Episodes

  • FORENSICS: Semen, drunk flies, and crime scenes
    May 21 2024

    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.

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    36 mins
  • DETECTIVES: How Drugs Are Smuggled into Australia
    May 19 2024

    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.

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    31 mins
  • FORENSICS: The World's End Murders
    May 14 2024

    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.

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    38 mins
  • DETECTIVES: How Undercover Cops Infiltrate Gangs
    May 12 2024

    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 deadly 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.

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    42 mins
  • FORENSICS: The story of Alice Ruggles
    May 7 2024

    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.

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    36 mins
  • DETECTIVES: Cyberbullying
    May 5 2024

    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.

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    47 mins
  • FORENSICS: The psychology of stalking
    Apr 30 2024

    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.

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    37 mins
  • DETECTIVES: Roger Rogerson
    Apr 28 2024

    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.

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    51 mins