Hear from the lead investigator of Strike Force Reddan, the investigation into the so-called 'Family Law Court Bombings' - a crimewave which saw four people murdered and many others badly wounded in a series of shootings, bombings and an attempted bombing. Several buildings were destroyed or damaged in the attacks. Strike Force Reddan resulted in the arrest and conviction of the offender, who later died of natural causes while serving his sentence.

In the podcast Detective Inspector Mathieu Russell of the New South Wales Police Force talks about key aspects of the investigation and court case, and reflects on the challenges facing police - both at the time the offences occurred in the 1980s, and more recently with Strike Force Reddan which was a cold-case investigation utilising modern forensic and information management technology.

The podcast episode complements the feature article about the investigation that appeared in the June 2025 edition of the APJ.

To subscribe to the APJ, go to www.apjl.com.au and click on the subscribe button. Alternatively, contact the APJ office at apj@apjl.com.au or +61 (0)2 9285 3399.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Detective Inspector Mathieu Russell

Five short crime case studies from the April-June 1947 issue of the APJ, give insight to policing in the first half of the 20th Century. Case 1: police use an ingenious method to locate a notorious counterfeiter. Case 2: police use common sense and legwork to identify arsonists who had damaged a factory. Case 3: how fraudsters came unstuck, attempting to defraud the government of petrol coupons. Case 4: a lovestruck armed robber is apprehended by detectives. Case 5: a man is murdered in rural Queensland and his body is found in remote NSW. These case studies are some of the first to ever appear in the APJ.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

The APJ's homepage is www.apjl.com.au

Authorities are notified of a man having been ritualistically killed in a highlands village in remote New Guinea. Australian and New Guinean police, and a doctor, set out on foot to investigate. The case then takes a bizarre turn when the murderer seeks a reward for his actions.

This episode is a case from the archives of the APJ – a 1972 article concentrating on the strange phenomenon known as ‘cargo cults’ and how they emerged in some Pacific Island communities who were keen to enrich themselves with western consumer goods.

It’s a compelling story which shows how – just one lifetime ago – Australia was a colonial power with an international mandate to govern other cultures who were facing the challenges of rapidly adjusting to modernity.

This episode includes a narration of an abridged version of the article, using artificial intelligence (AI). On occasion, the article’s author used the word ‘primitive’ in a way which was widely acceptable at the time it was written, but which is now culturally insensitive. Listener discretion is advised.

You can subscribe to the APJ by visiting the website www.apjl.com.au, and clicking on the ‘subscribe’ button at the top of the page.

Organised crime is the focus of this wide-ranging discussion with author, lecturer and academic, Professor Mark Galeotti. Criminal activities canvassed in the chat include people smuggling, the illicit drug trade, slavery, 3D printed weapons, human organ harvesting, and environmental crimes such as the smuggling of sand and counterfeit cacao beans.

Mark’s recent book – Homo Criminalis: How crime organises the world – covers the history and evolution of organised crime. It leaves the reader pondering the future and how authorities should tackle the challenges posed by criminal syndicates, who are professionalising in a process Mark describes as Darwinian.

Mark also talks about Russian organised crime and how it (and Russian society) is likely to change as a result of the country’s illegal war on Ukraine.

Homo Criminalis: How crime organises the world is published by Penguin Books. Mark Galeotti also produces a weekly podcast and regular blog on developments in Russia, called In Moscow’s Shadows.

If you enjoy the podcast but are not a subscriber to the APJ, please become one as subscriptions fund the podcast and the magazine. For more information, go to www.apjl.com.au

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Professor Mark Galeotti

This is the third and final episode regarding the police investigation into the 2015 murder of Leeton High School teacher Stephanie Scott. The first two episodes focused on how police identified and brought to justice, the murderer Vincent Stanford. This episode concentrates on Vincent’s twin brother, Marcus.

Because twins have identical DNA, it was important for police to clearly establish Marcus’ location at the time of Stephanie’s death. When police became satisfied Marcus had been in South Australia, he was ruled out as a suspect. As events transpired however, Marcus became an accessory after the fact to murder.

Detectives Tim Clark and Justin Milne talk about their investigation of Marcus and then conclude with their thoughts on how they coped with the strains and stresses of the experiences associated with investigating these grim crimes.

The two crime case articles this series has referenced can be read in the APJ. ‘Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott’ is in the September 2019 edition and ‘No End to the Sorrow’ is in the June 2025 edition. Both articles can be read online at www.apjl.com.au.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

Following on from episode 49, Detectives Tim Clark and Justin Milne discuss how police were able to build a brief of evidence against Stephanie Scott’s murderer. This included locating Stephanie’s abandoned and burnt body near a campsite. The unique challenges facing police in rural areas are detailed in the episode, especially how detectives engaged with the cold-blooded killer. It’s a fascinating example of police working to bring justice for Stephanie’s family.

The crime case story this conversation references – Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott – is in the September 2019 edition of the APJ. It can be read at www.apjl.com.au.

Note this episode discusses in a degree of detail, the murder and sexual assault of an innocent victim.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

The nation was shocked by the vicious and senseless murder of schoolteacher Stephanie Scott in Leeton NSW in 2015. Two detectives involved in the investigation give their unique insights into the early days of the case, from the moment they were called upon to assist in what was initially reported as a missing person case, to when they arrested the offender and charged him with murder. This episode begins a three-part must-listen series for any aspiring detective.

The crime case story this conversation references – Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott – is in the September 2019 edition of the APJ. It can be read at www.apjl.com.au.

Host: Jason Byrnes

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

This episode is about how the actions of Australian police can have a diplomatic effect, when police personnel are deployed overseas. The deployment of police to another country is as much a statement about the sending nation’s intent and values, as it is about the police duties being performed.

Dr Martin Hess is a retired police officer who has just published a book titled ‘The Politics of Police Diplomacy – the Australian Experience’. It’s an analysis of six decades of Australian police activities in places such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific.

In these locations, Australian police have performed duties ranging from criminal investigations to disaster victim identification, capacity building, liaison, stability support and peacekeeping. In his book, Martin examines these activities through a diplomatic lens.

Martin served in the Australian Federal Police for 33 years, during which time he worked in several Australian cities as well as overseas, in Afghanistan, Cyprus and East Timor. Before retiring in 2021, Martin was awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the Australian National University. His doctoral thesis is titled ‘The Australian Federal Police as an international actor: diplomacy by default’.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Dr Martin Hess