Crime Insiders

When former Queensland Police Setective Keith Banks joined the force, he thought he was signing up to fight crime, not work alongside it. In this episode of Crime Insiders Detectives, Keith takes host Brent Sanders inside the world of outlaw motorcycle gangs, where power, loyalty and fear ruled the streets. But the real danger, he says, was within the Queensland Police itself. During the era of the infamous “Rat Pack,” corruption ran deep, and it took the Fitzgerald Inquiry to finally drag it into the light. Keith reveals what it was like leading the bikie intelligence unit during Queensland’s most corrupt chapter of policing, the price he paid for speaking out, and how the trauma of policing left him with PTSD.  If this episode raised any issues for you, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever heard of the Australian cult The Family...? It was led by a woman named Anne Hamilton-Byrne. How did she control her followers? How did the police eventually catch her? And what happened to the dozens of children that were in the 'care' of The Family. Lex de Man investigated The Family for more than four years, and helped rescue dozens of children from the abuse of Anne Hamilton-Byrne and her followers. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Lex de Man walks host Brent Sanders through the case in exclusive detail, and explains how he and the Victorian Police were able to arrest and charge Anne Hamilton-Byrne. This episode contains references to the abuse of children. If it affected you, the number for LifeLine is 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In the early 1990s, former New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange found himself at the center of a defamation storm in Australia. The ABC re-broadcast allegations suggesting he acted improperly while in office. Lange sued, sparking a legal battle that reached the High Court and tested the limits of free political communication under the Constitution. Lange v ABC set a landmark precedent: political speech is protected, but not at the expense of personal reputation. In this episode, we unpack the courtroom drama, the judgment, and the enduring impact on media, politics, and the law in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The body of 27-year-old mother of two, Samantha Bodsworth, was found in Noosa, surrounded by wattle trees.  The killer thinks it’s the perfect crime, but what they underestimated was the power of the tiny, silent witnesses clinging to almost everything they touched – pollen. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Forensics, former host Kathryn Fox talks to Dr Lynne Milne, the scientist at the forefront of forensic palynology.  We learn how, for the first time in an Australian criminal case, pollen helped unmask a murderer. This episode references men's violence against women. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au for online chat and video call services. The number for Life Line is 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Atkinson is a former Victorian police officer.  In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Andrew discusses his journey from general duties to the Technical Surveillance Unit and his deployments with the United Nations in Timor and Iraq. He candidly addresses the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on his life and career, emphasising the importance of mental health awareness and support for police veterans. Andrew reflects on the physical challenges he faced due to his service, including cancer and multiple surgeries, and highlights the need for open discussions about mental health in law enforcement. He advocates for the creation of supportive networks for current and former officers to help them navigate their experiences and challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A ship is wrecked off the coast of Western Australia. It’s cargo sank with it. Many of those on board perished in the tragedy. Who owns what remains on board the ship at the bottom of the Ocean? Back in the 1970s, one man decided to find out.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you be able to get away with lying? In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, expert lie detector Steve Van Aperen talks to former host Adam Shand about the clear give aways of liars, how certain criminals have tried to clear a lie detector test and some of the biggest murder cases that have been brought to justice through a simple line of deceptive questioning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special bonus episode of Crime Insiders, we go behind the scenes with our Forensics host, Liz Porter to find out what it was about forensics that lured her into her extraordinary career. Weekend Briefing host Antoinette Lattouf digs deep with Liz about how forensics is not what you see on television and how and why Liz came to be a forensics author and podcast host.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A murder, a conviction and a twenty-year fight to clear your name. This is the story of Henry James Keogh who was convicted and served twenty years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. How did he finally receive justice and what can we learn from the botched forensic procedures that led to his wrongful convictionSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More Aussies have tattoos than ever before; 1 in 5 of us have at least 1 tattoo. That number is growing. 