Why aren't more True Crime creators anti-cop??
Credibility score: 37/100 — Low Credibility. High BS alert! Many claims lack evidence or are misleading.
BSmeter analyzed "Why aren't more True Crime creators anti-cop??" and rated it 37/100 for credibility (a BS score of 63/100 — low credibility), on 2026-07-07. Its weakest claim — "Claiming 'practically ALL' true crime stories show police messing up — a classic Volume Game." — scored 20/100 and was flagged as volume game. 39 claims were checked against the video transcript. Scores are produced by BSmeter's AI analysis of the transcript, not independent human verification.
Of 39 claims analyzed: 15 scored under 40, 22 between 40 and 69, and 2 at 70 or above.
Claims analyzed
Framing Capote's work as highlighting 'problematic aspects' — setting a critical tone. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 0:00
Using 'problematic aspects' immediately signals a negative critique without detailing the issues first. It's a loaded term.
Why this score: The phrase 'problematic aspects' is loaded language. It primes the audience to view the genre (and Capote's work) negatively before specific examples are even given. While they do follow up with examples like 'financially benefited from other people’s trauma' and 'many inaccuracies,' the initial framing uses a general, negatively charged term. A more neutral framing might introduce the specific criticisms first, then summarize them, rather than leading with the loaded label.
Original quote: “And looking back at it with a modern lens, we can see that Capote’s novel also highlights many of the modern problematic aspects of the genre as well, from the way Capote financially benefited from other people’s trauma, to Capote’s many inaccuracies in recounting the story,”
True crime creators become 'radicalized' by repeated police failures, sabotage, or direct involvement in crimes. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 0:30
Uses 'radicalized' to describe a shift in perspective, which is a strong, emotionally charged word for a change in opinion.
Why this score: The speaker uses the term 'radicalized themselves' to describe true crime creators' evolving views on policing. While the observation that creators might become more critical is valid, 'radicalized' carries a heavy connotation of extremism, which might be an overstatement for simply becoming more critical or anti-cop. A more neutral framing might be 'became more critical' or 'shifted their perspective significantly.' This word choice steers the audience towards a specific, heightened emotional response.
Original quote: “crime involves an open discussion about the failures of policing in these cases. I started to recognize creators who, when I first started watching their videos, it felt like they were giving cops the benefit of the doubt. But over time, they’ve almost like, radicalized themselves because of how…”
Claiming 'practically ALL' true crime stories show police messing up — a classic Volume Game. — Volume Game (20/100)
At 2:30
Using 'practically ALL' to imply universality without any actual data. It's an appeal to perceived frequency.
Why this score: The speaker frames their personal observation as a universal truth by saying 'practically ALL OF THEM' and 'ALL of them had police f–king up the case.' This is a Volume Game, where the sheer number of anecdotal examples is used to suggest a statistical prevalence that isn't actually quantified. A neutral framing would be: 'In my review, I found a high frequency of cases where police errors were highlighted,' acknowledging it's a subjective observation, not a statistical analysis of all true crime stories. They're not lying about their experience, but they're presenting it with a rhetorical…
Original quote: “I eventually had to stop, because it was practically ALL OF THEM. ALL of
them had police f–king up the case. There was no point in keeping track!”
Calling true crime content 'lazy slop' and 'algorithm-bait' — using loaded language to dismiss a genre. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 4:30
Using emotionally charged words like 'lazy slop' and 'algorithm-bait' to frame true crime content as inherently low quality. — It's a quick way to dismiss the entire genre without much specific critique.
Why this score: The speaker uses highly negative and dismissive language ('lazy slop,' 'algorithm-bait') to describe a broad category of content. This loaded language immediately sets a critical tone and frames the genre as exploitative and low-effort, rather than offering a more neutral or nuanced assessment of its varying quality. It's an emotional button to push the audience towards agreement with the speaker's negative view.
Original quote: “If you do a cursory flip through True Crime youtube channels, you see a lot of lazy slop. It’s easy AI clicks, it’s highly emotional, very easy algorithm-bait if your only goal is money.”
