David Thompson

David Thompson, CFI, is a Partner and President of Wicklander-Zulawski & Associates (WZ) and an active instructor. He oversees WZ’s strategic vision, daily operations, and the advancement of investigative interviewing curricula, integrating research-based techniques to drive industry change.

With extensive experience as a practitioner and former VP of Operations and Director of Investigations, David has managed diverse cases, from theft and fraud to sexual harassment and homicide. He has developed and delivered training programs worldwide, presented keynote addresses, and holds a position on the Advisor Board of the International Association of Interviews (IAI). David is also the host of the Truth Be Told podcast where he interviews guests including investigators, attorneys, exonerees, journalists and other professionals on the impact of communication.

A sought-after speaker, David has trained professionals across the private and public sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, law enforcement agencies, and government organizations such as U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Marshals Service, and Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. He has also spoken at major conferences hosted by the National Retail Federation, the International Investigative Interviewing Research Group, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.

David has played a key role in evolving WZ’s content and teaching methods, leading the creation of custom programs like one for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, where he served as Deputy Program Manager. Passionate about reform, he collaborates with academics, advocacy groups, and policymakers to enhance interview and interrogation protocols.

He has been cited by the Federal Court of Appeals and consulted on legislative efforts, while also serving duties as an expert witness on false confessions and interrogation techniques. He holds a B.A. in Psychology with a Criminal Justice concentration from Canisius College and an M.S. in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University.