Biographie
Dr. Rachel Toles is a clinical and forensic psychologist specializing in extreme violence and serial homicide, with a focus on the threat pathways that precede an act of harm. She is the author of the forthcoming book Inventing the Psychopath, which examines the cultural myths and narrative contagion that shape how violence and "psychopathy" are understood and explained. Her work centers on the assessment and interpretation of high-risk behavior, including the early patterns that surface in a person’s history well before anyone is harmed. She analyzes prominent criminal cases, bringing clinical precision to questions of intent and escalation, and to how behavior changes over time.
Dr. Toles consults across film and television, advising on offender psychology and behavioral realism, on how threats escalate, and on character development. Her work supports writers, producers, and networks in building accurate portrayals of criminal behavior and investigative decision-making, along with the psychological dynamics that shape perpetrators and the victims and families affected by them. Her consulting credits include Dick Wolf Productions, HBO Max, Investigation Discovery, MGM+, Peacock, Apple TV, NBCUniversal, ABC News Nightline (Impact x Hulu), Oxygen, and Sony Pictures Television.
Dr. Toles is also a recurring media commentator on violent crime and offender behavior, often weighing in on the cases drawing national attention. Her expertise has been featured across television, streaming, and print media, including Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, CNN, and Newsweek.
As a speaker, Dr. Toles presents nationally and internationally on the psychology of homicide and the pathways to violence, including the warning behaviors that often appear years before an act becomes public. She is known for translating complex behavioral science into clear, usable frameworks for professionals and general audiences alike, with an emphasis on prevention and early intervention, and on understanding the full chain of contributing factors behind a violent outcome. Her research interests lie at the intersection of psychology, media representation, and public perception, with a focus on how cultural narratives shape how society defines danger, evil, and criminal minds.
