If It Bleeds, It Leads

Did you know dentists play a critical role in violent crime reduction? Dr. Peter Dean, a forensic medical examiner and former coroner, joins us as we explore the world of forensic medicine, forensic medical examiners and coroners. Dr. Dean shares his journey from dentistry to forensics and highlights the importance of remaining independent from the police when working in these roles. We also discu...

Ever wondered how criminals choose their crime locations? What does this say about the perpertrator and how does it help to catch and stop them? Join us as our guest and friend, Professor Sam Lundrigan takes us on a journey through mental mapping, criminal decision-making, and fascinating cases that demonstrate how geography can make or break an investigation. We discuss the psychological signific...

Do you ever wonder what drives someone to commit the unspeakable crime of child sexual abuse? We sat down with former marine-turned-CID officer Dr. Graham Hill as he shares his experience in interviewing predatory pedophiles. We also challenge the stereotype that only men can be perpetrators of child sexual abuse, and discuss the crucial need for research on female offenders. He explains the behav...

Can we really comprehend the complexities of female violence and the societal taboos that surround it? Join us as we explore this fascinating topic with our special guest, Anna Motz, a clinical and forensic psychologist and forensic psychotherapist. We dissect the emotional turmoil and internalized shame that can drive women to commit heinous acts, as well as the crucial role therapists play in un...

Unlock the secrets of soil forensics and its crucial role in solving serious crimes with our fascinating guest, Professor Lorna Dawson CBE, an undisputed expert in the field. This episode reveals how soil forensics has been instrumental in high-profile cases like the World's End Murders and the Moira Anderson cold case. Learn about the potential of soil to provide evidence in both outdoor and indo...

Could Agatha Christie have been happier if she never entered the public eye? Join us as we welcome our guest Laura Thompson, the author of an Agatha Christie biography and books on the Thompson Bywater's murder case and Lord Lucan. Laura shares her unique upbringing and accidental writing career, as well as the impact of Christie's work in the 21st century. We examine the fascinating life of Agath...

We sit down with independent journalist Jake Hanrahan, founder of the platform Popular Front, which focuses on reporting on war and conflicts. Jake shares his journey with Popular Front, a platform created for misfits and outcasts that has grown into the fastest-growing independent war reporting platform. We delve into the complexities of war reporting, the importance of honesty in journalism, and...

In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of crime history with Professor Julia Laite of Birkbeck University of London. We discuss her book, "The Disappearance of Lydia Harvey: A True Story of Sex, Crime, and the Meaning of Justice," and explore the captivating story of Lydia Harvey, a 16-year-old girl caught up in a sex trafficking ring in 1910. We discuss the criminalization of prostit...

Joined by our special guest, Jason Wilson, we discuss his unique family background and relationship with his father, a career criminal. We explore the complexity of his father's character, his involvement in both legitimate businesses and criminal activities, and the secret world of organized crime networks in the Midlands. We also examine the age-old question of nature versus nurture in determini...

In this episode of If It Bleeds It Leads, we dive into the fascinating and complex world of hate crimes. Joined by Professor Matt Williams, a criminologist at Cardiff University and author of The Science of Hate, we explore why hate crimes happen, the mindset of perpetrators, and the effects on victims and communities. We discuss the role of neuroscience in understanding prejudice and hate, as wel...

In this episode of "If It Bleeds It Leads," we dive deep into the world of forensic psychiatry with Dr. Sohom Das, a consultant forensic psychiatrist and expert witness. We explore his fascinating journey from growing up as an kid in a small village to discovering his passion for psychiatry during a medical school placement. We delve into the role of a forensic psychiatrist in determining offender...

In this episode of "If It Bleeds It Leads," we dive into the fascinating world of Madame Tussauds London and explore the dark history of its Chamber of Horrors. We are joined by Claire Tracy, from Madame Tussauds. She shares the story behind the chamber's origins, which can be traced back to Marie Tussaud's experience during the French Revolution and her mentor, Dr. Curtius. We delve into the impo...