Family claims 98% of search was their effort, highlighting police inaction. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 6:30
Using a specific, high percentage from a family's perspective to frame police as negligent. It's an emotional appeal.
Why this score: The '98 percent' figure, attributed to the family, is used to emphasize the perceived lack of police involvement and the family's frustration. While the family's frustration is understandable, this specific percentage isn't presented with any independent verification, making it an emotionally charged statement rather than a fact-checked statistic. A neutral framing would present the family's feeling without a precise, unverified number, or would cite a source for the number. It's designed to evoke sympathy and reinforce the narrative of police incompetence.
Original quote: “Understandably his family has expressed extreme frustration with the police stating that 98 percent of the search effort was carried out by the family, which obviously is very frustrating.”
Citing a specific true crime documentary that criticized police — using a concrete example to build the case. — No Frame (75/100)
At 8:30
This is a solid example, naming the case and the channel. It sets up the argument with a clear, verifiable instance.
Why this score: The speaker uses a specific, named example (Jessica Easterly documentary, 2019 missing person case, New Orleans police) to illustrate their point about true crime creators criticizing law enforcement. This is good framing because it's concrete and verifiable, not vague. It provides a foundation for the broader argument they're about to make.
Original quote: “Two years ago, a huge True Crime channel did a documentary about Jessica Easterly, a woman who went missing in 2019, and they did not pull any punches calling out local law enforcement for not investigating the main suspect, Jessica’s ex-husband. “New Orleans was Jessica’s home, and the New Orleans…”
True Crime makes people believe police don't work, but conservative propaganda hides the real solutions. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 10:30
Calling solutions 'conservative propaganda' frames any alternative viewpoint as inherently biased and wrong. — It shuts down discussion.
Why this score: The speaker uses 'conservative propaganda' to dismiss any perspective on policing effectiveness that doesn't align with their own. This is loaded language because it pre-judges and devalues an entire category of thought without engaging with its substance. A neutral framing would acknowledge different proposed solutions and discuss their merits or drawbacks, rather than labeling one side as 'propaganda' upfront. It's a classic way to control the narrative.
Original quote: ““The True Crime genre makes people believe–and this is not incorrect–that police don’t work. Now a lot of people, because this is America, think that there’s like a punitive reason for that, that crime is not punished harshly enough, like the judges aren’t allowed to sentence people to death for…”
Police goals differ from actions, requiring 'powerful propaganda operations'. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 12:30
Calling PR efforts 'propaganda operations' immediately frames them negatively, implying deception rather than just communication.
Why this score: The speaker uses the term 'propaganda operations' to describe police public relations. While PR can certainly be manipulative, 'propaganda' carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting deliberate misinformation or brainwashing. A more neutral framing might be 'strategic communications' or 'public relations efforts,' allowing the audience to judge the intent and effect themselves. This word choice steers the audience's perception from the outset.
Original quote: ““Because what police actually do and the reasons for it is so different from what they tell us that their goals are, they have to have incredibly powerful propaganda operations.”
Framing police as 'bad apples' — a classic deflection technique. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 14:30
Using 'bad apples' minimizes systemic issues by blaming individuals, not the system itself.
Why this score: This phrase is a common rhetorical tool to isolate problematic behavior, suggesting it's an anomaly rather than a symptom of deeper institutional problems. It shifts focus from systemic reform to individual accountability, which can be a form of missing context when discussing broader issues like police misconduct.
Original quote: “were bad apples and not representative of their institutions. Under this Code,”
Framing 'Cops' as a 'wildly successful' show that 'drowned out' critical discussion. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 16:30
Uses 'wildly successful' and 'drowning out' to emphasize Cops's dominance, downplaying any nuance. It's a bit dramatic.
