About Emeritus Professor David Wilson
Emeritus Professor David Wilson is widely regarded as the UK’s leading criminologist and one of the foremost experts on serial homicide. A former prison governor, he has spent much of his career working with and studying some of Britain’s most notorious and violent offenders, bringing unparalleled insight into the minds of murderers and the society that shapes them.
Now Emeritus Professor of Criminology at Birmingham City University, David has written extensively on criminal behaviour, violence, and justice. His bestselling books include A History of British Serial Killing, Signs of Murder, and My Life with Murderers, each combining academic rigour with powerful storytelling to make complex issues accessible and compelling.
Beyond academia, David is a regular presence on television, radio and podcasts. He has presented a wide range of critically acclaimed true crime documentaries and series for the BBC, Channel 4, and Sky, including Interview with a Murderer, The Yorkshire Ripper Files, and Crime Files with David Wilson for BBC Scotland. He is a regular contributor to ITV’s This Morning. His calm authority, clarity of thought, and deep compassion have made him one of the most trusted and distinctive voices in contemporary criminology and true crime.
At the heart of David’s work is a commitment to understanding crime not in isolation, but in its wider social and historical context. Whether writing, broadcasting, or speaking live on stage, he continually challenges audiences to think more deeply about justice, violence, and the enduring human stories behind the headlines.