Last Podcast On The Left Last Update on the Left - Episode 12 - BTK Returns w/ Katherine Ramsland
Mar 23, 2026
Katherine Ramsland, professor of forensic psychology and prolific true crime author, discusses her decade-long contact with Dennis Rader. She examines disputed victim claims, ambiguous journal entries, physical evidence issues, and Rader's media games. Short reflections compare him to other killers and touch on his everyday persona, motives, aging in prison, and Ramsland’s coping and upcoming work.
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Skepticism Around New BTK Victim Claims
- Katherine Ramsland urges skepticism about linking new cold cases to BTK without solid corroboration like DNA or clear chain-of-evidence.
- She contrasts ambiguous clues (a pantyhose, a word puzzle) and media-driven interpretations with rigorous testing and charges.
Ambiguous Clues Versus Forensic Standards
- Ramsland highlights how ambiguous artifacts (knotted pantyhose, journal entries) can be misread as proof without DNA or proper handling.
- She notes Sheriff Burden handled items without gloves and delayed tests, undermining forensic reliability.
Bring Charges Only When Evidence Supports Them
- Bring charges when you have testable evidence instead of staging media reveals that suggest links to famous offenders.
- Ramsland urges task forces with experts to use DNA and formal charges rather than public puzzle-games.
