Dave Walsh

Dave Walsh is a Professor in Criminal Investigation at De Montfort University (DMU), affiliated with the Leicester De Montfort Law School within the Faculty of Business and Law. He specializes in investigative interviewing of victims, witnesses, and suspects, with a strong focus on ethical, non-coercive, and rapport-based methods. He is a leading figure in the global implementation of the Mendez Principles and chairs a major international COST Action (CA22128 – ImpleMendez) involving over 300 researchers from 56 countries.

His research interests include:

• Investigative interviewing techniques (especially PEACE model)
• Modern slavery and human trafficking
• Corporate compliance with anti-slavery legislation
• Policing of organized crime
• Interviewing vulnerable populations (children, autistic adults, trafficking victims)
• Interpreter-assisted investigations

Walsh's recent publications span topics such as labor exploitation post-Brexit, empathy in investigative interviews, and international collaboration in human trafficking cases. His work consistently emphasizes ethical, evidence-based, and human rights-compliant approaches to criminal investigation. He has published extensively in top journals and edited key international handbooks on investigative interviewing.

His scientific honors include being named Global Professor in Criminology by Leuven (2020–2023). He has led and contributed to numerous externally funded research projects, including grants from the ESRC, Home Office, and HEIF, with a recent €800,000 COST grant as Principal Investigator. He actively supervises PhD students and collaborates with police forces and academic institutions worldwide. He has delivered keynote addresses across Europe on the implementation of the Mendez Principles and modern slavery responses.

He is a founding member of the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group (IIIRG) and leads a research team focused on improving investigative practices globally. His work bridges academia, policy, and frontline policing, with a strong commitment to translating research into real-world impact.