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. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Forensics, former host Kathryn Fox talks to Karen 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Professor Paul Bleakley is a Gold Coast-born academic based in Kentucky in the United States. He’s an expert on child abuse and investigative developments.  In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Paul talks us through Queensland’s Strike Force Argos.  He also tells host Brent Sanders about the Mr Big operation, the sting that caught Daniel Morcombe's killer, made famous by the TV series The Stranger.  We discuss how it happened, the key players AND whether or not it’s legitimate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Police employee Curtis Cheng was shot dead outside Police Headquarters in Parramatta, Sydney, 10 years ago this week. The gunman was a 15-year-old boy radicalised by religious extremists. In this episode of Crime Insiders Judgements, uncover how a teenager came to be wielding a pistol on a quiet Friday afternoon, and the important role of community leaders in responding to growing concerns about extremism.  This episode contains descriptions of violent crime. If you need assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sydney standover man Tony Hines' body was found strewn against a cliff face in Maroubra in 2003. How did police begin their investigation, and what contributed to the eventual outcome of the case? Former NSW Deputy Police Commissioner Dave Owens is one of the state's most respected officers, and has seen some of NSW's most infamous criminal operations unfold. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders Detectives, host Brent Sanders unpacks Dave's illustrious career, and gains an understanding of how Dave took on the notorious Bra Boys gang.  This episode contains descriptions of violent crime. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five bodies. Three generations. One room. Zero answers.  In 2008, a luxury home in California’s Orange County became the site of an unimaginable discovery. Inside were the decomposed bodies of five family members, spanning three generations. But there was no note, no clear motive, and no sign of struggle. Outwardly, the family seemed perfectly normal. In this episode of Crime Insiders Forensics, crime scene investigator Kimberlee Guluzian takes host Liz Porter inside the house where silence still echoes, and reveals what she saw, examined, and felt as she searched for answers in one of Orange County’s most haunting mysteries. This episode contains descriptions of suicide and violent crime. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1990s, young women began vanishing from Perth’s wealthy suburb of Claremont. The disappearances sparked fear across the city, and launched Australia’s longest-running homicide investigation. For nearly two decades, the Claremont Serial Killer remained a mystery. Then, advances in DNA technology cracked the case wide open. In this episode of Crime Insiders Judgements, we go into the courtroom to hear the judge's determination that saw Bradley Robert Edwards convicted of two murders, but acquitted of the third. This episode contains descriptions of men's violence against women. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A merciless serial killer terrorised women in the United Kingdom with a spate of brutal attacks, leaving police and forensic experts stumped. Now, almost 50 years later, forensics has learned, and built more advanced technologies that could've helped catch the killer sooner, and potentially saved lives. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders Forensics, former host Kathryn Fox sits down with Dr Marie Morelato to understand how forensics has evolved from this case, and to unpack the current strategies being employed to catch criminals and save lives. This episode contains references to sexual violence against women and children. If you or someone you know needs help, dial 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1986, a car bomb ripped through Melbourne’s Russell Street Police Headquarters, killing one and injuring 21. It was Australia’s first taste of domestic terrorism, a shocking ‘revenge attack’ that turned the heart of the city into a war zone. Among the injured was then-21-year-old Constable Debra Richardson.  Deb spent more than 3 decades in fear of what would happen when the perpetrator, Craig Minogue, was released. So much so, that in 2018, she successfully lobbied the State Government to keep him in jail. In this episode of Crime Insiders Detectives, Deb shares her harrowing memories of the bombing with host Brent Sanders and takes us inside her fight to keep Minogue behind bars. This episode contains descriptions of violent crime and mental health. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1992, the High Court handed down a ruling that shattered centuries of denial. Eddie Mabo’s fight for recognition overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius and forever changed Australia’s relationship with its First Peoples. This landmark decision not only rewrote the nation’s story but also paved the way for the Native Title Act, reshaping law, land, and history. In this episode of Crime Insiders Judgements, we’ll explore the journey of Eddie Mabo, the High Court battle, and its legacy. