Dr John is an experienced, enthusiastic speaker of many years, originally a dentist, specialising in orthodontics and odontology. He was a magistrate for many years sitting on criminal and youth cases.

His lectures are fascinating covering forensic dentistry and forensic science including many of his own cases. These talks are extremely popular as they blend science, history, & true crime using just the right balance of information with a touch of humour. He regularly lectures to professional and lay audiences and works for coroners, lawyers and police and disaster management.

FORENSIC ODONTOLOG / CSI

1. TEETH ..TRAVEL ..AND DETECTION ..Travels of a Forensic Dentist.
Teeth Tell Tales....Dr Robson shows examples from his travel log and some of the many cases he has encountered with particular emphasis on the strange, bizarre and amusing situations he has met on his world-wide travels. He shows that a sense of humour is vital in this type of work.

2. SOME-BODY Forensic Identification.
A fascinating explanation of how an unknown person or body is identified and why accuracy is so important …….also the methods we use to find the right answer..…Examples will be shown of the largest forensic investigation in history “The Asian Tsunami”….and many more recent examples from Dr Robson’s own casework.

3. REALITY BITES Bite marks
Dr Robson discusses ….types of bite mark cases. When is a bruise a bite mark?........what is the difference between human and animal bites? Why it is important to differentiate child and adult bites? Many of his own cases are illustrated…and also ”The College Girl Murders”” where the convicting evidence relied on a bite mark.

FORENSIC SCIENCE / CSI

4. BUGS TELL TALES Insects in Forensic Science.
How can insects help the investigation? An insight is given to forensic entomology with an outline of the science and cases where this type of evidence has played an vital part.

5. THE PATH TO TRUTH? Forensic Pathology
A window is opened into what is pathology? What is the remit of the forensic pathologist? Gunshot wounds, stabbings and the difficulties over time of death are discussed. A short history of pathology is presented with the details of 3 famous pathologists and 3 of their most infamous cases!

6. POISON – US Toxicology
An overview is presented on how poisons work. What are the types and effects of poisons? The case of the “Devious Dentist”, the poisoners that used tea and the classic poison -arsenic. Dr Robson describes famous historical cases - and the very recent VX and novichok incidents.

7. DON’T TOUCH. Fingerprints
A light is shed on fingerprints…Their history and classification are described …Why are fingerprints unique? How are fingerprints are used in practice? …is it only DNA that can solve cold cases? Other fascinating cases are described including the first case where fingerprints were used to affect a conviction.

8. DO NOT ASSAULT DNA
This is a whistle-stop tour about DNA and it’s discovery…….What are the sources of DNA?…..How Is it used and what are its limitations?…. Its value in the examination of cold cases and proof of innocence is discussed as is the first case of mass DNA screening & the subsequent conviction based on the DNA evidence.

TRUE CRIME / CSI

9. THE NO-BODY MURDERS
Can a murder conviction be obtained when a body has not been found? What is the meaning of Corpus Delecti ? This lecture examines murder cases where there is no body…… Including “The Killer Judge”, “the Muriel McKay kidnap”, “Murder in the Outback” and not least ”Murder through the Porthole”!

10. MURDEROUS MEDICS Doctors Who Murder
Why do some doctors become murderers? …Is it easier for them? What about the Hippocratic oath? …Indeed are some murderers or mercy killers? The forensic investigations into the crimes of Drs Pritchard, Crippen, Ruxton, Bodkin -Adams and , of course, Shipman are detailed.

11. DEATH ON THE TRACKS
Dr Robson provides a review of murders that have occurred in and around railways and how the perpetrators were brought to justice, including “Murder on the Southampton Express”, the infamous Duffy case and the Brighton trunk murder and the use of criminal profiling..

12 .THE END OF THE LINE…… London’s historic railway stations

The history , architecture and romance of the London rail terminals are illustrated. These buildings have been and still are, witness to smiles of welcome, sadness of goodbye and sometimes endless waiting. Some of the stations are cathedral-like and have outlived the changes thrust upon them and are monuments to history. Dr Robson shows some of these marvellous constructions and some of the celebrities who passed through.

GEOGRAPHICAL TRUE CRIME / CSI

13 MONEY, MURDER AND MAYHEM ON THE FRENCH RIVIERA
Dr Robson presents the two different faces of the Riviera from the glitzy glamour to the dark underworld and includes the biggest jewel heist in the world. He also includes the case of the “Black Widow” and “Monaco’s Multi-millionaire Murder”.

14. THE NOTORIOUS VIKINGS
The Vikings are usually portrayed as blood-thirsty warriors. Is this true? What is their influence on our history? We take a look at some of the famous ( and infamous) Viking characters.

15. NOTORIOUS IN NORWAY
Norway has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, however, Dr Robson discusses interesting cases of true crime in Norway from the 19th century to the present day including the Robin Hood of Bergen, Quisling and the mystery of the Isdal woman.

16. THE ROGUES OF ROME
Tales of true crime from Caesar to Knox.. Most crimes in Rome are petty crimes such as pick pocketing, and purse snatching. However, Italy
(especially in the south ) has become renowned for organised crime and the associated protection rackets. Despite this, there is a low homicide rate..
Dr Robson discusses a selection of the most celebrated historical crime stories associated in and around Italy’s capital.

17. GHOSTLY AND GHASTLY IN BARCELONA
Barcelona is full of secrets and mysteries – and lots of legends and eerie tales are spread within the city. Several places are said to be haunted. There was also a number of real crimes that took place..
Dr Robson describes a mixture of these eerie happenings and real crime in the city’s chequered history - including .cases such as "the Vampire of Barcelona" and a murder which links Bromley in Kent with the city.

18. THE VILLAINS OF VENICE
A beautiful city without doubt; a unique city……. However, with an undercurrent of strange and gruesome happenings.
From mysteries to murder in the streets of Venice. "The Body in the Suitcase", The Body under the Bridge" and "The Killer with No Motive" are discussed.

19. INFAMOUS IN ICELAND
There is very little crime in Iceland, but murder and mayhem does occur. It is a gun-loving nation that hasn't experienced a gun-related murder since 2007! We look at the criminology of this ...and why? Despite this, Dr Robson shines a light on some rare historical murders.

OTHER CRUISE RECENTLY COMPLETED
Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas 8 nights Southampton 13 Oct 2017
Ambassador Ambience A12216 34 nights Tilbury 12 Sept 2022
Ambassador Ambience A 12306 32 nights Tilbury 16th April 2023
Cunard Queen Mary 2 M329 7nights Southampton Sept 2023
Fred Olsen Bolette TR2401 8 nights Dakar Feb 2024
Ambassador Ambience A12411 12 nights Tilbury 10 Aug 2024
P&O Arvia K423 12 nights 29 Oct 2024
Cunard Queen Mary 2 4 nights Southampton 10 Dec 2024


I am a very experienced, enthusiastic speaker who engages with his audience in a relaxed, entertaining and friendly style. The subject matter is often of a serious nature so gentle humour plays a vital role in my talks. My presentations are always well attended and are updated regularly. As well as general forensic science, including some of my own casework, some of the true crime presentations are relevant to particular destinations.


“Dr. John has been a fantastic addition to this cruise, proving that general interest lectures are very well liked by guests in partnership with the more destination themed talks. John’s talks were informative, humorous and well presented, and all the great guest feedback was very positive. John has a natural and open approach, and his style is very easy to listen to and absorb the subject matter about which he is clearly passionate.”

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.