David Woodland was born in Croydon in 1936 and attended John Ruskin Grammar School. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1953. After National Service with the Royal Military Police in Germany he rejoined the Met. His interest in the historical evolution of criminal law developed at Bramshill Police College, Hampshire and this led to publication of his first book Wild’s Law.
Prior to retirement in 1978 he was a Detective Inspector at Criminal Intelligence Department, New Scotland Yard. Thereafter he investigated fraudulent shipping and insurance claims for Lloyds of London worldwide. He retired to the Channel Islands in 1988. He is married with three sons and four grandchildren.