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...

Two cousins, both wives to the same man, found dead under mysterious circumstances. Was this the world's unluckiest husband, or a serial wife killer? Former detective Peter Seymour has dedicated over two decades of his life to the people of Western Sydney, serving in the NSW Police as both a detective and police prosecutor.  In this episode, Brent Sanders talks to Peter about the shockingly bizarre investigation of Thomas Keir, and the life-altering case that pushed Peter to his limits,...

One of Australia's greatest ever miscarriages of justice. For decades, The Crown and much of the Australian public called for Lindy Chamberlain to be gaoled. Then, when she was, it was only until a chance discovery of new evidence was she released.  Uncover the failings of forensics in one of Australia's most infamous criminal matters with expert Mackenzie de la Hunty. Hear as she walks host Kathryn Fox through the case, and gives intricate detail into what was involved in the forensics of...

Working in child protection takes you to the darkest corners of humanity. Former detective Jack Roney, devoted over a decade to Queensland Police's Child Protection Unit, where he not only tackled some of the most heinous offences in the Crimes Act, but also took on the role of guardian for children who had witnessed unimaginable horrors, including homicide. In this discussion with Brent Sanders, Jack shares the harrowing story of two parents who were murdered in front of their seven...

CCTV has helped capture criminals all across the world, but, catching a killer on camera isn't as clear cut as you might think. In fact, what may seem like the smoking gun in a case, forensic photography is actually a complex and often misunderstood field.  Glenn Porter is an expert in forensic photography, and has spent decades taking pictures of crime scenes, presenting evidence and explaining how the science of video and photography works in a forensic investigation.  Join host Kathryn...

100 tactical operators, and lasting for nearly 40 hours. It's one of Australia's most intense, and high profile siege operations.  Brett Pennell is a former NSW Police Officer who spent almost 20 years in the force. As part of the Tactical Operations Unit, Brett was involved in high level raids, drug import intercepts and complex, high profile arrests.  One of those jobs, the Tumut Siege, saw him make a split second decision, that still impacts him to this day. Understand this job and more...

An innocent woman was jailed for 16 years for a murder she did not commit. It wasn't until The Innocence Project became involved that Kirstin Blaise Lobato was finally able to walk free.  Professor Gail Anderson is Canada’s first-ever full-time forensic entomologist and has been working in the field for nearly 35 years. Her work is dedicated to the study of insects, and what they can reveal about miscarriages of justice.  In this discussion with host Kathryn Fox, Gail details her...

The world's most notorious criminals, unknowingly spilling their secrets on a 'secure' app run by... the cops. That's exactly what happened in Operation Ironside, a covert operation run by the FBI in collaboration with the AFP. Chris Craner is one of Australia’s most experienced tactical operators. His 30-plus-year career had him at the forefront of some of the country’s most intense and high-stakes investigations, including Ironside and the Lindt Cafe Seige.  In this episode hosted by...

Do you know what a forensic sexual assault examination actually entails? What are the processes and how do they affect the outcome of a case? In this episode, former GP Kathryn Fox speaks to forensic physician Dr Maaike Moller to demystify and debunk the process of reporting a sexual assault. Maaike will walk us through how and when to report an assault, how evidence and DNA is collected from a survivor, and the autonomy of the survivor throughout the whole process. Maaike also shares her...

After an attempted murder left a man brutally injured, one cop decided to change the way police in Queensland respond to violent crimes.  Queensland Police Sergeant Dustin Osborne is one of the best examples of how proactive policing can not only prevent crime, but save lives.  He designed and implemented QPol’s groundbreaking Tactical First Aid Program. An initiative which has received global acclaim for its ability to train first responding police in critical medical intervention...

In 2016, a mum of three and a wannabe serial killer became two of Australia's most calculated female murderers. Dr Kari Pitts is a forensic chemist and trace evidence expert, who has worked on over 300 criminal cases, including homicides, violent assaults, arson, and fatal hit-and-runs. In this episode, Kari explains how a dyed blue hair and some carpet helped convict Perth's female thrill kill pair. Kari also tells host Kathryn Fox about an initiative she pioneered with the WA Police, that...

In March 1991, five violent offenders stole a prison garbage truck and smashed their way through the gates. The pursuit that followed left the country and those watching live on Channel 7 stunned.  Shaun O'Gorman is one of Queensland's most experienced dog handlers. He worked in the K9 unit for much of his career, and became one of the state's most effective operators. Understand his career with host Brent Sanders, and learn about what goes into training police dogs and the cops that go with...

In 2000, a violent daylight attack on two children rocked the Netherlands. The fatal event set the stage for the wrongful arrest of an innocent man, and would later go on to radically change the Dutch legal system forever.  In this episode, host Kathryn Fox is joined by Rossanne de Roo, Forensic Advisor to the Dutch Courts, who reveals the shocking details of the bungled police investigation. Hear about the innovative role of forensic advisors, who close the gap between science and the law,...

A 40 hour long raid. This was Derrick McManus' day at work in May 1994. Shot 14 times in a mere 5 seconds, and bleeding out on the ground for 3 hours.  Derrick is a 40-year veteran of the South Australia Police. After joining the force in 1976, he moved up the ranks and was eventually selected for the exclusive STAR Group, an elite tactical special operations unit that took on some of the state's most intense cases.  In this episode, Derrick tells host, Brent Sanders, how an arrest warrant...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...