Crime Insiders

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 in...

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...

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...

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 unde...

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 h...

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 commu...

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 move...

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 200...

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...

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 hig...

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 Austral...

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 Iv...

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 Inspec...

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 fat...

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 wa...

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 col...

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...

Comedian Eurydice Dixon and student Aya Maasarwe were both victims of horrific crimes. The first responding forensic expert to those scenes was Jo Glengarry. She facilitated the investigation and performed the forensic tasks which contributed to convictions.  Understand Professor Glengarry's process when being a first responding forensic expert to violent and confronting scenes, and understand the...

It's more common than you think - a missing persons report is made every 18 minutes in Australia, and over 2,600 people are missing right now.  Val Smith is a 35 year veteran of Victoria Police and an expert in the elusive field of missing persons. Throughout his time in the force he created a set of rules; engagement techniques that should be used if your loved one is lost or unaccounted for. Aft...

A first hand account of how in a mass shooting, the preservation and storing of bodies is a horrific, but necessary process. It's crucial to ensure no evidence is lost and that they remain in a dignified and respectful state.  Jodie Leditschke is the Manager of Forensic Technical Services at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - essentially meaning that she manages the mortuary. So she's...

A never before heard insight into centre of the siege. From communicating with snipers across the scene, to briefing the Prime Minister. But it's not all as it seems. The public was told a different story.  Danny is a former NSW Police Officer who was a pivotal part of three of Sydney's most high profile criminal investigations. The Bilal Skaf case, also known as the Sydney Gang Rapes saw Danny as...

Digging up a body is rare, and it's a strange and complex process. But why does it happen? And what do forensics learn by doing it? Dr Jo Dufluo is a privately practicing forensic pathologist. He's worked across a range of forensic fields and has performed thousands of autopsies, examinations and post mortem analyses. Throughout his career, he's undertaken only a few exhumations - which is the pro...

Sandra Nicholson was at the heart of chaos. Whilst Melbourne was under siege during the Gangland Wars, and bushfires wreaked havoc across Victoria, those at the top of Vic Pol were forced to front the media and take responsibility for the intensity surrounding the city. Sandra Nicholson was Assistant Commissioner at Victoria Police for 5 years, and steered the ship with Commissioner Christine Nixo...

A body found wrapped in a carpet, and a species of fly that verified an alibi. The bugs and insects that end up on bodies contribute to a lot more than just decomposition, they can act as evidence for conviction or help prove innocence of a suspect.  Dr Paola Magni is a forensic entomologist is considered the global face of the specialist forensic science that uses insects and other small creature...

What toll does it take on a detective to investigate a missing persons case for 40 years? What do you tell the family? When do you stop looking, if ever?  David Plumpton is an old school detective. A Tasmanian local, he joined the force because he wanted to make a difference. In his 40+ year career, he did much more than that. Unpack his career with host Brent Sanders, and hear how a double murder...