Tru Crime Day Provides Interactive Look at the Justice System

The first-ever Tru Crime Day, sponsored by Interdisciplinary Studies and Criminal Justice Studies, will take place on campus March 26.

Open to the campus and Kirksville communities, Tru Crime Day offers visitors a multidisciplinary exploration of crime and criminal justice. Through engaging panels, workshops, discussions and activities, attendees will uncover the science behind investigations, explore real-life cases and examine the social, legal and psychological dimensions of crime. Some of the events will be of particular interest for current and prospective students.

“True crime is a popular genre with people of all ages, especially Gen Z,” said Elizabeth Wiles, assistant professor of criminal justice studies and chair of legal studies and pre-law programming at Truman. “This is not just for criminal justice or pre-law students, it’s for anyone teenaged or older interested in learning more about true crime from an interdisciplinary perspective.”

Registration is not required for most events, but it is encouraged. Events marked with an asterisk require registration. To register for Tru Crime Day, visit truman.edu/events/tru-crime-day.

Tru Crime Day participants are also invited to stay on campus for a presentation by Anthony Ray Hinton. Wrongfully convicted of murder in 1985, Hinton and spent nearly 30 years on death row in Alabama. Bryan Stevenson at the Equal Justice Initiative, a non-profit based in Montgomery, Alabama, picked up his case, handling his defense for 16 years. Since Hinton’s conviction was overturned by the United States Supreme Court in 2015, he has become a sought-after speaker and author of the bestselling book “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.”

“This is a powerful memoir with themes of faith, hope, perseverance and justice, which should appeal to a broad audience,” Wiles said. “It is a powerful memoir, and this event is sure to be a transformative experience for anyone from any background.”

Hinton will speak at 6 p.m. March 26 in Baldwin Hall Auditorium as part of the University’s Holman Family Distinguished Speaker Series. His presentation is free of charge and open to the public.


Tru Crime Day Events
*Registration required

Anatomy of an Autopsy: Virtual Cadaver Lab*
Unlock the chilling secrets of the human body with Truman’s state-of-the-art virtual anatomy lab. Visitors will use virtual dissection tools to peel back layers of skin, slice open organs, saw through a skull and more. In this truly “cutting-edge” educational tool, students dig through 3D cross-sections of the cadaver to uncover crucial clues about a mysterious murder.

Voices of Justice: Conversations with Criminal Justice Professionals
Hear from dynamic panels of criminal justice professionals as they pull back the curtain on their challenging and rewarding careers. Get a firsthand look at the complex and high-stakes decisions they face every day, from courtroom drama to the chaos of crime scenes. Hear their expert perspectives and learn how each professional plays a unique role in the pursuit of justice.

Crack the Case: Mock Crime Scene Investigation*
Step into the shoes of a detective in this hands-on mock crime scene investigation. Team up with current criminal justice and forensic science students to examine a staged crime scene, collect evidence and piece together the clues. Use real investigative techniques to analyze fingerprints, track down hidden evidence and solve the mystery before time runs out.

Hometown Horrors: True Crime Writing and Podcast Workshop*
Bring your hometown’s dark tales and dastardly deeds to life in this creative writing and DIY podcast workshop. Learn how to craft gripping narratives through written words and voice. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at the Villhard Innovation Lab’s podcast studio in Pickler Library and experiment with the equipment.

Prison Break Escape Rooms
In this brain-bending prison break challenge, you and your team will crack codes, solve puzzles and piece together clues to break free. Beat the clock and earn some “get-out-of-jail-free” prizes that will have you feeling like a criminal mastermind.

From Script to Scream: Indie Filmmakers Spill Their Guts
Join indie horror filmmakers and Truman alumni Nick Toti and Rachel Kempf for a chilling discussion on how they craft suspense, fear and thrills in their films. As founders of DieDieBooks, an independent publisher of horror film criticism, and DieDieVideo, a low-budget horror film production company, they’ll share behind-the-scenes secrets from their work. Hear about their debut movie, “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This,” which premiered at TIFF’s Midnight Madness program and was called “horror’s hottest ticket” by Variety.

Killer Psychology with Sal Costa
Peak into the minds of serial killers with Sal Costa, the legendary Truman professor who taught the infamous “Serial Killers” course for nearly three decades. In this captivating session, Costa will unravel the psychology and history of notorious serial killers, exploring the strange behaviors and dark motives behind their crimes.

Laundered Lies & Dirty Money: Financial Crimes Exposed
Unravel the secrets of financial fraud and white-collar crime in this fascinating session. Learn the truth behind the headlines about greedy elites who exploit the system while everyday people suffer. In this twisted world of lies and corruption, forensic accountants are modern-day Robin Hoods – using their skills to expose corporate crooks and high-powered con artists, bringing them to justice.

Criminal Law, From Courtroom to Classroom
Explore real criminal law in this interactive class session with current students. Learn about the sources of law and discuss how the criminal legal system functions. Through engaging activities and discussions, gain a better understanding of how laws are made and applied in real criminal cases. This session is ideal for aspiring lawyers or anyone curious about the justice system.