Dark Tourism: Visiting Crime Scenes
"Dark tourism," the act of visiting sites associated with horrific crimes, has become a phenomenon, attracting individuals interested in the macabre aspects of such locations.
Notable Examples & Historical Context
In Leongatha, Australia, the former residence of Erin Patterson, implicated in a fatal poisoning case, has drawn visitors. Plastic sheets were installed by Patterson's associates to obstruct views of the property.
Dr. Philip Stone, executive director of the Institute for Dark Tourism Research, indicates that dark tourism is not a recent development. Historical examples include 19th-century slum tourism in London and individuals paying to view Annie Chapman's body after a Jack the Ripper murder in 1888.
Media exposure is identified as a significant factor driving this interest.
Australian Case Studies
Several sites across Australia illustrate the phenomenon of dark tourism:
- Morwell (Erin Patterson Trial): The town of Morwell experienced an increase in economic activity during Patterson's trial due to the presence of media and other visitors.
- Snowtown, South Australia: The former bank building where the remains of eight murder victims were discovered in 1999 became a site for dark tourism, inspiring a film and leading to local businesses selling themed souvenirs.
- Salisbury North (John Bunting's Home): The home of serial killer John Bunting, where some victims were buried, has reportedly been demolished.
- Port Arthur, Tasmania: This site, where a mass shooting occurred in 1996, is visited by tourists. Tours primarily focus on its historical penal colony heritage, with limited discussion of the massacre and an avoidance of naming the perpetrator.
- Belanglo State Forest, NSW: Goulburn Ghost Tours offered tours of the forest where serial killer Ivan Milat buried his victims. Following criticism, the company clarified its approach, emphasizing paranormal investigation rather than reenactment.
Memorialization and Controversy
US geographer Kenneth E. Foote proposed categories for the memorialization of tragedy: sanctification, designation, rectification, and obliteration.
An example of "obliteration" occurred in the UK, where Gloucestershire County Council opted for this approach for the Cromwell Street home of serial killers Fred and Rosemary West, where victims were buried. The house was demolished, and its bricks were pulverized to prevent the creation of morbid souvenirs.
Dr. Stone has questioned this decision, arguing for the importance of retaining such sites for criminological, victimhood, and social rights studies.
Dr. Stone further notes challenges in educating the public about historical dark events.
"Education of the dark past is being contested, manipulated."
This contestation can lead to the proliferation of conspiracy theories, such as those disputing the sole responsibility of the Port Arthur gunman.