Why this score: The speaker uses loaded language like 'wildly successful' and 'drowning out' to describe the impact of 'Cops' relative to 'The Thin Blue Line'. While 'Cops' was indeed popular and had a different tone, framing it as 'drowning out any discussion' implies a direct, almost malicious, suppression of critical discourse. A more neutral framing might acknowledge the difference in reach and genre without implying one actively negated the other's message, simply that they appealed to different audiences and had different levels of mainstream penetration. It's an emotional button to suggest a vital…
Original quote: “Even though it was successful by documentary standards, The Thin Blue Line’s reach was limited by the simple fact that documentaries weren’t big business at the time. On the other hand, mainstream shows like Cops, debuting a year later, offered high energy, titillating, extremely pro-police…”
Categorizing true crime cases into three negative police-centric themes after 'a shit ton of research'. — Cherry-Picked (20/100)
At 18:30
The 'shit ton of research' leads directly to categories pre-selected to support an anti-cop narrative. — This is a classic example of confirmation bias in framing.
Why this score: The speaker claims to have done 'a shit ton of research' and then immediately presents three categories of cases: incompetent cops, biased cops, and cops as perpetrators. This framing is highly cherry-picked. While such cases undoubtedly exist and are important to discuss, presenting only these three negative categories, directly following a claim of extensive research, suggests the research was conducted with a pre-existing agenda to find and highlight these specific types of cases. A more neutral framing would acknowledge the existence of other types of true crime cases or police…
Original quote: “After conducting a shit ton of research, I’ve compiled many of the most notable True Crime cases and put them into three categories: cases where the cops were incompetent, cases where the cops were biased, and cases where cops were the literal perpetrator.”
The speaker uses rhetorical questions and quotes to highlight police incompetence, setting an emotional tone. — Emotional Button (45/100)
At 20:30
Starting with these examples immediately frames police as negligent and incompetent, pushing an emotional reaction. — It's all about setting the stage.
Why this score: The speaker uses specific, emotionally charged examples (lost evidence, 14 years without a killer) and rhetorical questions to prime the audience for a critical view of police. This isn't a direct claim but a framing device to establish a narrative of systemic failure before diving into explanations. It's designed to evoke frustration and agreement with the premise that police are often ineffective.
Original quote: “in investigating Damien’s disappearance. Seems like they truly did not give a f–k.”
“And how have police not tracked down her killer after 14 years?”
“And then the police are like: ‘Actually we can’t hand the sweater over because we lost it.’”
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU LOST IT??”
Police are incentivized to increase crime rates for bigger budgets, despite research. — Confidence Mismatch (20/100)
At 22:30
Claims police are 'incentivized to make crime rates go up' with strong conviction, but the 'research' mentioned is vague.
Why this score: The speaker makes a very strong claim: police are 'incentivized to make crime rates go up' to justify bigger budgets. This is a bold assertion about motivation. While they mention 'research that proves throwing more money at police departments actually leads to less crimes being solved,' no specific research or studies are cited. The confidence in claiming an active incentive to increase crime rates, coupled with vague evidence, makes this a 'Confidence Mismatch.' A neutral framing would present the hypothesis about incentives and then cite specific, verifiable research to support it, rather…
Original quote: “All of this to say, not only do police departments not have an incentive to prevent crime,
but actually they’re incentivized to make crime rates go up. Higher crime
rates means they get to justify bigger budgets and more officers, despite research that proves
throwing more money at police…”
Claiming 'tough on crime' policies increase crime, citing 'study after study' without specifics. Anonymous Authority. — Anonymous Authority (45/100)
At 24:30
Says 'study after study' proves policies increase crime, but doesn't name a single one. Classic anonymous authority move. 🕵️♀️
Why this score: The speaker makes a very strong claim about 'tough on crime' policies increasing crime, and attributes it to 'study after study after study.' This is a classic 'anonymous authority' framing technique. While the general idea that certain punitive measures can exacerbate societal issues is debated and has some research behind it, the lack of specific studies, researchers, or even general fields of study makes this hard to verify. A more transparent framing would cite specific research or at least the type of studies being referenced, allowing the viewer to look them up. Without that, it's just…
Original quote: “all things that are proven in study after study after study to lead to lower levels of physical and s–ual violence, and yet in our society, what we’re doing instead is punishing people in a way that actually makes people more likely to be victimzed in the future. And we’re sending the people who we…”
Claims Trump is trying to reverse initiatives by gutting federal funding — uses a loaded, accusatory tone. — Loaded Language (20/100)
At 26:30
The phrase 'of course' and 'gutting' are emotionally charged and assume malicious intent without evidence. This is pure emotional button pushing.
