PHOENIX - Steven Pitt knows more about criminals and the criminal mind than most. The forensic psychiatrist has worked on the JonBenet Ramsey case and the Columbine massacre. An expert in interviewing techniques, he has worked with police departments all across the country.
This December will mark 20 years since the body of JonBenet Ramsey was discovered in her home. The little girl was strangled to death and left in the basement. Steven Pitt was contacted to assist in the investigation about a year after the murder.
“The initial call the initial request was really more about ‘How do we best get to know about these people?’” said Pitt.
The goal of any investigator is to better understand the victim and the people close to them.
“Understanding the dynamic between John and Patsy Ramsey and them and the victim (JonBenet),” said Pitt.
According to Pitt, there is no road map as to what to ask suspects or people connected to the case. The goal is to simply learn as much as you can about the people involved.
Buckeye police are currently dealing with a missing person case.
Jesse Wilson has been missing since July when he was last seen inside his home. His mother called 911 and told the operator he either crawled out his window or went out the back door.
Police have interviewed Crystal Wilson and several others but do not consider anyone a suspect. Those interviews and the information learned could prove to be critical as the investigation continues.
“It’s all about the dynamic between the child and the parent,” said Pitt.
As for the Ramsey murder case, Pitt still doesn’t believe an intruder came into the home, killed JonBenet, took the time to write a 2-page ransom letter, find and give some pineapple to JonBenet before killing her and escaping without anyone knowing.
Pitt has looked at hours of taped interviews with Patsy Ramsey and police.
“This was a woman who had a lot of game,” Pitt said. “This was a woman who, as the detective was really getting in her face about what her role may or may not have been, she leans in and tells him you got the wrong person.”
Now a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Arizona Medical School, Pitt has trained hundreds of investigators and conducted dozens of his own. Patsy Ramsey still remains one of the toughest subjects he has come across.
“She was far more sophisticated than your typical suspect police deal with,” said Pitt.