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...

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...

They say pigs will eat anything. But can they diminish a whole human body? Surprisingly, science didn't have an answer to this question until recently. Forensic anthropologist, Dr Penny McCardle, has helped police investigate some of the most high-profile crimes in recent history, including the disappearance of William Tyrell and the 1986 murder of Roxlyn Bowie.  In this discussion with Kathryn Fox, hear about the investigation into the murder of Roxlyn, which included the biggest...

Matt Newlands is a former NSW Police Officer who undertook general duties for much of his career. His career was well regarded, but was also peppered with difficulties and would end as part of a slippery slope of incidents in Matt's personal life.  We'll understand what lead to that situation with host Brent Sanders, as he unpacks stories and cases from Matt's career and the one mistake which ended it.   If this content affected you, the number LifeLine is 13 11 14.  See...

Technology has become a weapon for perpetrators of abuse. And, in our digitally intertwined lives, cyber forensics has become an essential step in almost all aspects of criminal investigation, particularly cases involving child exploitation and family violence.  Cyber forensic expert, Rose MacDonald, has made it her life's mission to combat this insidious form of abuse. Her work ensures the complex process of evidence preservation of spyware-infested devices and encrypted apps brings these...

A person of interest driving over five days and distributing drugs across the country was finally brought down after a complex sting.  Noel, who's last name has been redacted for operational reasons is one of Victoria's most seasoned detectives, and has seen the state thrashed through a period of uncertainty by Melbourne's high-profile criminal underworld.  He joins Brent Sanders, and talks us through his time in the force and what he's working on post policing.  This episode contains...

Heard of a smoking gun? What about a smoking shovel?  Tracking down killers has never been part of the traditional job profile for people who study soils, but when the bodies of two women believed to be murdered could not be located, police gave pedologist, Professor Rob Fitzpatrick a call. In this episode with Kathryn Fox, Rob reveals how soil has been the key to cracking complex criminal investigations, from unsolved homicides to illegal dinosaur nest smuggling and counter-terrorism...

Tony Hines' body was found strewn against a cliff face in Maroubra. How did police begin their investigation, and what contributed to the eventual outcome of the case? Former NSW Police Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Owens is one of the states' most respected officers, and has seen some of NSW's most intense criminal operations unfold.  Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks Dave's illustrious career, and gains an understanding of how Dave took on the infamous Bra Boys.  If this content...

Two young girls shot dead in a town of less than 1000 people. With local law enforcement stumped, they turned to the renowned FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit for answers. Julia Cowley is a retired FBI criminal profiler with a twist - she's a forensic scientist too. In this episode with Kathryn Fox, hear about Julia's very first assignment with the BAU, where her unique dual skillset provided insight into the motivations and behavioral traits of an offender who could commit such a crime -...

When Detective Brett Lee was told one of his colleagues was a potential sex offender, he took on not only the investigation, but the pressure of prosecuting one of his own.  Brett was a career detective, and was involved in some of QPol's most heinous investigations. Working in child protection has its difficulties, but for Brett, he found the challenges to be rewarding. Understand his work and what it took to undertake it with host Brent Sanders, as he dives into Brett as an officer and as...

After being arrested for drink driving, how did a hair sample and forensic expertise help save Silverchair lead singer Daniel Johns from a prison sentence? Dr Michael Robertson has over 20 years of forensic expertise. One of his most common cases is drink driving, and even though it seems black and white - you're either over the limit or you're not, it's actually far more nuanced and complex. Join host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks Michael's work and the case involving Daniel Johns.  If this...

When an off-duty officer made a disturbing discovery off a country road in Sheffield, detectives were immediately notified. They rushed to the scene to preserve evidence and begin piecing together clues. For Detective Nigel Donohue though, despite the horrific scene, this case proved much more complex, and more disturbing than what initially appeared.  Former South Yorkshire Detective Inspector Nigel Donohue joins Brent Sanders to walk him through his 31 year plus career, and offers insight...

Several shots fired, a body in a driveway, and an abandoned meat cleaver. How does forensics piece together the scene and catch the killer?  Angus Newton is one of Oceania's most respected ballistic experts. His career has seen him take on hundreds of intense and complex cases - spanning from discrete robberies to violent and devastating killings.  Unpack his work with host Kathryn Fox, as Angus walks her through the strange case of Operation Blue.  If this content affected you, the number...