Why this score: The phrase 'of course' implies that Trump's actions are predictable and inherently negative, while 'gutting their federal funding' is a highly charged term suggesting severe, destructive cuts rather than, say, a reallocation or reduction. This framing uses emotionally loaded language to paint a specific political figure in a negative light, connecting him directly to the potential failure of these initiatives. A neutral framing would state the proposed funding changes and their potential impact without the loaded language or assumed intent, e.g., 'Proposed changes to federal funding could…
Original quote: “of course, Trump is trying to reverse them by gutting their federal funding.”
Equates policing with 'revenge' and prevention with 'safety'. — False Equivalence (20/100)
At 28:30
Pits 'prevention' against 'policing' as if they're mutually exclusive and policing is solely about retribution. — Oversimplifies complex roles.
Why this score: The statement 'Prevention is safety – Policing is revenge. They can’t undo what’s already been done' presents a False Equivalence. It frames policing as purely a reactive, punitive, and even vengeful act, completely separate from and opposed to 'safety' and 'prevention.' This ignores the multifaceted roles of policing, which often include proactive community engagement, crime deterrence, and emergency response, all of which contribute to safety. While policing is indeed reactive in many instances, reducing its entire function to 'revenge' is a gross oversimplification and a rhetorical device…
Original quote: “Prevention is safety – Policing is revenge. They can’t undo what’s already been done.”
Highlighting a specific case of injustice to set an emotional tone. — Emotional Button (20/100)
At 30:30
They're starting with a shocking, specific anecdote to immediately engage emotions and frame the police as potentially unjust. — It's a classic 'emotional button' move.
Why this score: This segment immediately uses a specific, emotionally charged example of alleged police misconduct ('thrown behind bars for nearly two decades despite a lack of proof') to establish a narrative of systemic failure and injustice. It's designed to evoke anger and sympathy, setting the stage for the broader critique of police actions without first presenting a balanced view. A neutral framing might introduce the topic of police accountability generally before diving into specific, highly charged examples.
Original quote: “These women were thrown behind bars for nearly two decades, despite a lack of proof that the crime even took place.”
Framing early policing as not about solving crimes, but suppressing lower classes. — False Dilemma (20/100)
At 32:30
Presents a false dilemma: either policing was purely about suppression OR purely about solving crimes. It's rarely that black and white.
Why this score: The speaker creates a false dilemma by stating that early policing 'was not about solving crimes' but 'mostly used to suppress the lower classes.' This implies these are mutually exclusive purposes. Historically, early police forces often had multiple, sometimes conflicting, objectives, including maintaining order, protecting property (which could involve crime-solving), and controlling specific populations. Framing it as an either/or situation oversimplifies a complex historical reality and serves to reinforce the narrative that policing's fundamental purpose is oppressive, rather than…
Original quote: “We can see that in its formation, policing was not about solving crimes or anything resembling what we imagine detectives to be today.”
Framing US actions as 'tamping down dissent' — a euphemism for suppression. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 34:30
Using 'tamp down dissent' softens the reality of violent colonial suppression. It's a classic euphemism.
Why this score: The phrase 'tamp down dissent' is a euphemism that minimizes the severity of the actions taken against organized resistance to colonial rule. A more neutral or direct framing would describe the actual methods used, which the video later details as 'beaten and killed,' highlighting the contrast between the mild language and the harsh reality. This choice of words shapes the audience's initial perception before the full context is revealed.
Original quote: “the U.S. learned how to tamp down dissent.”
Reforms are just 'band-aids' that don't change policing's foundations. Loaded language to dismiss efforts. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 36:30
Calling reforms 'band-aids' dismisses their impact without acknowledging any positive changes they might bring. It's a classic rhetorical move.
Why this score: This uses loaded language ('band-aid') to frame all police reforms as superficial and ineffective, implying they don't address systemic issues. It creates a false dilemma where reforms are either foundational overhauls or completely useless, ignoring incremental progress or specific, impactful changes. A neutral framing would acknowledge the intent and varying degrees of success of different reforms, rather than painting them all with one brush.
