My Career: A life of crime
Getting inside the heads of serial killers and notorious criminals is all part of a day’s work for renowned criminologist, David Wilson
FANS of serial-killer flicks such as Silence of the Lambs could easily be forgiven for assuming criminology involves the hunting down of murderers in a sexy, glamorous and highly dramatic manner. In reality, however, characters such as FBI agent and amateur criminologist Clarice Starling are simply created to stimulate entertainment and exaggerate the truth, says David Wilson, professor of criminology and co-author of Hunting Evil: Inside the Ipswich Serial Murders. He has also been labelled Britain’s No 1 expert on serial killers by a UK tabloid.
He defines the criminologist as “someone with a practical and theoretical interest in offending and offenders as well as the processes he or she can employ to overcome them — either through the criminal justice system or public policy”.
Wilson’s fascination with criminology began in 1983 when he was a 23-year-old PhD student researching the philosophical origins of the American Civil War at Cambridge University. “I was interested in political philosophy and how crime was labelled. At the time, the prison service in England had a system to recruit assistant governors, so the week after I completed my studies I went to work at Wormwood Scrubs Prison in London.”
By 29, Wilson was the youngest governor in the UK and stationed at a category-A unit in Woodhill Prison, Buckinghamshire. “I was managing a unit that held 12 of the most violent criminals in the country, from hostage takers to people who engaged in rooftop riots to repeat offenders. I also came into contact with a large number of serial killers.”
So, was he scared or even slightly unnerved by his close encounters with the most evil elements of society? “No, I was never scared of serial killers because, by and large, I had the power and understood the types of people I was dealing with. I could also take sensible precautions to avoid being attacked.”
In 1997, Wilson became a professor of criminology at the Centre for Criminal Justice, Policy and Research in Birmingham University, where he continues to lecture. He also assists the criminal justice system (both nationally and internationally) by profiling serial killers who are wanted for committing horrific murders.
One of his most recent profiling investigations led to the capture and conviction of Steve Wright, the man responsible for murdering five women in Ipswich, UK in 2006. Having arrived at the scene as the first body was uncovered, Wilson’s analysis put forward the theory that a serial killer was at large. He is currently helping the Canadian Government with a suspected serial case there.
Wilson says part of his role involves using a set of principles to determine the type of character involved in disposing of victims at specific locations. This includes evaluating why a body is hidden or left in the open; whether there is DNA, semen, blood or fingerprint evidence; and whether there are clues that will identify the killer or connect him with other unsolved cases.
“What unites serial killers is the nature of their victims,” he explains. “They only kill people within five distinct groups — elderly women are the most common, followed by homosexual men, babies, toddlers and runaways. If you analyse who is being victimised by serial killers, it takes you far further into an understanding of them. You can then think about what should be done to eradicate murder by protecting these vulnerable groups.”
Wilson believes it is essential for anyone considering a career in criminology to have an insightful mind, one that is capable of seeing patterns that others may not see. He also says it’s important to receive regular psychiatric therapy, which is offered as part of his role. “Most criminologists will require help if they deal consistently with these issues as part of their work. You have to be psychologically robust; it’s no good breaking down in tears at distressing scenes. If it’s overwhelming, you can’t remain logical enough to do the job.”
Wilson says subjects such as history have stood him in good stead. “History is often about discerning patterns and seeing connections. At a crime scene, I try to make that leap instead of ticking the same boxes others deem important.”
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