Crime Insiders

Every word leaves a trace. A disgruntled employee's late-night Facebook rant, cryptic messages, riddled with emojis, arranging a drug deal, a threatening letter from a scorned ex. These are more than words to forensic linguist, Professor Georgina Heydon. They’re crucial clues that can act like a phonetic fingerprint, revealing the identity of the culprit - because sometimes the key to solving a crime isn’t what’s said, but how it’s said. In this episode, hosted by Kathryn Fox, Georgina explains how the scientific study of language can help solve crimes and expose the truth. This episode references men's violence against women. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services. The number for Life Line is 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a door was bashed in, and a very ordinary seeming man was put in cuffs, the heinous crimes of the Claremont Serial Killer were finally brought to light. Todd Bowler, a former WA Tactical Group member has been on the other side of these investigations for several years, and during his career, was a lead member in several high profile cases.  He sat down with host Brent Sanders to talk through his career and to explain how he was part of the dramatic investigation that caught the Claremont Serial Killer.  To hear more from Todd, visit this link. This content contains references to sexual violence and violence against children. If this affects you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 20 years, Henry Keogh was imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. What was a tragic accident turned into a full-blown murder trial, fueled by dubious evidence from now-discredited forensic pathologist, Dr. Colin Manouk. In this episode, host Kathryn Fox talks with Forensic Photographer, Professor Gale Spring, one of the key experts who helped overturn Keogh's conviction in 2014. Hear about the intricate complexities of interpreting images and video, the misplaced trust juries often have in CCTV footage, and the human propensity to perceive patterns where none exist. This episode contains references to the abuse of children. If it affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After finding a fragment of a skull several metres within a toilet plumbing system, police knew they were dealing with something sinister.  Mike Bush is a former commissioner of the New Zealand Police Force and has had a decorated career. However, his time as a Detective and a lead investigator saw him take on some gruesome and confronting cases - a far stretch from the press conferences and media appearance as commissioner.  He sat down with host Brent Sanders to explain some of these cases and to walk us through the way police investigated and finalised some of New Zealand's most high profile cases.  This episode contains references to violence against children. If this content affects you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A blood-stained cloth was the only evidence police had to work with when Marlene Maria Smith didn't turn up to work in August, 2000. This small clue would soon become part of the huge web of forensic evidence, ultimately leading to the conviction of a killer. Peter Baines OAM spent over two decades as a specialist forensic crime scene investigator with the NSW Police. In this episode with host Kathryn Fox, hear how a real CSI handles a crime scene, from start to finish.  This episode contains graphic descriptions of men's violence against women. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man described as "pure evil", understand how police investigated his heinous crimes, caught him in and the process of holding him in prison whilst seeking a confession. Decorated former Victorian Police Detective Adrian Paterson joins host Brent Sanders to unpack his career, and go deep into how he helped catch some of Australia's most high-profile criminals. If this content affects you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Drowning is the third-highest cause of death around the world, yet underwater recovery and aquatic forensic investigation remain heavily underresourced and underresearched.  Forensic investigator and scientific diver, Sarah Mormino, is on a mission to change this.  In this episode, host Kathryn Fox and Sarah unravel the fascinating and often perilous process of collecting and preserving evidence underwater. Discover why turtles can be unexpected adversaries for investigators and hear about the case that ignited Sarah's passion for aquatic crime scenes. If this content affected you, the number LifeLine is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragedy that rocked Melbourne in the late 80s, and one that left the nation questioning its own attitude towards guns and violence.  Former Commissioner of Victoria Police Kel Glare was just a few months away from getting the top job when an armed gunman killed seven and injured 19 people in Melbourne's inner North. It's a case that stood out to Kel for its violence and senselessness, and one that shook him him despite him being as experienced as he was.  Hear about that case, and others as Kel sat down with host Brent Sanders in this episode of Crime Insiders: Detectives.  This content contains references to mens violence against women and child sexual abuse. Help is always available, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If this content affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartbreaking was the only word that could be used to describe the death of a 10-month-old baby in Perth. What was less clear cut is the question that was posed to the judge - was the baby boy’s death an accident, or was he murdered by his father? Judith Fordham has been lauded as one of Western Australia’s most high-profile criminal lawyers, but her dual expertise in law and forensics sets her apart from her colleagues. In this episode with host Kathryn Fox, hear about one of the most divisive areas in both forensic science and the law - "shaken baby syndrome".  This episode references child abuse and infant loss. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services. For support relating to infant loss, contact Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 307 or visit rednosegriefandloss.org.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when back up is three hours away, and you're faced with a violent and desperate situation?  Mark Tregellas is one of Victoria's most experienced regional police officers. He's spent decades tackling violent and intense criminal situations, ones that are unique to that of Australia's wild and often unpredictable regional areas.  