Katherine Ramsland

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Katherine Ramsland
BornKatherine Johnston
(1953-01-02) January 2, 1953 (age 72)
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationCrime writer, professor
Genre Non-fiction
Subject True crime, supernatural
Notable works
  • Confession of a Serial Killer
  • The Human Predator
  • The Mind of a Murderer
  • The Serial Killer's Apprentice

Katherine Ramsland (born January 2, 1953) [1] is an American non-fiction author and professor of forensic psychology. Ramsland writes in the genres of crime, forensic science, and the supernatural. She is also a professor of forensic psychology and criminal justice at DeSales University. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Ramsland was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan and grew up in the neighboring town of Saline. [3] She is the daughter of Barbara and Henry Johnston, and has three siblings. [4] She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and philosophy from Northern Arizona University in 1978, a master's in clinical psychology from Duquesne University in 1979, a Ph.D. in philosophy from Rutgers University in 1984, a master's degree in forensic psychology from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2000, a master's in criminal justice from DeSales University in 2012, and a Master of Fine Arts from DeSales University in 2021. [5]

Career

Ramsland has written on the subjects of serial killers, crime scene investigation, vampires, forensic science, mass murder, sex offenders and ghosts, and was a regular contributor to Crime Library. [6]

Ramsland has more recently been recognized as the former instructor of Bryan Kohberger, the convicted mass murderer responsible for the 2022 University of Idaho murders. [7] [8]

Bibliography

References

  1. "Ramsland, Katherine 1953– | Encyclopedia.com".
  2. "Katherine Ramsland Ph.D." Psychology Today. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  3. Shteir, Rachel (September 15, 2016). "The Serial Killer's Co-Author". The New York Times.
  4. "Barbara Johnston, 88, Wife and Mother, Worked at Edwards Brothers, Was Known for Her Quilting Skills". thesalinepost.com. April 4, 2020.
  5. "Katherine Ramsland, M.A., M.F.A., Ph.D." DeSales.edu.
  6. "Katherine Ramsland". Crime Library. Archived from the original on May 9, 2008. Retrieved August 21, 2007.
  7. Baker, Mike (July 2, 2025). "The Serial Killer Expert Who Taught the Idaho Killer Shares Her Story" . Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  8. Rahman, Khaleda (July 3, 2025). "Serial Killer Expert Reveals How Bryan Kohberger 'Completely' Fooled Her" . Retrieved July 14, 2025.
  9. "2008–2009, Announcement Two". Archived from the original on August 11, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.