Leif G.W. Persson

Leif G.W. Persson, born on March 12, 1945, in Stockholm, Sweden, is a distinguished criminologist and author, celebrated for his impactful crime novels and engaging media presence. Raised in Gärdet and later in Valhallavägen, he completed his education at Norra Real before attending Stockholm University. Persson earned his Ph.D. in sociology in 1980, concentrating on statistical measurement issues in criminology. He became an associate professor in 1982 and achieved full professorship in criminology in 1991, specializing in police methodologies.

From 1967 to 1977, Persson provided his expertise to the National Police Board and played a pivotal role in exposing the "Geijeraffären," which implicated Justice Minister Lennart Geijer in a scandal involving prostitution. This controversy led to his dismissal, an experience that inspired his debut novel, *Grisfesten*.

Throughout his academic career, which spanned over two decades at Stockholm University, he also consulted for the Ministry of Justice on smuggling offenses and assisted journalist Per Lindeberg in the book *Döden är en man*, detailing a high-profile murder case.

In the realm of television, Persson co-created the show *Grabbarna på Fagerhult* with Jan Guillou and authored associated cookbooks. He was a prominent criminology expert on *Efterlyst* from 1998 to 2010 and later co-hosted *Veckans brott* with Camilla Kvartoft. His crime fiction, particularly the series featuring characters like Evert Bäckström, gained international attention, with 20th Century Fox adapting some of his works into the series *Backstrom* in 2015.

Persson's personal life includes marriages to Birgitta Liedstrand, Margareta Jönsson, and Kim Olsson since 2003. He resides in Solna and enjoys a hunting estate near Gnesta, with