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High alert -

The recent assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City has put corporate leaders on high alert. The circumstances of the crime have raised concerns about the safety of executives and prompted a reevaluation of C-suite's security protocols across the country.

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Growing threat? -

The NYPD's intelligence report suggests that the fatal shooting was motivated not only by anger towards the health insurance industry, but against corporate greed as a whole. The report warns that this rhetoric could incite extremist and disgruntled individuals to violence, posing a heightened threat to executives.

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Popular reaction -

Security experts agree with the NYPD and have raised concerns that the violent act may not be an isolated incident. They point out that the positive reaction from some on social media suggests a wider sentiment of anger towards corporations, which could potentially inspire similar attacks.

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Columbine shooting effect -

Retired US Army Colonel and security expert Seth Krummrich has drawn parallels between this event and the Columbine High School shooting. He believes that the Thompson killing could serve as a catalyst for copycat attacks, similar to the impact of Columbine on school shootings.

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Suspect praise -

Eduardo Jany, News Corp's senior vice president of global security and safety, warned that the high-profile nature of the case could encourage copycat attacks. He also expressed concern about the online admiration for the suspected killer, Luigi Mangione, which could further inspire violence.

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The copycat theory -

Given the circumstances surrounding the Thompson killing, coupled with public and expert reactions, some questions arise: is the fear of copycat attacks justified, or is it simply paranoia? What exactly is a copycat criminal, and under what circumstances are they most likely to emerge?

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Origins -

The idea that people can be influenced into replicating crimes through imitation is not new, dating back to the late 19th-century work of French criminologist Gabriel Tarde, according to New York University sociologist David Greenberg.

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Origins -

However, the term "copycat" was first used to describe criminal behavior patterns by sociologist David Dressler in 1961. In his New York Times article 'The Case of the Copycat Criminal,' Dressler argued that when a series of similar crimes occurs within a short period, there's a strong possibility of imitation among the perpetrators.

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What defines a copycat crime? -

A copycat crime occurs when a criminal act is inspired by or modeled after a previous one, with a unique connection shared among them, regardless of time or location.

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Blurred lines -

The original crime, which serves as inspiration, doesn't necessarily need to be real. Fictional crimes can also influence individuals to commit copycat crimes, giving them execution ideas. Several films and TV shows, like 'Dexter' and 'Breaking Bad', have been linked to copycat murders over the years.

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Beyond the screens -

Another example is Oliver Stone's 1994 film 'Natural Born Killers.' The film is most famously connected to the crimes of teenage couple Benjamin Darras and Sarah Edmondson, who, after reportedly watching the film multiple times under the influence of psychedelics, embarked on their own violent crime spree. It's estimated that as many as 12 murders may be linked to the film.

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Modus operandi -

Whether inspired by real-life events or fiction, copycat crimes rarely mirror the original exactly. Instead, criminals often borrow specific elements, such as the motive, technique, or setting, to create their own version of the crime.

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Copycat confirmation -

Identifying copycat crimes can be challenging. Sometimes, similarities between crimes are purely coincidental. Other times, the same individual may be responsible for multiple crimes, falsely appearing to be a copycat. Additionally, increased media attention on a specific type of crime can create the illusion of a copycat trend, even when it's simply increased coverage.

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Hard to pinpoint -

Identifying copycat crimes is further complicated by factors like geographic location, timing, and specific circumstances. Ultimately, the only definitive way to determine if a crime is a copycat is to catch the perpetrator and understand their motivations. Even then, authorities are left to rely on the perpetrator’s account.

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Timing -

Pinpointing when copycat crimes are most likely to occur remains elusive due to limited research and investigation challenges. Some experts believe crime waves happen within two to three months. Others suggest a higher likelihood within two weeks of a high-profile crime. Psychology Today indicates most occur within two years, or even any number of years after the original crime.

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Copycat DNA -

In a 2015 research article, Professor Ray Surette surveyed 574 inmates, both male and female, to investigate their criminal behavior, specifically looking for instances of copycat crimes. Some 22% of respondents admitted to committing a copycat crime, with one in five of these crimes being violent.

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Men in the lead -

Surette's research also revealed that men were more likely to commit copycat crimes than women, and these crimes often occurred early in their criminal careers.

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Inspiration sources -

Additionally, the survey found that approximately 20% of inmates viewed media as a source of criminal techniques. However, they were more likely to imitate real-world criminal models, such as friends or family members.

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Inspiration sources -

Individuals who were already inclined toward criminal behavior were more likely to be influenced by media depictions of crime. One in six surveyed inmates expressed interest in crime-related stories and were significantly more likely to have committed a previous copycat crime.

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Media power -

What about individuals who have never been in trouble with the law? Is it possible that media coverage of mass shootings or popular TV shows could have such a strong influence that it could incentivize law-abiding citizens to commit violent crimes?

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Over the edge -

Jacqueline Helfgott, a professor of criminal justice at Seattle University, argues that a subset of the population, known as "edge-sitters," exists. These individuals teeter on the edge between normal and criminal behavior. Helfgott believes that various factors, including media and pop culture, can influence these individuals to engage in criminal activity.

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Influence on the majority -

Professor Helfgott acknowledges some conflicting research. While she proposes edge-sitters might be influenced by media, she also recognizes that sensationalized news stories likely wouldn't push a well-adjusted person toward crime. After all, many watch the news, yet, thankfully, most don't translate that viewing into real-life violence.

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Banalizing it -

But, as demonstrated by Surette’s research, for individuals already prone to violence, crime-related media can have a dangerous influence. Firstly, it can desensitize them to violence, making it easier to overcome their natural inhibitions against harming others.

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Masking it -

By temporarily adopting the persona of a fictional or real-life criminal, they can psychologically distance themselves from their actions, enabling them to behave in ways they wouldn't otherwise consider.

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Winning it -

Secondly, beyond providing a blueprint for action, crime-related media can reinforce the idea that replicating or even surpassing the original crime will garner the same level of attention and notoriety. This can be a powerful motivator for individuals seeking fame or recognition.

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Five minutes of fame -

Some psychologists suggest that individuals with low self-esteem, when exposed to the other factors previously listed, may be more likely to commit these crimes. They may view these acts as grand, bold gestures that will garner attention and validation.

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The bottom line -

Data suggests that most individuals convicted of copycat murders exhibited signs of violence or mental instability prior to their crimes. Therefore, crime-related media coverage may act more like a "rudder" than a "trigger," guiding individuals down a path they were already inclined to travel.

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Prevention tool -

Some sources suggest that while media can inspire criminals, it can also be a tool for prevention. Since copycats often boast about their plans, vigilant social media users have successfully identified and reported online threats, reportedly helping prevent several mass shootings.

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Media coverage -

Despite the potential for prevention through social media monitoring, media coverage of highly publicized violent crimes still requires careful consideration. Experts emphasize the importance of responsible reporting, urging media outlets to avoid sensationalizing these events.

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Media coverage -

Experts advise media outlets to minimize explicit details in crime reporting to prevent potential copycat crimes. Emphasizing severe legal consequences and directing viewers towards mental health and social services resources are also highlighted as crucial steps.

Sources: (CNN) (JSTOR Daily) (Psychology Today) (Psychologs) (HowStuffWorks) 

See also: Inside the minds of America's most notorious serial killers

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