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David Wilson is Professor of Criminology at the Centre for Criminal Justice Policy and Research at the University of Central England in Birmingham. A former prison governor, he is editor of the Howard Journal and a well-known author, broadcaster and presenter for TV and radio, including for the BBC, C4 and Sky Television. He has written four earlier books for Waterside Press: The Longest Injustice: The Strange Story of Alex Alexandrowicz (with the latter) (1999), Prison(er) Education: Stories of Change and Transformation (with Ann Reuss) (2000), Images of Incarceration: Representations of Prison in Film and Television Drama (with Sean O'Sullivan) (2004), and Serial Killers: Hunting Britons and Their Victims 1960-2006 (2007). Donal MacIntyre is an investigative journalist, television presenter and director.

'This significant contribution to criminological studies offers a text where both scholar and common reader can understand the issues regarding crime reporting and society... while the term "public criminology" has recently gained popularity, it can convincingly be argued that Wilson was a public criminologist before it was in vogue': Howard Journal of Criminal Justice. 'Full of observations and insights that reward careful reading, but more than a source of reflection, it is also an attempt to inspire, incite and provoke criminologists into action': Prison Service Journal 'A provocative, readable and interesting text that straddles several areas of criminological theory and specialism, but strikes first and foremost as a stimulating read and a book which makes you think more about public criminology. What it should be and whether and how it should be undertaken. For that reason it should be one of those at the forefront of debate on academic criminology's function and purpose and I hope it enjoys a sufficient readership and acts to re-invigorate and stimulate future debates about the role and function of "public criminology"': Probation Journal 'An excellent addition for those students studying subjects with a focus on cultural criminology. An interesting and engrossing text and an excellent addition for the discipline': Paul Taylor, University of Chester 'An inspiring and intelligent read': Donal MacIntyre (from the Foreword). As featured on the BBC Radio 2 Jeremy Vine Show.

• Acknowledgements Introduction 1. - Children, the Internet and the Crime Figures 2. - Serial Killer Thrillers 3. - The Chief Constable - The Tale of a Criminal Justice Professional 4. - Celebrity Cons - Bronson, Banged Up and Bad Girls 5. - Serial Killers - Now You See Them, Now You Don't 6. - The Righteous Slaughter of Some Shootings 7. - The Offender Profiler 8. - Explaining OrdinaryA" Murder and Murder Investigations Postscript A Guide to Further Reading and Other References . Index