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised that this episode contains the names of people who have passed away.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In March 1991, five violent offenders stole a prison garbage truck and smashed their way through the gates of Brisbane’s notorious Boggo Road Gaol. 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 police dog handlers. He worked in the K9 unit for much of his career, and became one of the state's most effective operators. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, host Brent Sanders learns what it takes to train police dogs and the police that go with them.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2006, underworld figure Lee Patrick Torney vanished without a trace. Nearly a year later, forensic anthropologist Dr. Soren Blau was lowered into an abandoned mineshaft outside the old gold-mining township of Chewton, near Castlemaine, Victoria. Soren pieced together the secret clues hidden on the surface of bones and what they showed about injuries and the circumstances of death. Soren also revisits another landmark case that reshaped forensic science, with the first ever exhumation of a murder suspect in the United Kingdom. Host Liz Porter sits down with Soren to find out how her pioneering use of familial DNA helped unmask a serial killer.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2021, a neatly dressed man in his 60s walks into a Sydney Police Station. He looks like a regular guy. But police are stunned - this isn’t just any man. It’s Darko Desic. A fugitive who escaped from Grafton Prison with a hacksaw and bolt cutters three decades earlier. A man who was a prolific weed grower. A man who lived in hiding for 30 years - right under the noses of the police.  How did he do it? How did he evade capture for so long? And why, after all that time, did he finally give himself up?  That’s what journalist Tim Elliot set out to uncover in the latest season of LiSTNR’s documentary series, Secrets We Keep. If you’re hooked and want more, click here to go straight to episode 2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people vanish without a trace from Logan, south of Brisbane in Queensland.  They hadn’t been seen in days. Their phones rang out. Their social media...silent.  Something had happened, but no one could possibly have predicted what was about to unfold… This episode contains references to violent crime. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took 37 years, a failed murder trial, and an Australian mathematician to finally prosecute one of Scotland's most infamous serial killers. Professor David Balding is a pioneer in the field of mathematical computational genetics. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders Forensics, former host Kathryn Fox learns how David uses tools like probability to calculate the likelihood of DNA belonging to offenders, victims, and crime scenes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The courtroom drama that gripped Australia has finally reached its conclusion. Erin Patterson, the woman at the centre of the nation’s most infamous murder case in recent history, has been sentenced to life for three counts of murder.   Justice Beale did not hold back in his scathing remarks, saying Erin had zero remorse, chilling premeditation, and victims left across generations.  In this special bonus episode from The Briefing podcast, criminologist Xanthe Mallett joins Natarsha Belling to unpack the sentence, the judge’s remarks, and the question that still lingers: why did Erin do it? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Peter Tickner is a seasoned auditor with over 40 years of experience across the NHS, central government and police.  Peter became Head of Internal Audit of Her Majesty’s Treasury in 1988. In 1995 Peter left to become Director of Internal Audit for the Met Police, a post he held until early retirement in 2009, when he set up his own consultancy and fraud investigation business. Host Brent Sanders sits down with Peter to discuss his role in high-profile investigations and the challenges of maintaining integrity in the face of institutional resistance. From the intricacies of the Leveson Inquiry to the unexpected twists in his career, Peter's insights offer a rare glimpse into the world of forensic auditing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A stolen car, a drunken joyride, and a woman left with injuries so severe, she’ll live with them for the rest of her life. What happens when a crime becomes a civil lawsuit?  When the thief becomes the victim and the driver becomes the one left holding the legal wheel? Miller v Miller is one of Australia's most significant legal challenges, determining if someone is still involved in the committing of a crime if they actively pursue leaving the criminal enterprise.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1997, two young girls from Bega in regional New South Wales were kidnapped, raped and murdered.  In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, former host Adam Shand talks with former NSW Detective Sergeant Mark Winterflood to sift through the details and process of receiving the first notifications of the missing girls.  