True Crime Conference 2026

22/09/2025

Our next speaker announcement:

THE RILLINGTON PLACE MURDERS
PAUL STICKLER

The discovery of six bodies at Rillington Place in 1953 not only identified a catalogue of sadistic killings, but also challenged the entire criminal justice system to review the earlier hanging of Timothy Evans in 1950.

In this talk former senior detective Paul Stickler re-examines the murders at this infamous address, and reminds us of their significance and how they continue to generate debate today.

Paul will talk the audience through the shocking sequence of events, and highlight where the initial investigation could have been far more effective.

Dr Paul Stickler is a former UK senior detective who was involved in many murder investigations, both as a front-line detective and a Senior Investigating Officer. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico and holds degrees in history, social sciences and criminology. He was awarded a PhD in law for his examination of the legal basis of murder investigations during the inter-war period. Paul is a published author and a member of the Crime Writers’ Association. He regularly gives talks as a guest speaker on cruise ships around the world.

The discovery of six bodies at Rillington Place in 1953 not only identified a catalogue of sadistic killings, but also challenged the entire criminal justice system to review the earlier hanging of Timothy Evans in 1950.

08/08/2025

Popped in to the conference venue for a meeting, stayed for afternoon tea.

Absolutely delicious!

07/08/2025

Our fourth speaker announcement!

MR CRIPPEN, CORA AND THE BODY IN THE BASEMENT
MATTHEW CONIAM

It was an 'open and shut' case. Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American quack doctor, had murdered his wife, the music hall performer Belle Elmore, and buried parts of her body in the coal cellar of their North London home.

But by the time the remains were discovered he had fled the country with his mistress disguised as his son. After a thrilling chase across the ocean he was caught, returned to England, tried and hanged, remembered forever after as the quintessential domestic murderer.

But if it was as straightforward as the prosecution alleged, why did he leave only some of the body in his house, when he had successfully disposed of the head, limbs and bones elsewhere? Why did he stick so doggedly to a plea of complete innocence, when he might have made a sympathetic case for manslaughter? Why did he make no effort to cover his tracks if he really had been planning a murder?

These and other questions remained tantalising mysteries for almost a century, until new DNA tests conducted in America exploded everything we thought we knew for sure about the story.

Matthew Coniam considers the implications for our understanding of the case, and where the real truth might lie.

Matthew Coniam is an author, lecturer and podcaster who has written seven books on subjects ranging from the Marx Brothers to Jane Austen and Egyptology. His book Mr Crippen, published by Pen & Sword in 2021, is now in paperback. He is preparing a study of the Lord Lucan mystery for publication in 2026.

It was an 'open and shut' case. Hawley Harvey Crippen, an American quack doctor, had murdered his wife, the music hall performer Belle Elmore, and buried parts of her body in the coal cellar of their North London home. 

31/07/2025

Our third speaker announcement!

THE SCIENCE OF SLEUTHING: THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF VICTORIAN AND EDWARDIAN DETECTIVES
Angela Buckley

Crime investigation has captured the public's imagination since the early nineteenth century, and the fascination with detectives and their sleuthing adventures endures today. Yet, despite the widespread interest, little is known about how the first professional police detectives developed their investigative skills, including the adoption of new scientific techniques, such as trace analysis, photography and fingerprinting.

Angela Buckley will share her original research into this compelling and unique topic. In her talk, she will follow in the footsteps of the Victorian and Edwardian police detectives as they examined crime scenes, gathered clues and tracked criminals on the dark streets of their cities. She will reveal how the first investigators used their skills to solve serious offences, including murder cases, and laid the foundations for today’s detective policing.

Dr Angela Buckley is a historian specialising in crime and detective policing, and the author of five books. Her doctoral research was on the evolution of Victorian and Edwardian detective practice. Her work has featured in many national magazines and newspapers, and on radio, podcasts and TV. Angela is associate lecturer at Oxford Brookes University.

Crime investigation has captured the public's imagination since the early nineteenth century, and the fascination with detectives and their sleuthing adventures endures today. Yet, despite the widespread interest, little is known about how the first professional police detectives developed their inv...

18/07/2025

Our second speaker announcement!

GASLIGHT STORIES: TALES FROM THE VICTORIAN LUNACY PANICS

SARAH WISE

Women in white, eccentric heirs, inconvenient people, 'maniacs' and 'monsters'...

The 19th century saw a series of scandals concerning sane individuals being locked away in lunatic asylums – the victims of unscrupulous persons, who wanted to be rid of a ‘difficult’ family member, spouse or friend.

But who were the victims of this trade? And to what extent was it carried on? Was a Victorian paterfamilias simply able to ‘put away’ an unwanted wife or disobedient daughter?

The 19th century saw a series of scandals concerning sane individuals being locked away in lunatic asylums – the victims of unscrupulous persons, who wanted to be rid of a ‘difficult’ family member, spouse or friend. But who were the victims of this trade? And to what extent was it carried on?...

11/07/2025

First speaker announcement!

MARK RUSSELL:
THE MURDER OF JULIA WALLACE

The classic unsolved murder from January 1931, in which Julia Wallace was found brutally beaten to death in the sitting room of the home she shared with husband William in Liverpool.

Despite William Wallace being arrested, charged and convicted of the murder, the verdict was overturned by the Court of Criminal Appeal − the first time in British legal history that an appeal had been allowed after re-examination of evidence.

The question remains: who killed Julia Wallace on that cold January night in 1931?

On 19 January 1931 a telephone message was left for Mr William Wallace at the Liverpool Central Chess Club, of which he was a member. It involved an appointment with a possible business client for the insurance collector, and instructed him to call at 25 Menlove Gardens East at 7.30pm the following....

05/07/2025

The Editors room at the Telegraph Hotel is where all the conference events will take place.

In theatre-style layout it can accommodate 100, and the room is also where morning and afternoon coffee breaks will held, as delegates browse the book stalls and display of artefacts.

A big thank you to all those who have purchased a ticket already!

www.TrueCrimeConference.com

04/07/2025

Welcome to all new followers of the Crime Through Time conference page!

The weekend event will take place in May 2026 at the iconic Telegraph Hotel in Coventry city centre.

The building was formerly home to the city’s newspaper for more than fifty years, and many features recall the buzz and bustle of journalists and machinists producing four printed editions every single day.

The scene is more laid-back since its conversion into a chic new hotel, putting Coventry in the news with headline-grabbing features that bring style and comfort to the city.

Forme & Chase, the hotel's restaurant, bar and lounge offers some authentic 1950s glamour.

www.TrueCrimeConference.com