Original quote: “But reforms do nothing to actually shake the foundations of policing. They can’t change the systems in which policing was created. Most reforms only act as a band-aid to appease public outcry, and are easily reversed once attention has waned.”
Claiming police departments aren't adopting familial DNA tech, relying on civilians instead. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 38:30
They're saying departments aren't doing it, but it's more nuanced than that. It's not a simple 'yes' or 'no' adoption.
Why this score: The speaker frames this as police departments outright refusing to adopt familial DNA technology, implying a lack of effort or competence. However, the reality is more complex. While civilian genealogists have been crucial, many police departments and federal agencies *do* utilize forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) and have dedicated units or partnerships for it. The framing omits the significant legal, ethical, and resource challenges that come with implementing such advanced techniques, which can slow adoption even for willing departments. It's not necessarily a 'not at all what has happened'…
Original quote: “But that’s not at all what has happened. Most of the people helping law enforcement solve these cases are civilians. People with free time on their hands and the desire to help. That is wild. That we’re relying on people with free time to solve cases,”
Framing police training as 'for-profit' and focused on 'self-defense' and 'combat' — Loaded Language — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 40:30
Using 'for-profit' implies a negative motive, and 'self-defense' and 'combat' are framed to sound aggressive rather than protective. — It's all about word choice.
Why this score: The speaker uses emotionally charged language like 'for-profit' to suggest a problematic system, and 'self-defense' and 'combat' are presented in a way that implies aggression rather than necessary skills for dangerous situations. A neutral framing might describe it as 'private training systems' focusing on 'officer safety and tactical skills.' The choice of words here is clearly designed to elicit a specific negative reaction.
Original quote: “Cop education today mostly uses a for-profit training system that mainly teaches self-dense,”
Equating ICE raid in 2025 Chicago to police actions for landlords. — False Equivalence (20/100)
At 42:30
Comparing an ICE raid for immigration enforcement to a police drug raid, then linking both to landlord interests, is a stretch. — It's a very specific connection they're making.
Why this score: The speaker draws a 'striking resemblance' between the Breonna Taylor case (a police drug raid with alleged real estate motives) and an ICE raid in Chicago in 2025, claiming both were driven by landlords. While the ICE raid might have involved a slumlord and tenant harassment, directly equating it to the Breonna Taylor case as evidence of police/ICE universally serving landlord interests is a false equivalence. The primary mandates and circumstances of police drug raids and ICE immigration raids are distinct, even if there can be overlapping allegations of abuse or ulterior motives. The…
Original quote: “This bears a striking resemblance to the actions of ICE during a raid in Chicago in 2025. ICE raided a residence run by a slumlord. “What I believe the landlord wanted to happen through the ICE situation is, they wanted to try to clean up the mess that they started.” “No elevator. No heat.…”
Framing policing as a symptom, not a solution, using a 'false dilemma' between funding police vs. poverty. — False Dilemma (20/100)
At 44:30
Presents a stark choice: fund police OR solve poverty, as if they're mutually exclusive and police have no role in public safety.
Why this score: This is a classic false dilemma. It frames the issue as if society must choose between funding police or addressing root causes like poverty, ignoring that both can be (and often are) pursued simultaneously. It simplifies a complex societal problem into an either/or choice to push a specific narrative. A neutral framing would acknowledge the multi-faceted nature of crime and public safety, including both law enforcement and social programs.
Original quote: “And that’s true. It was never meant to solve any of these problems. Policing doesn’t “solve” societal problems. For instance, we know poverty increases crime rates, but instead of giving people funding so they can be lifted out of poverty, we instead fund the guys who arrest them over and over and…”
Framing the justice system as profit-driven, not safety-focused, using '13TH' as evidence. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 46:30
The claim that the justice system is 'constructed to turn a profit' is a strong, loaded statement — it implies intent over outcome.
Why this score: This uses loaded language to frame the entire justice system's purpose. While elements of the system do profit, saying it's *constructed* for profit is a specific framing choice. It's not just an observation; it's an assertion about foundational intent. A more neutral framing might acknowledge profit motives exist within the system without declaring it the primary construction goal.
