How does a single footprint help solve a homicide case? Dr Paul Bennett is a forensic podiatrist with a particular talent for identifying patterns left behind in footprints. His knowledge and expertise have assisted police in decoding evidence from crime scenes across Australia, including several high profile cases. Join host Kathyrn Fox as she unpacks the work Paul has undertaken and what it means to him. Please visit Danielmorcombe.com.au and learn about the Daniel Morcombe Foundation. Daniel’...
Dec 19, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 48
Buying, selling, and using drugs. Deceiving almost everyone in your life, and watching the horrors of crime unfold, whilst being unable to do anything about it. Former undercover operative Keith Banks is one of Queensland Police’s most decorated officers. He spent over two years undercover, jumping from identity to identity, dicing his way through drug deals and deceiving his way into friendships and high intensity operations. Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks the work of Keith Banks, and un...
Dec 17, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Ted Kaczynski terrorised the US for almost 20 years. But, what was it like forensically analysing the letters of a twisted genius? Max Houck is one of the world's most respected and recognised forensic scientists. During his time at the FBI, he worked on some of the world's most infamous forensic investigations, including 9/11, D.B Cooper, and The Unabomber. Understand Max's career with host Kathryn Fox, as we dive into these cases and hear the incredible stories of their forensic investigations...
Dec 12, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Unraveling the web of child exploitation deeply impacts everyone involved. In the second instalment of Brent Sanders’ chat with Narelle Fraser, delve deeper into Narelle’s time as a Detective in the Sex Crimes Squad where she investigated child exploitation. Learn about Narelle's personal approach when working alongside child victim-survivors, understand the delicate process of delivering earth-shattering news to parents and gain insights into what Narelle learned about the type of offenders who...
Dec 10, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 45
When two men are found dead off a main road in Honolulu, Hawaii, forensics is called to the scene. The state of the bodies is suspicious by nature, but there's something about one of the decedents that makes them almost impossible to identify. That's when Dr David Carter is called. David is the Director of Forensic Sciences at the Chaminade University in Hawaii. He's experienced, highly skilled and sought after by police for investigative consulting. His knowledge is broad, and with host Kathryn...
Dec 05, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 44
A 'low-level' break-in is reluctantly reported to police. Only one female officer seems concerned, and it's because of her 'creep radar.' The result, an offender terrorising his home and neighbourhood for months is finally identified and apprehended. That officer was former Detective Narelle Fraser. In this candid discussion with host Brent Sanders, hear about Narelle's unique skillset as a female detective, giving her profound insight into the minds and behaviours of perpetrators of sexual crim...
Dec 03, 2023•30 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In 1994, the lifeless body of a likely murdered man known only as 'The Gentleman' was discovered by German Police floating in the North Sea. For 28 years, the case baffled authorities, until a small team of forensic scientists and students in Perth, Australia, made a bombshell discovery no one saw coming. Brendan Chapman is the Director of Murdoch University’s Cold Case Review group and a senior lecturer in forensic science. In this discussion with Kathryn Fox, Brendan takes us inside the intern...
Nov 28, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 42
Yvette Erskine spent over a decade with the Tasmanian Police, serving as a Detective in the Criminal Investigation Branch and as an investigator in one of the state's most lucrative covert task forces. Understand the immense pressure she felt in a hostage situation, and how she was able to escape and control it. Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks Yvette's career and life after the force. If the content affected you, the number for lifeline is 13 11 14. Information and support for anyone affec...
Nov 26, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 41
When the body of Frances Tizzone was found, the only physical evidence located at the scene was several coarse fibres adhering to the soles of her shoes. Distinguished Professor Claude Roux is the Director of the UTS Centre for Forensic Science and President of the International Association of Forensic Sciences. In this episode, join host Kathryn Fox, and gain a deeper understanding of how the smallest details can unlock the doors to justice, and how Claude's research, in the middle of a murder ...
Nov 21, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 40
A regular night early in his career ended with him stabbed and bleeding out on a Sydney back street. Now, 25 years on, Jason Semple is one of NSW Police's most decorated and experienced operators. Since that infamous night, he's served overseas with some of the country's most highly trained special operations units, where he tackled some of the world's most high risk and intense situations. Understand how Jason recovered from that life changing night, where he lost his colleague and friend Peter...