He explains the hard reality of not pursuing clues and following them to the end, how important it was to maintain a good relationship with the perpetrator and having to deliver the hard news to the parents. ****A warning – this case details the heinous crime of the Bega school girls, and involves abduction, violence, rape and murder****See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aged just 13, Thomas Carrick was placed under covert surveillance by the Australian Federal Police and lured into online conversations with them, posing as fake ISIS operatives. Ultimately, he was charged with terrorism offences. The most powerful intelligence agencies in the country knew Thomas had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, and lived with an intellectual disability. Yet undercover operatives continued to engage with him in what a judge later described as ‘grooming’ for terrorist activities. But was Thomas ever truly dangerous… or simply a vulnerable boy, lost in a make-believe world crafted by highly trained police? In this episode, counter-terrorism expert Peta Lowe takes us inside the Thomas Carrick case, and reveals what it tells us about the rising threat of youth radicalisation in Australia. You can also hear Peta in Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor. This episode references extremist ideology and violent crime. If you need assistance, contact LifeLine on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A woman wakes to a tragic accident on her rural Queensland property. She’s told one of her friends has fallen into a woodchipper. He was clearing trees with two other men at the time, but police soon suspect his death was no mishap and a murder investigation commences. They want to find the people responsible, and after the news goes public, members of the community share some theories with the police. Investigative journalist Tara Cassidy has been covering this case for years, and speaks to those who knew the victim, and potential perpetrators.  All people convicted of murder related to this case have lodged their intentions to appeal the outcomes. At the point of publishing this podcast those appeals have not progressed further.  Go straight to episode two here and binge the rest of the series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Triple murderer Sef Gonzales has been granted the right to appeal against his life sentence. Gonzales was just 23 when he murdered his parents and sister over 20 years ago.  Sef has always maintained his innocence. Today, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal granted him the right to appeal because Gonzales successfully argued that he had lived with PTSD after being sexually abused as a child. Former Crime Insiders Forensics host, Kathryn Fox, spoke about Gonzales with forensic child psychiatrist, Dr John Kasinathan.  We’ve put it back in your feed to provide some background and insight into Gonzales and his horrific crimes….See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twenty years ago this year, Michael Long set fire to the Palace Backpackers hostel in the regional Queensland town of Childers. Fifteen people were killed, nine men and six women. Long inititally admitted to the crimes, but later retracted his confession. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgement we go into his trial and also the Coroner's Inquiry to learn what happened on that fateful night twenty years ago, and if Long is likely to get parole later this year.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 fatalities and mass disasters.  In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders | Forensics, former host Kathryn Fox discovers how forensic odontology is helping to solve and prevent crime in Australia.  Coming up…Richard’s first case and how he knew he’d made the right decision in moving from dentistry to odontology… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former QLD Detective Inspector Mal Gundry was head of the Queensland Police Criminal Investigation Bureau at Indooroopilly in Brisbane. He was integral part of the investigation into Sean Sargent, a 24-year-old Australian Army lieutenant, who disappeared in the early hours of March 20, 1999, after attending a party in St Lucia, Brisbane. Originally from Mackay, Queensland, Sargent was stationed at Enoggera Barracks and had a promising military career. His sudden disappearance prompted extensive investigations and speculation. Mal Gundry was also head of the CIB branch that led the investigation into the murder of Allison Baden Clay, that led to the arrest of her husband, Gerard Baden Clay.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and her daughter Khandalyce Pearce were tragically murdered in 2008 in a case that shocked Australia. Their deaths remained unsolved for several years, with their identities and the circumstances of their deaths only being uncovered in 2015. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgement we learn how police linked the two deaths and how they tracked down the man responsible. **A WARNING…..THIS PODCAST CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF EVENTS AND SITUATIONS THAT SOME LISTENERS MAY FIND DISTURBING OR DISTRESSING. PLEASE LISTEN WITH CARE**See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A crime without a motive. A detective who investigated the unthinkable. On September 2nd, 2001, a father murdered his three children, Jackson (6), Taylah (11 months), and Mikaylah (11 weeks). To this day, his motive remains unknown.  