The popularity of true crime has grown immensely in recent years, but ethical questions about the genre are on the rise.

Dramas based on true crime, like Netflix’s new Dahmer, which follows the story of the infamous monster murderer, have sparked concerns about the ethics of true crime shows and whether they glorify criminals.

Xanthe Mallett, Criminologist from the Newcastle University told Mark Gibson on Perth Live that there is a high risk in creating these true crime shows especially for the families who were affected by these horrible crimes.

“Whilst many of us feel this need to understand the offenders – there is always that danger that it becomes voyeuristic and a path through the worst things that happened in a families life rather than something that is going to educate and move a case forward,” she told Mark.

“There is a fine path to tread so it doesn’t just become pure entertainment at other people’s loss.

“You forget that there are families that every time these stories are told, it re-traumatises the events for them.”

Press PLAY to hear Ms Mallet explain why true crime shows have grown in popularity