What the Forensics

This episode we're discussing the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. This case is different because she lives and is able to tell her story and spread awareness so people can heal from traumatic events like what she experienced. Even though this episode is a shorter one, we think you will still enjoy it. Interested in learning more about when WTF releases new episodes, contests, and more? Make sure to...

This is one of those episodes where just when you think it can't get worse, it does. Nicole shares the story of Gisèle Pelicot who was unknowingly drugged and sexually assaulted by her husband and 72 other men for a decade. This case highlights the horrors that women of all ages can experience at the hands of men, it can be very hard to hear so please look after yourself while listening. Intereste...

This week we're discussing the case of Cyntoia Brown, a 16 year old girl sentenced to life in prison after killing the man she was pimped out to. Listen in to learn more about this heartbreaking case. We also make sure to talk about what sex trafficking is and what it looks like so more people know what to look out for as it is more common than we think. Interested in learning more about when WTF...

This week we're discussing the urban legend Cropsey and the real life manifestation of Cropsey in Andre Rand - which begs the question: who came first? Cropsey or Andre Rand? Interested in learning more about when WTF releases new episodes, contests, and more? Make sure to give us a follow on: Facebook: @whattheforensics Instagram: @whattheforenics Twitter: @WTForensicsPod YouTube: @whattheforensi...

For this episode we're discussing the heartbreaking case of Andrea Yates. She was a young mother who drowned her five children during an episode of postpartum psychosis. Nicole does an amazing job educating us on the nuance of this case and how tough postpartum can be for mothers. This topic was very enlightening especially as the three of us do not have kids and we hope that you also learn someth...

For this episode we're discussing the death of Marlene Warren and the weird circumstances around it. She was killed in 1990 however it wasn't until 2017 when her killer was finally apprehended - or were they? Hair analysis played a substantial role in this case so we take time to discuss the good and bad of it. We would love to hear your thoughts on whether or not you think Sheila killed Marlene a...

What if a community’s love for chess, would unknowingly become a killer’s ploy for luring innocent people to their deaths? Unfortunately, for at least 48 people who frequented their local park to play chess at the public tables with their neighbours and community members, the game of chess played with a man named Alexander Pichushkin would be their last. In this episode we discuss what led to Pich...

This week we introduce our listeners to Bruce McArthur and the men he killed in The Village in Toronto. He was active from 2010-2017 but could've been caught much earlier. Nicole shares many of the astronomical mistakes made by the Toronto Police during their investigation(s) into the man who was killing gay men in Toronto. This episode is one you won't want to miss & we hope you learn somethi...

Join us as we discuss the horrific events of November 13, 2022 when four University of Idaho students were killed. This case is especially scary as there appears to be no connection between the killer and the people he killed. Tune in to learn what makes this case so intriguing. Interested in learning more about when WTF releases new episodes, contests, and more? Make sure to give us a follow on:...

We stray a little from our usual content with this episode and explore the topic of Tuberculosis. Rebecca did a deep dive into all things tuberculosis after reading John Greens book "Everything is Tuberculosis" and shares what she learned. While this episode isn't forensic focused it sure is interesting and like the title says, everything really is tuberculosis. From Sanitoriums, cowboy hats, and...

This week we're discussing another Canadian case that took place in the Calgary area in 2014. If you're Albertan you will definitely remember this case and if you're not we hope you learn some thing new. It involves missing grandparents and 5 year old, a patent feud from the early 2000s, and dumb luck. Interested in learning more about when WTF releases new episodes, contests, and more? Make sure...

**We would like to state that we got the information about Ed being denied being a cop wrong. He was not allowed to be a cop due to his criminal record and previous stay in a psychiatric hospital. And it was Ed who told people that he was denied due to his height. For this episode we're discussing the upbringing and crimes of Ed Kemper in the sense of Nature vs. Nurture. This topic brings up many...