Former Detective Carla Tomadini was on the frontline of the investigation. At the same time, she had two young children of her own. Carla spent nearly two decades in the force before becoming a solicitor with the Director of Public Prosecutions. Hear about that case and the impact it had on Carla, as she sat down with host Brent Sanders on this episode of Crime Insiders | REWIND. This content contains references to domestic violence and violence against children. Help is always available, dial 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If this content affected you, the number for Lifeline is 131 114.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporting a sexual assault is deeply challenging in any context, so what happens when you’re in a war-torn region, where infrastructure has crumbled, and justice systems are non-existent? Associate Professor David Wells retired as Victoria's top forensic physician in 2013. Since then, his work has taken him to some of the world's most volatile places, including Gaza, the West Bank, and other corners of the globe where conflict has gutted hospitals and justice systems alike. There, he's helped build systems to support survivors of sexual violence, often under near impossible conditions. In this episode, David takes us to the front lines of forensic medicine in a conflict zone, and reflects on the challenge of treating survivors where hospitals barely exist, and navigating the cultural, legal and ethical landmines that surround violence in war. What does it take to offer care when the world is falling apart? And what role can forensic medicine play, not just in accountability, but in healing? If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the dead of night, Friday October 15, 2021, on the rugged coastline of Western Australia, four-year old Cleo Smith is abducted from a tent at a campsite. Her disappearance sparked a massive police search and captured the nation’s attention with ‘round the clock media coverage. The child was found 18 days later in what was one of Australia’s most successful police operations. Who abducted her….and why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s National Science Week….Australia’s annual celebration of science and technology. In this episode of Crime Insiders Rewind, we re-visit three episodes of our Forensics series to learn how science helps us better understand how examining the human body contributes to solving crime or even someone being exonerated, and fibre and the role that fibre plays in solving crimes. We begin with forensic anthropologist Penny McArdle to determine if pigs can actually destroy a body.  Then it’s Dr Micah Newland, the Deputy Director at the Australian Facility for Taphonomic Experimental Research to discuss what’s called time since death and finally we’re joined by distinguished Professor Claude Roux -a pivotal figure in Australian Forensic Science. He's the Director of the UTS Centre for Forensic Science and President of the International Association of Forensic Sciences.  Claude discusses a case from the mid-90s where fibre was critical in solving a murder…. ***Please be advised that this episode’s case studies may contain content that some listeners may find distressing. Listener discretion is advised***See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen Folbigg is front page of every newspaper and news website this morning after we learned the NSW government had paid her just $2million in compensation after she served twenty years in prison after being wrongfully jailed for the deaths of her four children. NSW Premier Chris Minns has said Ms Folbigg should sue his government if she wants more compensation.  Ms Folbigg told News Ltd the suggestion is a slap in the face. After her convictions were quashed in 2023, 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?  In 2021, Professor Stephen Cordner was one of 90 eminent scientists who signed a groundbreaking petition calling for the immediate pardon and release of Kathleen Folbigg. Let’s revisit our interview with Professor Cordner to try to understand the forensics behind Kathleen's final and successful bid for freedom, and unpack why her case was such a gross miscarriage of justice in the first place.  If this content raised issues for you, call Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 807.  Red Nose provides specialised bereavement support free of charge to any person affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or child during pregnancy, birth, infancy or childhood.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Brent Sanders speaks with former NSW Police officer Justyn Backhouse, who spent 25 years on the front lines of law enforcement. From high-speed pursuits to complex aerial rescues, Justin’s career spanned some of the most intense and demanding roles in policing. But behind the action was a hidden cost. Diagnosed with PTSD in 2021, Justin turned to writing to process his experiences. The result is Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis – The Price of Service, a powerful memoir that reveals the unseen toll of a life spent in uniform. This episode makes mention of self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs someone to speak to, call LifeLine on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Here's all the evidence the jury in the mushroom triple murder trial wasn't allowed to hear. In this special episode, The Briefing's host Tara Cassidy joins us to reveal allegations that murderer Erin Patterson had tried to poison and kill her estranged ex-husband Simon multiple times. Until today, this information has been under a strict non-publication order by the Victorian Supreme Court. