These documentaries not only showcase true crime tropes but also highlight real-life complexities that make these stories unforgettable. Whether it’s an unexpected twist or a cold case finally solved, they remind us why true crime continues to fascinate audiences worldwide.
Citations:
[1] https://crimereads.com/7-crime-tropes-we-really-could-do-without/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/serialpodcast/comments/8w428c/are_there_any_decent_documentary_series_about/
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[7] https://likewise.com/editorials/10-mustwatch-documentaries-with-unexpected-stories-and-shocking-twists
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[18] https://www.netflix.com/title/80214563
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[133] https://www.hulu.com/series/cold-case-files-dna-speaks-a16f8bae-e858-41d5-9298-30dddbca8358
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[138] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRvYp5IYJgY
[139] https://www.imdb.com/list/ls047323549/
[140] https://www.netflix.com/title/81620852
[141] https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/american-nightmare-release-date-cast-news
[142] https://theweek.com/culture-life/tv-radio/best-true-crime-documentaries
[143] https://killzoneblog.com/2024/04/tropes-to-the-left-of-me.html
[144] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Conspiracy:_The_Octopus_Murders
[145] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jvCtrbHnCk
[146] https://www.netflix.com/title/81168725
