For over six years, Dr Keatley has taught at several universities around the world including the University of Nottingham, Edge Hill University, Open University, University of Lincoln, Curtin University and now Murdoch. He specialises in forensic psychology and criminology, where he has conducted leading research and worked on dozens of real criminal cases.

“I love teaching, especially taking what I’ve learnt from working real-world cases with police...I also love involving students in my work and research.”

Dr Keatley presenting at his cold case investigation seminar

Leading research recognised around the world

Dr Keatley has done significant research into behavioural analysis in atypical homicide. Specifically, this relates to serial killers and mass and spree killings, as well as familicides and school shootings. He has also been involved in research around terrorism.

"For the last four years, I have specialised in cold case investigation, which I consult on with police around the world… I helped develop a new method for understanding behaviour called 'Behaviour Sequence Analysis', and more recently I developed forecasting and sequencing methods to assist with cold case investigations."

The outcome of his research has been presented to police and government agencies, including the FBI. Even when working with professionals, he finds himself battling against stereotypes and myths perpetrated by television.

"I work regularly with police and help shift their expectation of what a behavioural scientist is and what they do. Rather than television representations of criminal profilers, I show them the scientific new methods that my team and I have developed."

International criminology expertise comes to Murdoch

Now teaching and researching at Murdoch University, Dr Keatley’s students are benefiting from the years of knowledge he gathered on the field. 

Alongside fellow senior lecturer, Brendan Chapman, Dr Keatley co-captains a forensics and criminology group called the 'Cold Case Review'. The group is made up of students and staff who work on real-world cold cases and receive regular requests from investigators for their expert consultation.

"It’s a very unique group given the combined expertise, and we are sought out by individuals and investigators around the world to assist."

Murdoch is one of the only universities in the world to do this, and the only university in the world that has the combined, applied expertise that Brendan and myself bring to the table.

David’s top tips for criminology students

For future criminology students, David has the following advice:

1. Study hard. It’s not enough to just have a degree anymore, work hard for it.
2. Use the resources available. Murdoch has amazing support networks and clubs, use them to get ahead.
3. Make yourself known. Do not be a face in the crowd. Get to know your lecturers and their work, get involved.
4. Plan. Too many students try to ignore the future until their final year, try and get a head start, the earlier the better!
5. Enjoy it. It truly is the best time of your life if you make it so.