Violent Criminals Admitted The First Thing They Notice Before Choosing A Victim

A forensics student sparked a huge conversation online after sharing a chilling detail about how some predators reportedly choose their victims. In a TikTok video that quickly spread across the platform, Alex broke down the subtle body language cues violent offenders admitted they look for when identifying potential targets. The information came from interviews with convicted criminals and focused on something most people rarely think about: the way they walk down the street. For many viewers, the idea that everyday movement could influence how someone is perceived was both surprising and unsettling.

The video struck a nerve because it highlighted behaviors many people display without realizing it. Walking with your head down, taking smaller steps, appearing distracted, or moving awkwardly may seem harmless, but Alex explained that offenders often interpret these actions in very specific ways. Her explanation centered on two different walking styles that repeatedly stood out when violent criminals were asked which women they would be most likely to victimize, and the answers revealed a pattern that has continued to attract attention years after the original findings emerged.

The First Type Of Woman Criminals Frequently Selected

One group of women shared several physical traits when they walked in public. Alex explained that the offenders repeatedly focused on women whose movements appeared restricted or hesitant. These individuals often took shorter steps, moved at a slower pace, and kept their arms close to their bodies while walking through public spaces.

“The selected women all had a similar ‘awkwardness’ to the way that they walked and carried themselves,” Alex said. “The first part of the woman had a gait that was a little bit too small for their body, which resulted in smaller steps, slower speed and their arms more typically to their sides, or crossed, as well as their heads being down and not really taking in their general surroundings, which indicated three different things to these potential attackers.”

The offenders interpreted these signals as signs that the person was anxious, fearful, or distracted. A lowered head also suggested that the individual was not paying close attention to what was happening around them. In the minds of the predators being interviewed, that combination made someone easier to approach without being noticed.

What makes the finding so unsettling is how common these behaviors are. Many people walk this way when they are tired, stressed, checking their surroundings less carefully, or simply lost in thought. Yet the offenders consistently pointed to these movements when describing who they believed would be easier to target.

The Second Walking Style That Also Attracted Attention

The criminals did not only focus on people who appeared cautious or withdrawn. Another group of women was selected for almost the opposite reason. Rather than moving with smaller steps, these women tended to walk with exaggerated movements that appeared awkward and uncoordinated.

“On the other hand, the other part of the women that were selected had a gait that seemed a bit too big for their body and their arms tended to flail to the sides and seemed just overly awkward,” Alex continued.

Instead of reading this body language as confidence, offenders reportedly viewed it as a sign that the individual might be clumsy. They believed such a person would struggle to react quickly if confronted unexpectedly or would be less capable of resisting physically.

“Because their arms were out and flailing to the side, it left the lower body open to, again, come around and grab them,” she said. While the reasoning is disturbing, it offered a rare glimpse into how some predators assess potential victims before making a move.

The Women Who Were Rarely Chosen

While the video focused heavily on the characteristics offenders looked for, Alex also revealed what separated the women who were generally ignored. The individuals who were least likely to be selected shared a noticeably different presence when moving through public spaces.

These women walked with a stride that matched their natural body movement. They were neither taking unusually short steps nor exaggerating their gait. Their pace generally matched the flow of people around them, making their movement appear relaxed and controlled.

Their posture also played a major role. They typically kept their shoulders back, held their heads up, and appeared aware of their surroundings. Rather than looking tense or distracted, they projected confidence through the way they carried themselves.

“Essentially, the women that were not selected gave off an energy that said, ‘Don’t mess with me. I will put up a good fight.’ And that’s why they weren’t selected,” Alex said.

The Simple Safety Acronym Alex Shared

After explaining the findings, Alex offered a practical way for people to remember the key habits she discussed. She used the acronym STAAR, which focuses on five simple behaviors that can help someone appear more confident and aware while in public.

The acronym includes:

• Stride: Walk with a natural stride that feels comfortable for your body.
• Tall: Keep your shoulders back and your chin up.
• Arms: Let your arms swing naturally by your sides.
• Awareness: Pay attention to what is happening around you.
• Relax: Stay calm and avoid appearing panicked or fearful.

The advice resonated with many viewers because it did not require special training, equipment, or dramatic lifestyle changes. Instead, it focused on small adjustments to everyday behavior that can influence how a person presents themselves in public.

The acronym quickly became one of the most shared parts of the video as viewers discussed which habits they already practiced and which ones they wanted to become more conscious of.

Why The Video Continues To Resurface Online

Although the original video was later deleted, clips and reposts continue circulating across social media. The reason is simple. Most people assume predators choose victims based primarily on appearance, age, or physical characteristics. The idea that walking style and body language may play such a significant role catches many people off guard.

The discussion also taps into a broader interest in personal safety and situational awareness. Social media users regularly share self-defense tips, crime prevention advice, and stories about unusual encounters in public spaces. Alex’s explanation fit directly into those conversations while offering information many people had never heard before.

For some viewers, the video changed the way they move through crowded streets, parking lots, and public transport stations. Others simply found it fascinating that something as ordinary as a person’s stride could communicate so much to the people around them.

“I know that it sounds silly, but something as simple as the way you walk or the way that you carry yourself in public could determine the likelihood that you become a target of a predator,” Alex said.

It is a message that continues to spread online years later because it forces people to look at an everyday habit through a completely different lens.

Sources:

• Book, A., Costello, K., & Camilleri, J. A. (2013). Psychopathy and victim selection. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(11), 2368–2383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260512475315
• Book, A., Costello, K., & Camilleri, J. A. (2013). Psychopathy and victim selection. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(11), 2368–2383. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260512475315