Liamcrime

When I first discovered that notorious serial killer Ian Brady (the Moors Murderer) had written a book from his prison cell offering an insight into the phenomenon of serial killing and its analysis, I thought this can offer a fresh insight into the mind, motive and methodology of a serial killer, through the lens of a serial killer himself. The book within itself holds so much room for critical analysis and interpretation, it is incredibly challenging to pinpoint one particular finding. This blog aims to explore in smaller parts, numerous findings throughout the book- “Gates of Janus”. The book is broken into three significant chapters. The first chapter explores the contextualisation and social construction of serial murder with ties to morality, hedonistic nihilism and the social constriction of murder, and the ways in which the phenomenon of murder has been commodified and romanticised, this is explored through the lens of the media, and produces a cultural criminological narrati...

From villain to hero delves into the more insightful and integrative elements of Criminology. The comic recently published by Kevin Hoffin and Dr Adam Lynes answers some questions around rehabilitative practises for offenders who have faced high levels of institutionalism and incapacitation. The narrative explores a typical criminal offence which is realistic in today’s social and economic climate. A jewellery shop heist.   The heist takes place and the comic critically explores the mental conflictions between some of the offenders, in terms of their rationale and thinking behind their crimes. This underpins several theoretical paradigms such as rational choice, differential association and relative deprivation theory which have been made accessible for not only a non-academic audience, but possibly individuals who may not have a typically high reading and writing capability. This newly founded mechanism for education provides a fresh approach to learning, teaching and rehabilita...

Dunkirk explores the historical, social, societal and political context behind the award winning movie Dunkirk. Joshua Levine explores the plight and efforts from those who fought in the land, sea and air. The story from the sides of Britain, America and Germany were explored in depth, as well as the economic and political systems sustained in the build up to one of the biggest evacuation’s known to history. Throughout reading Dunkirk, many historical elements became apparent. Firstly the book humanised the men and women who so bravely fought for liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. Case studies, exploring the life of a British and German soldier were explored. There was a realisation that many were not ready to fight and sacrifice their lives, but yet the persistence and resilience which endured was sure to be recognised. Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Britain, gave his famous speech in 1940. ‘We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall figh...

Ross Kemp is best known as playing the role of Grant Mitchell in EastEnders, more recently however he has become a world known journalist and political investigator. Ross Kemp has been to the most dangerous parts of the world, he has been to war torn Syria to interview active ISIS fighters, as well as travelling to the world’s most dangerous regions which are torn apart by deadly gang rivalries and political instability. Ross Kemp has shown time and time again that it is possible to gain access to these communities. There is a clear need to investigate and hear the stories of those living in these communities whose lives have been turned upside down by the brutal mechanisms of gang culture. It is apparent to me, that the gang members, who agreed to be interviewed wanted to be heard. When Ross visited Moscow, he interviewed members of a far-right Neo Nazi group.   They appeared only too happy to be interviewed, which would have given them a vocal platform and a sense of recog...