Nov 19, 2023•42 min•Season 2Ep. 39
One of your family members could be missing, and your DNA could help find them. The AFP is putting out a call to the general public to help solve cold cases that have police them for decades. Associate Professor Jodie Ward is the Program Lead of the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons at the Australian Federal Police. Funded by the Confiscated Assets Account, the program is a nationwide effort to find, or identify people who are unaccounted for. Understand it all with host ...
Nov 14, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 38
The tragedy of a murder investigation never leaves detectives. The scenes, the circumstances, and how confronting it all is remain - it's just a matter of how police deal and cope with what they see, whilst remaining professional. As a former Victoria Police Homicide Detective, Graeme Simpfendorfer has seen and investigated horrific and tragic cases. He's a 27-year veteran of Victoria Police and was a highly valued member of Vic Pol's prestigious homicide team. Understand Graeme's career with ho...
Nov 12, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 37
The murder of Inge Lotz is one of the most controversial homicide investigations in South Africa's history. A lone fingerprint police claim to have lifted from a DVD case led to the acquittal of the alleged murderer, and resulted in accusations of fabricated evidence. Dr Scott Chadwick is a fingermark detection expert and leading academic at the UTS Centre for Forensic Science. His research focuses on optimising existing fingermark detection techniques and developing new reagents for revealing f...
Nov 07, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 36
One of New Zealand's most experienced police negotiators. From suicide prevention to high-intensity prison hostage situations, Lance Burdett has seen it all. Even though he joined the police late, at 35, Lance was able to blaze a path that led him to the top of New Zealand police. After 22 years, he retired as New Zealand's most skilled hostage negotiator, with a 100% record in suicide-related incidents. But, it wasn't all smooth sailing for Lance, as he explains to host Brent Sanders. This epis...
Nov 05, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 35
A place in the Blue Mountains where scientists perform tests on human remains, train sniffer dogs and understand what happens to the body in strange circumstances. Professor Maiken Ueland is the Deputy Director at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research, or more commonly known as AFTER. She is a leader in the field of forensic taphonomy, where she uses analytical biochemical and spectroscopic techniques to conduct human post-mortem investigations. The work she does is fascin...
Oct 31, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 34
A case that beggars belief. How does a detective cope with such a scene, and complete an investigation when having to take it all in? On September 2nd, 2001, a father murdered his three children. Jackson, six years old, Taylah, 11 months, and Mikaylah, 11 weeks. Still to this day, police don't have a motive. But what did the investigation look like, and how does a detective cope? Former Detective Carla Tomadini is an example of exceptional police work, and someone who deserves the recognition sh...
Oct 29, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 33
It's a horror scenario, but more common that you think. If you find remains, what should you do? Situations like this lead to convictions all the time, but if the improper process is followed, evidence can be contaminated and a conviction potentially lost. Professor Samantha Rowbotham is a forensic anthropologist at VIFM. She sees bones and human remains on a daily basis, and has an intimate understanding of what they tell us and how they can help solve crimes. Understand it all with host Kathry...
Oct 24, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 32
In 2016, Dustin La Mont was found not guilty of murder - but, it was a verdict that split New Zealand. After five hours of deliberation, the jury ruled he had acted in self-defence. But, as he left the courtroom, the family of the deceased swore at La Mont, and called him a 'murderer'. So why is this case so controversial? NZ Police Association President Chris Cahill was working that case, and he was part of the prosecuting team that alleged La Mont had pre-medidated his acts, and deliberately s...
Oct 22, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 31
When the bodies in the barrels were found, Australia was rocked. A murder investigation was underway, and forensics was set to play a huge part. But where to even begin? Roger Byard had been working in forensics for just two weeks when he got the call. A set of barrels had been found in a bank vault, and he was needed at the scene. The investigation that followed was taxing on Roger, and the community in South Australia, but the work was meaningful and would lead to successful convictions and an...
Oct 17, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 30
The murder of Boggabilla woman Theresa Binge is still unsolved, more than 20 years later. Why? On 29 June 2003, Theresa's body was found approximately 10 kilometres south of the Queensland border on Boomi Road. Forensic evidence indicates the crime was committed elsewhere before her body was moved. Former Detective Greg Lamey will never forget this case, even after having left the force and moved on. This case struck him and gripped him, as it did much of the Queensland and NSW communities. Greg...