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday January 20, 2017 in Melbourne’s CBD. Bustling Bourke Street became the scene of unspeakable horror. Six people were killed, 27 others suffered horrific injuries when James Gargasoulas – high on drugs – deliberately drove his car through a crowd of shoppers. It was one of the worst examples of mass murder in Australian history. A warning: this episode contains details that may be distressing to some listeners.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tragedy that rocked Melbourne in the late 80s, and one that left the nation questioning its own attitude towards guns and violence.  Former Commissioner of Victoria Police Kel Glare was just a few months away from getting the top job when an armed gunman killed seven and injured 19 people in Melbourne's inner North. It's a case that stood out to Kel for its violence and senselessness, and one that shook him him despite him being as experienced as he was.  Hear about that case, and others as Kel sat down with host Brent Sanders in this episode of Crime Insiders | Rewind  This content contains references to mens violence against women and child sexual abuse. Help is always available, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. If this content affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Wells was the Victoria Police Surgeon during one of Australia’s most disturbing unsolved crime sprees - the abductions and assaults of three young girls, and the suspected murder of a fourth, by the predator known only as Mr Cruel. In this powerful and rare interview, Associate Professor Wells shares what it was like to examine the victims, the moment he returned a girl her parents believed was dead, and the vital evidence he uncovered that could still help unmask the man behind the mask. This episode contains descriptions of child sex abuse, sexual assault, self-harm and violent crime.  If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In July 1995, sex worker Grace Heathcote was lured to a Cairns motel under the guise of friendship — but what unfolded was a brutal murder. Her body was discovered in a motel room with injuries so severe they shocked experienced forensic pathologists. Within days, two women — Kerry Catherine Lowrie and Kerri-Leah Michelle Ross — were identified as persons of interest. Both were ultimately charged with murder. Their first trial resulted in convictions, but years later, their appeals were heard anew by the Queensland Court of Appeal. Each woman sought to shift blame to the other. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever watched a movie where police exhume a body?  Why does it happen? And what do forensics learn by doing it? Dr Jo Duflou 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. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders with former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox, Dr Duflou talks about exhuming bodies and although he’s done only a handful, the ones he has done, have been fascinating.   If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Raymond spent almost 30 years as a QLD Police dog handler.  He caught killers, found people reported missing and saved the lives of people who had attempted self harm. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders sits down with David to learn what it's like to spend your life beside a working police dog.  It's a fascinating insight into what being a dog handler entails, and what the future holds once your dog is ready to retire. This episode contains mention of self harm - if you or anyone you know needs to speak to someone, call LifeLine on 13 11 14.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2012, Brisbane father and real estate agent Gerard Baden-Clay reported his wife missing. Ten days later, Allison Baden-Clay’s body was found beneath a bridge, and suspicion turned to her husband. This is a story of betrayal, an outstanding forensic investigation and a series of red flags that didn’t align with the story Gerard Baden-Clay was telling police and the public. His clandestine affair and financial difficulties led him to commit an unspeakable crime - murdering his own wife. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114 or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This Rewind episode tells the story 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 Australia's most vicious, and high profile outlaw motorcycle gangs. Craig's career takes some incredible turns - including a high profile murder case in Yamba which shocked almost all of the NSW police department, and several high intensity bikie operations which ended Craig's career, and almost his life.  Some of the stories you’ll hear from Craig today are just extraordinary. His honesty, candour and emotional vulnerability goes beyond what we expect from our guests, it shows the type of character he is now, and was in the force. Unpack it all with host Brent Sanders, and understand the ups and downs of policing in NSW and Australia as a whole.  If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.