A wounded gang member, a set of abandoned shotguns in a playground and a witness who refuses to testify. How do police piece together the case to not only make sense of what happened, but gain a conviction?  Luke Taylor is a 14 year veteran of the force. His time in the police saw him take on unique challenges, and meant he was on the frontline of policing for some of NSW's most violent crimes.  Understand his career with host Brent Sanders, and hear about Luke's post policing endeavours as...

Six shots fired, an abandoned meat cleaver, a broken windshield and a bullet to the jaw. How do forensics build a case, and understand what happened when the evidence and the crime scene is so scattered. Angus Newton is a ballistics expert in New Zealand, and is seen as one of the region's most experienced operators. Join host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks both Operation Oaktree, but also a drug deal gone wrong which ended in a murder and the crucial part Angus played in convicting the...

After her convictions were quashed, many touted forensics as the saviour for Kathleen Folbigg. But, how did they fail her in the first place, and what led to one of Australia's greatest ever miscarriages of justice?  Host Kathryn Fox is joined by Professor Stephen Cordner, who is one of Australia's most respected forensic experts. In 2021, Stephen was one of 90 eminent scientists who signed a groundbreaking petition calling for the immediate pardon and release of Kathleen...

A man brandishing two shotguns brought one of Adelaide's busiest streets to a standstill, with former Chief Superintendent Mick Symons caught in the crossfire. in this episode, understand Mick Symons' illustrious policing career, from his time in the high-stakes Armed Offenders Apprehension Group to leading gripping homicide investigations, including the tragic case of Samantha O'Reilly. In this discussion with Brent Sanders, Mick delves into the evolution of policing techniques and...

How do forensic investigators decipher the scene of a violent car crash? Why is the filament in a brake light so important? And what evidence can lead investigators down the wrong path? Dr Raphael Grzebieta is an expert in car crash analysis, and has worked for decades in the field. His goal is to bring road safety to the fore of transport conversations, and refuses to acknowledge car crashes as accidents, claiming there is always a reason.  Join host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks the work of...

Countless victims over a 20 year period, only uncovered thanks to the bravery of the victim-survivors who came forward and told their story. In the mid 1990s, Detective Troy Grant received a report from two men who had been sexually abused by Paedophile Priest Vincent Ryan. What followed was an investigation that uncovered decades of horrific and ongoing abuse within the Catholic Church.  Join Brent Sanders as he unpacks this investigation with Former Police Minister Troy Grant, as he walks...

A long standing theory, but one ballistics supports, at least in the mind of some of those who worked the case, is that Ivan Milat didn't act alone and that there were multiple shooters at several of his crime scenes.  Host Kathryn Fox sits down with one of Australia's most respected forensic experts, Gerard Dutton to understand why some think there was more than one shooter, and how specific ballistic evidence supports this.  This episode contains references to violence, if it affects you,...

Known for its violent, unpredictable atmosphere, and for being a home to Sydney's organised crime kingpins. The Cross is an intense place to be for anyone, especially a cop.  Brett Stevens is a former NSW Police Officer who spent years in the heart of Sydney's inner city, and took on cases that still affect him now, almost 20 years later. Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks Brett's life in the force, and seeks to understand how things are different now that he's left the force.  This...

Forensic data and pattern recognition tell us a lot, but how does it help in the fight against domestic violence? And how are some data points more important than others?  Dr Lyndal Bugeja is the research lead of the Violence Investigation Research and Training Unit at Monash University, and is an expert in interpreting forensic data sets to gain an understanding as to how people are dying/being killed and what can be done to stop it.  Lyndal sits down with host Kathryn Fox to explain how a...

A hefty bribe landed in the hands of a supposedly crooked cop, courtesy of a heroin kingpin's brother. Little did the briber know, this cop was Michael Kennedy, a former detective with an unwavering moral compass. Michael spent over two decades with the NSW Police, working in the Major Crime Squad, Bureau of Crime Intelligence, and the NSW State Crime Commission. In this episode with Brent Sanders, Michael reflects on his unusual path to policing, which meant he could form and maintain...

When a merciless serial killer terrorised the women of Manchester with a spate of brutal attacks, police and forensics were left stumped. Now, almost 50 years later, forensics has learned, and built more advanced technologies that could've helped catch the killer sooner, and saved more lives.  To understand how forensics has learned from this case, and to unpack the current strategies being employed to catch criminals and save lives, host Kathryn Fox sits down with expert Dr Marie...