What is Jeffrey Dahmer’s “Polaroid Challenge” on TikTok?

THE release of the record-breaking Netflix show about serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer has sparked a viral TikTok trend.

TikTok users are facing backlash as Jeffrey Dahmer’s ‘Polaroid Challenge’ went viral on the app.

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What is Jeffrey Dahmer’s “Polaroid Challenge” on TikTok?

The trend started when TikTok users started posting videos of their reactions when they saw the real Polaroid pictures Dahmer took at his apartment.

The serial killer tended to photograph his victims and keep the images as gruesome souvenirs, and many people searched for the images online.

The trend is so widespread that videos tagged “Jeffrey Dahmer Polaroids” have garnered 3.4 billion views on the app.

The trend has divided opinions on TikTok, with many users participating in the challenge and others condemning those who have done so.

A TikTok user posted a video that said, “Don’t let curiosity fool you into seeing the ACTUAL polaroids of Dahmer…” and captioned it “So disturbing.”

TikTok received 1.9 million views and over 90,000 likes.

Many users in the comments agreed with the creator.

One commenter wrote: “Guys please don’t search them let the victims rest and respect their families.”

Although commentators argue that the trend is disrespectful, many TikTok users are still taking part.

TikTok has taken steps to delete some of the content under the Dahmer Polaroid Challenge tag, however, some users are reposting the deleted videos on the platform.

A true crime TikToker, @doctor.vile, had his video with the polaroids removed.

He re-released his original video but blurred the explicit images of the victims’ body parts.

This TikTok has since garnered 4.7 million views.

Why did Jeffrey Dahmer take polaroid photos of his victims?

Dahmer explained that he often photographed his victims at various stages in the killing process so he could remember and relive the experience.

“It was my way of remembering her looks, her physical beauty. I also wanted to keep … if I couldn’t keep her all with me, at least I felt like I could keep her skeleton,” he said.

“I even went as far as setting up an altar with 10 different skulls,” he added.

How Did Jeffrey Dahmer’s Polaroid Photos Help His Arrest?

The Polaroid images were an integral part of the police, who were finally able to arrest Dahmer after his murders went undetected for 13 years.

When his 18th victim managed to escape and get the police into Dahmer’s apartment, officers discovered a bedside drawer.

Inside were nearly 80 Polaroid pictures of his victims and their dismembered bodies.

The photos were also helpful in helping police identify the victims whose bodies were not found.

Dahmer’s ninth victim, David Thomas, remained a missing person as his body was never recovered.

However, it is strongly believed that Thomas was murdered by Dahmer based on photos found in the killer’s apartment.

This also applies to three other men whom Dahmer admitted to having killed, but whose bodies were never found.