Man Who Inspired ‘The X-Files,’ ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and ‘Copycat’ to Speak at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Robert Ressler, considered to be this country’s foremost criminologist and the world’s leading authority on violence in contemporary society, will be speaking at The University of Alabama on Monday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ferguson Ballroom.

The University Programs lecture is free.

Ressler is the acknowledged true-life hero of “The Silence of the Lambs” and was a consultant for “Copycat.” The hit television series “The X-Files” was inspired by Ressler’s work at the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit. He also wrote the best-selling “Whoever Fights Monsters” and “Justice Is Served.”

Ressler is the founder and former director of the FBI’s acclaimed violent criminal apprehension program. During his 26-year career with the FBI, he has been an expert on serial killers and sexual homicides. He has investigated prominent serial killers including Jeffrey Dahmer, John Wayne Gacy, Charles Manson, Ted Bundy and David Berkowitz. Ressler has gone into prisons to hear the bizarre first-hand stories of countless convicted murderers. Getting inside the mind of a killer to understand how and why he (or she) kills is one of the FBI’s most effective ways of helping police find killers who are still at large.

He frequently assists international investigations in locations such as Russia, South Africa, Japan and Malaysia.