What does it take to kill someone? How do you feel afterwards? Why would you go on to keep on killing? Join Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox as they explore the motivations and psychology behind some of the UK's most notorious serial killers They are joined by a convicted murderer, who explains what was happening in his life leading up to committing a murder, what happened in the hour the mur...

How can you really know you are safe? Could the next terrorist threat be around the corner? Can we rehabilitate a terrorist? Or are they dangerous for life? Join Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox as they talk to some of the worlds leading experts in terrorism. They sit down with Professor Ian Acheson, who led the landmark independant review into extremism in prisons and now works international...

We all know and love Scandinavian crime drama, but why? What is it that captivates us about Scandi Noir, why does it have such a rich heritage and what sets it apart from other crime drama genres? In this epsiode, Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox talk to Scandi Noir expert Professor Steve Hall about his theories around Ultra-Realism. Prof. Hall explains how Scandi Noir has a lot of offer us i...

Emilia and Prof. Wilson are back with more eps of IIBIL's! And in the first of these bonus eps they explore prison redemption. What is the purpose of prison? How has punishment changed and are we reducing crime or just sweeping the parts of society we don't like under the carpet? Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox talk to John Podmore, govenor of HMP Brixton and HMP Belmarsh to find his view on...

Prison riots are violent, expensive and risk the lives of fellow inmates. And they happen more often than you mighth think. Yet, despite being such a risk to life, they rarely get media coverage. So, in such a controlled enviroinment, just how do prison riots happen? And when a large group of violent men gain control, how can they be stopped? In this epsiode, Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox...

The rate of beheadings has escalated in lockdown. So has the amount of mutilations inflicted on victims, but why? In this epsiode, Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox sit down to work out what lockdown has done to crime and what we can expect to come to light as lockdown is lifted. What crimes have gone under the radar while we've all been sat in our homes, not able to see and talk to eachother?...

How real are police dramas? The insominac detective, trenchcoat in the rain, late night in a bar when he should be at home with his family. And despite his personal issues, our hero detective always gets his man. The evidence always falls into place. But how realistic is this? What is it actually like policing crime, and how far away from the truth are the well trodden fictional detectives? In thi...

Why is there a stigma around women who kill? We find the female murderer far more disturbing than the male, so why is that? Hell hath no fury...Are women who commit murder and violent offences really more dangerous than men? And why is it so taboo to think of women commiting violence? In this epsiode David and Emilia look at the fascination with women who kill. Is it because it's so rare and unusu...

Is crime increasing? Is the world less safe? Do we need more police on the streets? And who is Bible John? In this epsiode, Professor David Wilson and Emilia Fox talk about popular crime myths and the mysterious circumstances around some of the most notorious unsolved crimes. Why do we label seriel killers with nicknames? And how can we hope to solve crimes distorted by widely held beliefs of inac...

Hi, If It Bleeds It Leads listener, We’ve got another brand new podcast we think you’ll enjoy. ‘I’ve Been Thinking’ is a new weekly show hosted by Peter Frankopan. As well as being a best-selling author (Silk Roads), Professor of Global History and Oxford and voted as one of the World’s Top 50 Thinkers, Peter uses this podcast to speak with some incredible guests looking at topics from around the...

Overwhelmingly, its men that kill, men that commit violent crime and men that steal, burn and vandalise property. So why do men do it? And why are incidents of these crimes so low amung women? Could it be that men are wired to commit crime? Are men predisposed to be violent? Does being male make you want to steal? Is it in our genes? Or are men socialised to be criminals? In this in-depth look at...

In this episode, David and Emilia talk about the Hitman. What would motivate someone to accept a contract to kill for just a few hundred pounds? How do hitman get away with the crime? And what does it take to become a target? They discuss the famously unsolved murder in Nairn, Scotland, with presenter of The Doorstep Murder podcast, Fiona Walker. What really happened on the 28th November 2004. How...

In the season premiere, David and Emilia talk to the UK's most prolific bank robber, Noel 'Razor' Smith, a man who wouldn't hesitate to "put one in your foot" if you made a move. In this rare and exclusive interview, you get to hear what's it like to be in the getaway car driving to a job, the planning that goes into a bank robbery, and the grizzly reality of what you have to be prepared to do, to...