Oct 15, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 29
In the 1990s, a deliberately fire in Sydney left 8 people dead. But how was it lit? How can forensics tell, and what information do they need to build a case for conviction? Professor Peter Ellis is a veteran of forensics in Australia and has worked across a number of high profile criminal investigations. As well, he's worked overseas, in mass grave sites in Kosovo and mass disasters like the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami. In this episode of Crime Insiders: Forensics, understand Peter's career, and th...
Oct 10, 2023•47 min•Season 2Ep. 28
A group of bikies converged on Sydney airport. Within minutes, one was dead and others injured. It was an incident that set off one of the world's most intense and effective gang operations, and lead to a plethora of law changes and high profile convictions. Deborah Wallace is a titan of NSW Police. Retiring in 2019 after 36 years in the force, she became known across Australia as 'The Gangbuster', after successful operations in the intense region of Cabramatta, and then the aforementioned Strik...
Oct 08, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 27
15% of the DNA on your hands isn't even yours. So, could you be found guilty of a crime you didn't commit? Just because your DNA was found at the scene? Professor Georgina Meakin is an expert in DNA transfer. She studies how DNA is moved from people to things, from things to people, and what it means in the context of crime. She exclusively works in defence, and has worked across an incredibly high profile case in the UK, involving a man named 'Flakey Dave'. Hear what happened to Flakey Dave, as...
Oct 03, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 26
An exclusive, never before heard retelling of how the Newcastle Knights superstar was covertly surveilled and arrested for drug trafficking. It threw his career and sport into disrepute - and, gave an insight into the fascinating culture of organised crime and sport in Australia. As well as arresting high profile sports stars, Former NSW Detective Sergeant Craig Semple has tackled some of Australia's most vicious, and high profile outlaw motorcycle gangs. Craig's career takes some incredible tur...
Oct 01, 2023•58 min•Season 2Ep. 25
How were the bodies found? What forensic techniques were used to catch Milat? And what findings helped bring closure to families? Professor Chris Griffiths is one of Australia's most experience forensic experts. In his time, he's helped bring closure to families by identifying victims. As well, his work has contributed to the convictions of some of the country's worst serial killers, including Ivan Milat. Join host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks Chris' career, and understands the toll this type of w...
Sep 26, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 24
The psychology of this policing is like no other, and requires a particular set of skills. For Anthony Macklin, it suited his attention to detail and unrelenting work ethic. He was dedicated to his work, and to the force. But, when bureaucracy and the decisions of those above him meant an offender slipped through the net - he had to rethink his career. Anthony Macklin is a former Detective Inspector in the NSW Police. He worked tirelessly in the force, and took on several high ranking positions ...
Sep 24, 2023•43 min•Season 2Ep. 23
It started with a bite, and ended in a violent shooting. Forensics employed unique techniques to help crack not only the murder, but the complex circumstances that led to it. Richard Bassed is one of Australia's most experienced forensic odontologists. His work is complex and important in solving high profile murders - like that of The Vampire Gigolo - but also, in identifying victims of mass fatalities and mass disasters. Unpack his work with host Kathryn Fox, and understand how forensic odonto...
Sep 19, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 22
A case that started a manhunt, and ended in tragedy. A quiet town in the Blue Mountains, thrown into chaos by a shooting and the police's effort to track down the offender. Alan Leek is a 35 year veteran of the NSW Police. He spent almost his entire career as a detective; investigating high stakes and high profile investigations. For much of his life, violent crime was on his door step, and it was up to him to take it on - whilst balancing, life, family and more. Join host Brent Sanders as he un...
Sep 17, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 21
A first hand account of how the GSK case was solved, the science used in Australia to crack similar cases and the ethical complexities that are muddying the waters. The case of the Golden State Killer puzzled police and amateur sleuths for decades. Then, in April 2018, a Sacramento man was arrested and charged. How did police find their man, and what led them to him after years of nothing but cold clues and lack of leads? Genealogy is a complex, and often misunderstood science. But, according to...
Sep 12, 2023•34 min•Season 2Ep. 20
A single incident, can lead police down a path, which if they're not taken off, can lead to horrific consequences. Beth Docksey had an illustrious career in the force, and should be recognised as one of NSW Police's shining lights. However, it took a surge of immense courage and resilience to get to where she is now. After a critical incident at the Eastwood Shopping Centre in Sydney - her husband Glenn began down a path that not many understood, one which culminated in a horrific incident years...
Sep 10, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 19
