FBI cop who inspired Silence of the Lambs hates portrayal

The real life detective who inspired FBI agent Jack Crawford in the classic crime drama Silence of the Lambs, says he hates the Hollywood portrayal of cops.

An FBI agent for 24 years, John E. Douglas’ career was the basis for numerous silver screen characters, including in the Oscar-winning thriller starring Anthony Hopkins.

But the former agent, who gives lectures at the FBI academy on psychopaths, hit out at the gun-wielding, criminal chasing stereotype that Hollywood pushes. 

The real life detective, John E. Douglas, whose career inspired the creation of FBI agent Jack Crawford (pictured) in the classic crime drama Silence of the Lambs, says he hates the unrealistic Hollywood portrayal of cops

The real life detective, John E. Douglas (pictured left), whose career inspired the creation of FBI agent Jack Crawford (right) in the classic crime drama Silence of the Lambs, says he hates the unrealistic Hollywood portrayal of cops

‘They don’t put across accurate portrayals, and [that] aggravates me,’ he told The New York Post. 

‘I can’t look at those movies. You see FBI agents pulling out guns and knocking down doors and taking over investigations,’ he added, explaining that these events are unrealistic. 

‘If you’re a cop and I work with you on a case, I help to develop a more proactive technique.’

An FBI agent for 24 years, John E. Douglas' career was the basis for numerous silver screen characters, including in the Oscar winning thriller starring Anthony Hopkins, pictured in the Silence of the Lambs

An FBI agent for 24 years, John E. Douglas’ career was the basis for numerous silver screen characters, including in the Oscar winning thriller starring Anthony Hopkins, pictured in the Silence of the Lambs

Douglas’ work provided the inspiration for author Thomas Harris who wrote the novels The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon.

Harris even sat in Douglas’ criminal psychology classes when researching the infamous character Hannibal Lecter, which won Anthony Hopkins an Oscar. 

During the detective’s 24 year career in the FBI, Douglas interviewed hundreds of murderers, rapists and kidnappers – pioneering the technique of studying psychopaths imprisoned to help capture others.

Now 72-year-old Douglas is promoting a new Netflix series Mindhunter, based on his 1995 joint memoir, which shows detectives using his playbook in order to catch criminals.   

‘They’re going by the book and I am very pleased,’ said Douglas. Watching the series ‘is like reliving my life all over again,’ he added.

Describing his techniques when interviewing psychopaths who have committed heinous crimes, he said he used to slouch low in his chair, making them feel they had the upper hand.

During the detective's 24 year career in the FBI, Douglas interviewed hundreds of murderers, rapists and kidnappers - pioneering the technique of studying psychopaths imprisoned to help capture others

During the detective’s 24 year career in the FBI, Douglas interviewed hundreds of murderers, rapists and kidnappers – pioneering the technique of studying psychopaths imprisoned to help capture others

He always had their handcuffs removed, to seemingly readdress the balance of power and develop trust. 

The detective played the beta male when facing some of America’s most notorious inmates including Charles Manson, nurse-killer Richard Speck and David ‘Son of Sam’ Berkowitz – who had between them murdered at least 21 people.

He even locked minds with with Ed Kemper, a 6ft 9, 300lb serial killer who had an IQ of 140 and enjoyed killing hitchhikers around California, in the early Seventies.

Douglas said after studying the various psychopaths that they are all linked by mother issues, explaining that he’d never met one not from a dysfunctional home. 

He added that bed-wetting, animal cruelty and fire-setting is the triangle that the killers seemed to always have in common.

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