Interested in some Killer Stories?

David Wilson, considered by many as ‘Britain’s leading criminologist‘ is also arguably one of the most controversial. I have to admit I’m not always a fan of academics spouting theory however; Wilson is an exception to my rule despite his “celebrity academic” status inferred by The Guardian.

Wilson has apparently twice topped a Times Higher poll of the most quoted criminologists in the country. It is therefore unsurprising that David has a highly acclaimed and sought after opinion when it comes to high-profile criminals.

When Raoul Moat shot himself dead it was not through fear or cowardice. It was his final act of control. For power and control meant everything to this 37-year-old bodybuilder and former bouncer…(Read more)

Probably mostly due to my thirty years as a police officer, I’ve long had an interest in criminality and why people actually commit the crimes. Yet, judging by the unfailing popularity of novelists like Ian Rankin, James Patterson et al, there are also many with similar interest, despite never having worked within any part of the criminal justice system. It’s a reason also for the popularity of TV shows like David’s new offering.

Killers Behind Bars: The Untold Story – Professor David Wilson uses cutting-edge criminological techniques to examine the crimes committed by three of Britain’s most notorious murderers and try to link them to more unsolved cases. He begins by focusing on `Suffolk Strangler Steve Wright , who is presently serving a life sentence for the murders of five women who worked as prostitutes in Ipswich, and finds evidence suggesting he may also have claimed at least one victim in Norfolk… (Whats On TV)

Which ever way you quantify our interest in criminology, be it professional, intellectual, macabre entertainment or even unhealthy and sick, I can see that Prof. Wilson’s latest TV series (UK Ch.5 8pm tonight) is likely to be very popular… One to watch no doubt.

Note: David Wilson is Professor of Criminology and the Director of the Centre for Applied Criminology at Birmingham City University. Prior to taking up an academic appointment David was a Prison Governor. He designed and ran two units for the 12 most violent prisoners in the country, which brought him into contact for virtually every recent serial killer.