Chasing Evil: Shocking Crimes, Supernatural Forces, and an FBI Agent's Search for Hope and Justice

The use of psychics in law enforcement has long been contentious. Chasing Evil delves into this conflict through the secret partnership between FBI agent Robert Hilland and psychic medium John Edward. Historically, police agencies have maintained a deep-seated skepticism toward paranormal methods, as their work depends on verifiable facts, tangible proof, and a clear chain of custody. This means that when psychics are consulted on especially challenging or cold cases, their involvement is typically kept unofficial and out of public records, protecting the investigation’s credibility from accusations of relying on unscientific means.

This professional skepticism is mirrored in John Edward’s personal reluctance to work with law enforcement. His father, a police officer, disapproved of Edward’s work and warned him against combining psychic work with police procedure. The book recalls his father’s definitive stance: “‘Psychics are not helpful,’ said Edward Sr. ‘Real cops don’t use psychics’” (17). This belief shaped Edward’s career, leading him largely to refuse police requests for assistance. His collaboration with Hilland on the John Smith case was a rare exception, a clandestine alliance born of an agent’s desperation.

The book frames their partnership as a test case for bridging the divide between two disparate worlds—the evidence-based rigor of criminal investigation and the often-unprovable realm of psychic perception—ultimately suggesting that the two can complement one another. However, this stance is highly controversial. Although a 1993 survey revealed that 19 of 50 major police agencies had consulted with psychics, some organizations, including the FBI, have specifically stated that they do not use psychics (Rachlin, H. “Psychics and Police Work.” Law and Order, vol. 41, no. 9, Sep. 1993, pp. 84-88). Attempts to prove the utility of such collaborations have often failed to do so; for example, a 1979 study that asked 12 psychics to read evidence and provide details based on it concluded that the psychics’ responses were not accurate enough to prove helpful in investigations (Ludwig, L. M Reiser, S Saxe, and C Wagner. “Evaluation of the Use of Psychics in the Investigation of Major Crimes.” Journal of Police Science and Administration, vol. 7, no. 1, Mar. 1979, pp. 18-25). Consequently, many in law enforcement question the utility of such collaborations.