Original quote: “As we have laid out, the justice system is not necessarily constructed to keep everyday people safe. But it IS constructed to turn a profit. Just like THE THIN BLUE LINE made waves back in the 80s, Ava DuVernay’s 13TH illustrates how the prison system profits off of predominantly low level…”
Framing the drug war's cost with specific, heavy impacts. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 48:30
Uses emotionally charged words like 'wasted,' 'bloodshed,' and 'destroyed' to emphasize negative consequences. — This isn't just reporting facts; it's painting a picture.
Why this score: The speaker uses strong, evocative language ('billions of dollars wasted,' 'bloodshed,' 'millions of lives destroyed by draconian punishment') to frame the drug war as an unmitigated disaster. While the underlying facts about cost and impact might be true, the word choice is designed to elicit a specific emotional response and reinforce a negative view of the drug war's effects. A neutral framing would state the costs and impacts without such loaded adjectives.
Original quote: “reason or another. Meanwhile, the growing cost of the drug war is now impossible to ignore: billions of dollars wasted, bloodshed in Latin America and on the streets of our own cities, and millions of lives destroyed by draconian punishment that doesn’t end at the prison gate; one of every eight…”
A rapid-fire montage of extreme police misconduct and corruption claims. — Volume Game (20/100)
At 50:30
Piles up multiple, severe allegations without context or verification — it's a 'volume game' to overwhelm the viewer.
Why this score: This segment is a rapid-fire montage of sensational claims about police corruption, sexual misconduct, threats, and evidence tampering. The sheer volume and severity of the allegations, presented back-to-back without any specific case details, dates, or outcomes, creates an overwhelming impression of widespread, extreme police misconduct. This 'volume game' framing is designed to shock and convince the viewer through sheer accumulation rather than detailed, verifiable evidence for each claim. A more neutral framing would present each case individually with its specific context and verified…
Original quote: ““The corruption within the LAPD involved police officers having s–x, on duty, with prostitutes. Having s–x with explorer scouts.” “Today we’re talking about the algorithms used by cops to violate your privacy and terrorize innocent people.” “The deputy then told her that he was going to r–p her and…”
Framing police settlements as a systemic issue funded by taxpayers, not departments. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 52:30
Highlighting local government funding for settlements, implying a lack of direct departmental accountability. — The 'not even their own departments!' bit really drives home the outrage.
Why this score: The speaker uses loaded language to emphasize that police misconduct settlements are paid by local government funds, not the police departments themselves. This framing highlights a perceived lack of direct financial accountability for departments, steering the audience towards a specific interpretation of systemic issues. While the fact that local governments often pay these settlements is true, the framing implies a deliberate evasion of responsibility rather than a standard legal/budgetary practice. A neutral framing would simply state who pays without the added emotional emphasis.
Original quote: “from being held accountable, even when they do really really bad things. And if they do get caught, police misconduct suits are often settled out of court, often using money from the local government – not even their own departments! – to pay off harm that they’ve already caused. Police don’t keep…”
The Dahmer documentary narration absolves police, framing Dahmer with 'supernatural ability' — classic Missing Context. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 54:30
The original narration frames Dahmer as uniquely 'slippery' to avoid police accountability. — It conveniently ignores other factors.
Why this score: This is a prime example of Missing Context. The original documentary's narration, by attributing Dahmer's evasion solely to his 'slipperiness' and 'supernatural ability,' omits crucial context like potential police biases (e.g., racial bias, homophobia, or simple incompetence) that might have contributed to their failure to investigate properly. A neutral framing would acknowledge the police's actions (or inactions) and the systemic issues that might have influenced them, rather than solely focusing on the perpetrator's perceived cunning. Commenters also point out the racial aspect, which is…
Original quote: “Just to reiterate how most true crime used to describe interactions with the police, listen to this clip from a documentary about Jeffrey Dahmer from the 1990s, describing that same run-in. “As he had with police in Bath, Ohio after his first killing, Dahmer smoothly lied. The police believed the…”
Claiming police commit one-third of stranger homicides, excluded from stats. — Anonymous Authority (20/100)
At 56:30
Drops a shocking statistic without any source — 'one third of all stranger homicides' is a huge claim that needs receipts.