This case took the world by storm in 1996 and we're still looking for answers in 2025, almost 30 years later. On Boxing Day 1996, 6 year old JonBenet Ramsey was reported missing. Later that day, she was found deceased by her father. Investigators still do not know who killed her, as of recording, but they do have some theories. We explore some of those theories in this episode and if you would lik...

This week we are joined by ex-animal cruelty officer, Ellie Hayes. For her privacy we did not record video and changed her name, please respect this privacy and don't go out of your way to try and find her. Thank you :) This episode is definitely heavier since we are discussing saving heavily abused animals. Ellie educates us on the intricacies of what it takes to be an animal cruelty officer and...

In this episode we discuss the Happy Face Killer Keith Jesperson and his horrific crimes. This case is really strange because there were two random individuals who claimed that they killed one of his victims but actually had zero relation to him or the victim. Weird, right?! And you'll notice that in the thumbnail there are photos of 2 of his victims, one who recently was identified and the other...

In this episode we discuss the disappearance and murder of Laci & her unborn son Conner Peterson. This case is especially heartbreaking because it involves the death of a 8-month pregnant mother and her spouse is the most likely suspect. It's wild that there is no physical evidence connecting Laci's husband to her murder and him & his family, to this day, proclaim his innocence. Listen if...

For this episode we discuss Sharon Kinne and her interesting life. She has to be one of the luckiest criminals we've ever covered, only getting caught after she died and an anonymous person came forward with her story. She's killed an unknown number of people, most of them being her spouses or affair partners, so she really wasn't a lovely lady. Her known crimes span the USA, Mexico, and Canada.&n...

This episode we discuss the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001. We go through some of the events that occurred on each of the four flights and some of the changes as a result of what happened. We recognize that this is a heavy topic so listen with care. Interested in learning more about when WTF releases new episodes, contests, and more? Make sure to give us a follow on: Facebook: @what...

This episode takes us to the very east coast of Canada in St. Anthony, Newfoundland. Jennifer Hillier-Penney disappeared on November 30, 2016, seven years later her husband is arrested for her murder. To date, her body has not been found and the trial is set to begin April 2026, almost 10 years after her initial disappearance. There's not much known yet in this case but we're going to follow along...

This episode will make you say WTF? We meet two teenage girls from small town Ontario who plot to kill their mom. "Sandra" and "Beth" spend a few months workshopping all the ways to get away with killing their mother before eventually succeeding. They then confess to all of their friends and acquaintances for over a year about this murder before one of their friends finally goes to the police. One...

Extremely wicked, shockingly evil and vile are words we've all heard describe Ted Bundy. This episode we discuss Ted Bundy's heinous crimes and the lives of his victims before they were murdered. His killing spree supposedly began in January 1974 and went until February 1978 when he was finally apprehended. We discuss his escapes from jail (yes, escapes plural), his trials (yes, trials plural), an...

This week we talk all about CIA Black Sites. Rebecca does an amazing job on educating us on what is classified as a black site and the types of atrocities that are going on in them. She tells us stories about people who have survived them and were found not guilty for whichever crime they were brought there for. If you've ever wanted to know more about CIA activity in places similar to Guantanamo...

That's suspicious.... This episode we discuss the Oakville Blobs, Bigfoot, and the Dyatlov Pass incident. These three topics create an episode you don't want to miss!! Oh! And it's also our 100th episode!! Thank you so much for your continued support. We wouldn't be here without you!! Here's to at least 100 more ❤️ On August 7, 1994, Oakville, Washington experienced some weird gelatinous rain. The...

Join us in this episode as we discuss the horrific death of 14 year old Reena Virk. This case takes place in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada in 1997 and all of the perpetrators were between the ages of 14-16. This case will pull at your heartstrings because what could possibly cause this group of teens to beat another teen to death?! If you want to know more about the case that inspired the boo...

In this episode we discuss the conditions that led up to the Attica uprising as well as the reforms that resulted from it. It's important that we learn from this disaster as the conditions that these prisoners were living in should never be repeated. Prison riots are scary but this one needed to happen because these prisoners were being deprived of so many of their basic rights. Join us as we talk...