Modern media and true crime frequently focus on the "empty" or "haunting" gaze of serial killers, using it to highlight their inhumanity or detachment from social norms. The Subjectivity of the Gaze

The fascination with the killer’s gaze has a long history, blending forensic science with popular perception.

In criminal true-crime documentaries, court testimony, and psychological thrillers, the term "dead eyes" is frequently used to describe a specific type of gaze observed in murderers, particularly those with psychopathic tendencies. This phrase often refers to a cold, flat, or emotionless stare, commonly interpreted as a physical manifestation of a lack of empathy. While subjective, this phenomenon has roots in both historical criminology and modern psychological research into the eyes' capacity to signal psychological states. The Phenomenon of the "Dead Eyes"

A "dead" or "predatory" stare is often associated with individuals who score high on the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R), particularly in areas concerning shallow affect and lack of remorse.