Why this score: This is a prime example of 'Anonymous Authority' combined with 'Missing Context.' The speaker quotes a statistic – 'Police themselves commit one third of all stranger homicides in the US' – but provides no source for this extraordinary claim. It's presented as a direct quote, but from whom? Where does this data come from? Without attribution, it's impossible to verify. A neutral framing would cite the specific study, report, or organization that published this figure, allowing the viewer to assess its credibility and methodology. The claim that 'these figures are generally excluded from…
Original quote: ““Police themselves commit one third of all stranger homicides in the US but these figures are generally excluded from reported crime rates.””
Equating over-policing and corporate pollution as 'violence' — a false equivalence to broaden the definition. — False Equivalence (20/100)
At 58:30
Calling over-policing and corporate dumping both 'violence' is a rhetorical move to lump very different types of harm together. It broadens the definition of violence to make a point, but it's not a direct comparison.
Why this score: The speaker frames 'over-policing poor people' and 'a large corporation can dump barrels of DDT' as both being 'violence.' While both actions can cause harm and have negative societal impacts, equating them directly as the same type of 'violence' is a false equivalence. The term 'violence' typically refers to physical force or aggression. By expanding its definition to include systemic issues like corporate pollution and disproportionate policing, the speaker is using loaded language to evoke a strong emotional response and draw a connection that might not hold up under a more precise…
Original quote: “We’re supposed to believe that the police’s job is to stop or even “prevent” violence.
[59:48] But THIS is violence.
[59:50] It is violent to over-police poor people while a large corporation can dump barrels of DDT off
[59:57] the coast of California, apparently. When we are zoomed in and…”
Police prioritized drug war over murder investigation — framing as a deliberate choice. — Loaded Language (45/100)
At 60:30
Framing the police's resource allocation as a 'decision to leave a family in limbo' uses emotionally charged language. — It implies malice over systemic issues.
Why this score: The speaker uses loaded language ('decision to leave a family in limbo') to characterize the police's choice to focus on the drug war. While resource allocation is a choice, framing it this way emphasizes the negative outcome for the family, implying a callous disregard rather than a strategic (though potentially flawed) prioritization of resources. A neutral framing would simply state the police shifted focus due to the drug war, without the emotional overlay.
Original quote: “In Sherri’s case that we mentioned earlier, the reason the police gave as to why they stopped investigating her murder was because they were focused on the drug war in LA. That was a decision”
Framing informant protection as a one-sided legal issue, highlighting lack of support for informants. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 62:30
They're framing informant protection as a systemic failure, but it's a complex issue with valid reasons for limited legal protections.
Why this score: The speaker highlights the lack of legal protections and resources for informants, framing it as an imbalance where only law enforcement is protected. While it's true informants face risks, the framing omits the inherent dangers and ethical complexities of informant work, where extensive legal protections could compromise investigations or create moral hazards. A more neutral framing would acknowledge the trade-offs involved in balancing informant safety with operational security and the justice system's integrity. It's not just 'one side of the equation' being protected, but a system…
Original quote: “was “based off of an informant” and never need to provide proof or explanation. It’s framed as a way to protect informants, but that is also admitting that those informants – when they are real – are people in need of protection. There are extremely few laws to protect informants. They don’t…”
Connecting current police misconduct to a historical case to highlight systemic issues — using historical context. — No Frame (75/100)
At 64:30
Drawing parallels between the Karen Read trial and the 1989 Carol Stuart murder case to show a pattern of police misconduct. — This is a solid use of historical context to support a broader argument.
Why this score: The speaker is using the 'Murder in Boston' docuseries, which details the 1989 Carol Stuart murder, as a historical example to contextualize the police misconduct seen in the Karen Read trial. By highlighting how police botched the Stuart investigation, ignored evidence, and engaged in racist profiling, the speaker is framing the current events not as isolated incidents but as part of a systemic issue. This is a legitimate way to build an argument by showing historical precedent for alleged patterns of behavior. It's not cherry-picking because the point is about systemic issues, not just…
Original quote: “your figures of speech include the following: ‘She’s a b–ch.’”