Join host Brent Sanders as Mark walks him through two cases that stand out to him from his time in the force.  This content contains references to men's violence against women. Help is always available, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If this content affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semen is the crack cocaine of the fly world, and while maggots love a corpse, flies feast on live human flesh and fluids. So, could a fly frame you for murder? And how do police differentiate fly 'artifacts' from human biological material at a crime scene? These are all things forensic biologist, Dr Annalisa Durdle has studied. Join host Kathryn Fox as Annalisa redefines what it means to be a 'fly on the wall'.  If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AFP and customs intercept hundreds of tonnes of narcotics every year. But, the techniques of criminals and smugglers are becoming more complex, and unfortunately, more effective.  Nigel Phair is a former Australian Federal Police Officer who took on a range of high profile drug importation cases. This saw him intercepting large quantities of drugs, investigating its origin and surveilling its eventual destination in Australia.  Understand this work and hear Nigel walk host Brent Sanders through how the police undertake these investigations and how things have changed over the years.  If this content affected you, the number for LifeLine is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took 37 years, a failed murder trial, and an Australian mathematician to finally prosecute one of Scotland's most infamous serial killers.  Professor David Balding is a pioneer in the field of mathematical computational genetics. Join host Kathryn Fox and hear how using things like probability, David can calculate the likelihood of DNA belonging to offenders, victims and crime scenes.  If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The gangs of New Zealand are like nothing else, and as an undercover cop, you're forced to prove yourself, demonstrate you're a criminal and show you're capable of committing violent and often dangerous crimes.  That was the life of undercover operative Mark Van Lee Warden, who spent years as a covert officer deep inside the underworld of the New Zealand ganglands. He was required to tackle some of the country's most powerful underworld figures, including the infamous convicted murderer Ricki Goodin. Mark sat down with host Brent Sanders to explain how he became an undercover cop, and the impact it had on him in his professional and personal life.  To hear more about Mark's time in the force, his book is available here.  Mark's work post policing at Warden Consulting.  This episode features references to mens violence against women, if this content affects you, help is available via LifeLine on 13 11 14, or, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victims of stalking are systematically let down. So, how do the police handle reports of stalking? And what does the research tell us about effective intervention? 24-year-old Alice Ruggles was stalked and murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Alice did all the recommended things, including reporting his dangerous behaviour to the police multiple times. Unfortunately, Alice's story is not a one-off. It's a typical story illustrating the link between coercive control and stalking.  Join host Kathryn Fox for part 2 of her discussion with forensic psychologist, Professor Troy McEwan from Swinburne University.  This episode is part 2 of 2. To learn more about Alice's story, and the work of the Alice Ruggles trust, head here. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The consequences of online abuse can be fatal, and in the early 2000s, even experts were naive to the dangers of the online world for us, and our kids. Yasmin London is a former NSW Police Officer who took on a diverse set of roles in her decade in the force. She tackled the everyday stress of general duties, the diverse crimes of Rosebay in Sydney and the complex and unknown world of cyberbullying in the early days of the internet.  Yasmin joined host Brent Sanders to talk through her career, and to unpack how her time in the force impacted her motivation for the work she does now.  This episode contains references to suicide and mens violence against women, if it affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stalking is disturbingly common, yet often misunderstood by wider society.  Professor Troy McEwan from the Swinburne University of Technology is a forensic psychologist specialising in understanding, assessing, and treating stalking behaviour. In this episode with Kathryn Fox, hear about the 5 different types of stalkers, and gain insights into their problematic behaviours.  This episode is part 1 of 2.  If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once an admired figure in NSW police, the now disgraced Roger Rogerson left a trail of corruption and death as he moved his way through the force.  Former NSW Detective Deborah Locke was at the centre of Rogerson's grip on the police, and faced horrific consequences for standing up to him and his corruption. Deb sat down with host Brent Sanders, and unpacked the details of her life in the force and how she overcame both Rogerson and the police itself.  This episode features references to suicide, miscarriages and infant loss. If this content affected you, help is always available via Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even when removed or burnt, forensic experts can use tattoos to identify offenders and victims of crimes. This is one of many techniques forensic photographers like Karen Byrne use to document everything from crime scenes to autopsies.  Hear about the surprising ways evidence can be captured, the emotional weight of the job, and how forensic photography plays a crucial role in securing justice. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the country's most effective crime fighting arms, Queensland Police have some of the world's most dedicated officers. Their experience in fighting online child sexual abuse is second to none, and James Maskey was part of that team.  Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks James' career. From General Duties, to the CPOL team, hear about the cases that defined James and eventually lead to his decision to leave the force.  To learn more about James' work at Fortem visit the link below:  https://fortemaustralia.org.au/ If this content affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.