Prosecution: “Objection.”
Judge: “I’ll allow it.”
Defense: “Is that right?”
Trooper Proctor: “Yes.”
Defense: “‘A wack job.’ Correct?”
Trooper Proctor: “Yes.”
Defense: “‘She’s f–ed,’ according to you. Right?”
Trooper Proctor:…”
Framing individual safety tips as distracting from systemic issues – a classic 'False Dilemma'. — False Dilemma (20/100)
At 66:30
Presents individual safety and systemic change as mutually exclusive, when both can be important. It's not either/or.
Why this score: The speaker frames the advice for individual safety (like holding keys or not pulling over for police) as a distraction that 'lets the broken system continue to fail us.' This creates a false dilemma, implying that focusing on personal safety prevents addressing systemic flaws. In reality, both can be pursued simultaneously; one doesn't negate the other. It's a rhetorical move to shift focus entirely to the systemic critique.
Original quote: “White women, as a demographic, are also the biggest consumers of True Crime. There is true crime content that places the burden on the listener to keep themselves safe: how to hold your keys at night as you’re walking to your car; buy an expensive security system; tell friends where you will be…”
Claiming 'enough data and knowledge' proves policing is structurally flawed and designed to harm — strong assertion without specifics. — Confidence Mismatch (20/100)
At 68:30
Says 'enough data and knowledge' proves a structural issue, but provides zero examples or sources. — Then pivots to a sweeping claim that the system was 'designed to do more harm than good' without any historical context.
Why this score: The speaker makes a very strong claim about 'enough data and knowledge' proving a 'structural issue' and even that policing was 'designed to do more harm than good.' This is a classic 'confidence mismatch' because they state it as an undeniable fact without presenting any of the 'data and knowledge' they claim exists. A fair framing would cite specific studies, reports, or historical evidence to back such a significant assertion. Without it, it sounds like an opinion presented as an established truth.
Original quote: “It is not one bad apple making the entire policing system ineffective. We have enough data and knowledge to see that it is indeed a structural issue within the policing system that has created so much secondary tragedy. The first one being the crime, but the second one being the officers who…”
Claiming communities, not investigators, always solve crimes. — False Dilemma (20/100)
At 70:30
This is a false dilemma, presenting it as an 'either/or' when it's clearly a collaborative effort.
Why this score: This is a clear 'false dilemma' framing. The speaker presents a binary choice – either communities solve crimes OR investigators solve crimes – when in reality, crime solving is almost always a collaborative effort involving both. Communities provide crucial information, but investigators use that information, along with forensic science, interviews, and legal processes, to formally solve crimes and bring cases to court. Framing it as 'always' one and 'not' the other oversimplifies a complex process and dismisses the role of law enforcement entirely.
Original quote: “And that’s because it is always the communities who solves crimes, not the investigators.”
Framing communities as the sole crime solvers, downplaying police role. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 72:30
Emphasizes community contributions while minimizing the investigative work police do.
Why this score: This framing highlights the crucial role of communities in providing information, which is true. However, it omits the extensive investigative work, forensic analysis, and legal processes that police and other agencies undertake to actually 'solve' a crime and bring it to prosecution. It's not an either/or situation; both play vital roles. A neutral framing would acknowledge the collaborative nature of crime solving.
Original quote: “because it is always the communities who solves crimes, not the investigators. It’s the people who call in with tips. It’s the neighbor who noticed something odd across the street. It’s the kids who find something while playing in the forest. It’s the co-workers who are worried because they…”
A brief, almost throwaway comment that hints at a larger, unstated narrative. — Missing Context (45/100)
At 76:30
Just 'Free Martha' out of nowhere? It's a quick reference that assumes you know the backstory, which most viewers probably don't.
Why this score: This is a classic example of missing context. The speaker drops a phrase like 'Free Martha' without any explanation, implying a shared understanding or an inside joke. For those not in the know, it leaves a gap, making it hard to grasp the full implication or the specific 'Martha' being referenced. It's a quick nod to a larger, unstated narrative, which can be a subtle way to signal alignment with a particular viewpoint without explicitly stating it.
Original quote: “Free Martha.”
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