Crime Insiders

When a husband died after a long illness, and under suspicious circumstances, it was this episode's guest, Forensic Chemist Maggie Baron, who was tasked with searching for traces of poison with a suspected killer looking over her shoulder. All before her 25th birthday, Maggie had held the hands of killers, armed robbers, and violent offenders…not in comfort, but in the name of science. In this episode, Maggie reveals to host Liz Porter what it’s like to be alone in a room with someone who’s just ended another person's life, and unpacks an arsenic poisoning investigation that reads more like fiction than fact. This episode contains descriptions of family violence and suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT. org.au. In an emergency, call 000.  Men who are concerned about their own behaviour can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2019, 51 people were murdered at two mosques in Christchurch. The world was told it was the work of a lone wolf. But what if he wasn’t alone? In this episode of Crime Insiders, we’re bringing you an important bonus episode - the untold story of Australia’s worst terrorist. It’s from investigative journalist Joey Watson and the LiSTNR Secrets We Keep documentary team. In Secrets we Keep: Lone Actor, Joey traces the footsteps of the Christchurch terrorist - from the darkest corners of the internet, all the way to the battle-scarred landscapes of Eastern Europe, to uncover what really led to one of the deadliest attacks in modern history. This is a story about radicalisation, conspiracy, and the growing global threat of right-wing extremism. Because to stop it from happening again, we need to understand how it happened in the first place. In this episode of Crime Insiders, we're giving you episode 1 as a bonus, but if you’re hooked and want more, you can keep listening here: https://linktr.ee/secretswekeeppodcast. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Does a venue owe you a duty of care if you've had too much to drink? In Cole v South Tweed Rugby League Football Club, the High Court of Australia considered whether a hotel owed a duty of care to a visibly intoxicated patron. Rosellie Cole had been drinking at the Rugby Club and became severely intoxicated. Staff offered her a lift home, which she declined. Later, after leaving the premises, she was struck by a car while walking along the highway. Cole sued the club for negligence, arguing that it should not have served her so much alcohol and should have taken steps to prevent her from leaving while drunk. The trial court initially found in her favour, awarding damages, but this was overturned on appeal. The High Court held that while licensed venues must take reasonable steps to avoid harm, adults also bear personal responsibility. The majority ruled the club was not liable, as it had taken reasonable steps, including offering her a lift home.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Heartbreaking was the only word that could be used to describe the death of a 10-month-old baby in Perth. What was less clear cut is the question that was posed to the judge - was the baby boy’s death an accident, or was he murdered by his father? Judith Fordham has been lauded as one of Western Australia’s most high-profile criminal lawyers, but her dual expertise in law and forensics sets her apart from her colleagues. In this episode with former Crime Insider Forensics host, Kathryn Fox, hear about one of the most divisive areas in both forensic science and the law - "shaken baby syndrome".  This episode references child abuse and infant loss. 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. For support relating to infant loss, contact Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 307 or visit rednosegriefandloss.org.au. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Terry Goldsworthy is a criminologist, former detective inspector, academic, and one of Australia's most respected voices on criminal behaviour. With over two decades in law enforcement and a deep academic grounding in forensic criminology, Dr Goldsworthy brings a rare dual lens to the world of crime — blending frontline experience with sharp, evidence-based insight. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders takes a deep dive on a gruesome steelyard and we learn if evil is always a factor playing in the mind of criminals. 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.

Dr. Jayant Patel, dubbed "Dr. Death," was a U.S.-trained surgeon who worked at Bundaberg Base Hospital in Queensland, Australia, from 2003 to 2005. During his tenure, he performed approximately 1,000 surgeries, many of which were marred by negligence, leading to numerous patient injuries and deaths. In 2010, Patel was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and one of grievous bodily harm, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. He appealed all the way to the High Court and the court upheld his appeal.   He later pleaded guilty to fraud charges and was released from prison. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements we take a deep dive into the case against Patel, the flaws in the prosecution's case and how he managed to only spend two years behind bars.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  For much of his life, violent crime was on his door step, and it was up to him to take it on - whilst balancing, life, family and more. In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders we begin with a horrific double murder in the Blue Mountains…. If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the winter of 1988, two gold prospectors were scouring the picturesque Mount Firebrace in Victoria… when their search unearthed something far more chilling than treasure. Inside a disused mine shaft, they found a decomposed, mummified, headless body.  For local police and Melbourne’s elite homicide squad, it was a mystery frozen in time. Could forensics bring the truth to light? That's what today’s guest, forensic pathologist Professor David Ranson, set out to uncover. This episode contains graphic descriptions of crime scenes and violent crime. If you need support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An aspiring rapper, battling drug addiction raided a home in inner Sydney in August 2018. Armed with a blank-firing pistol and knuckledusters, 30-year-old Jett McKee broke into the home of Blake Davis, a 31-year-old actor and martial arts enthusiast, and Hannah Quinn, a 26-year-old former kindergarten teacher.   McKee fled after the robbery and was chased down….with Davis later striking him with a samurai sword killing him. The ensuing NSW Supreme Court trial, in late 2020, had to consider self-defense, excessive force, and what occurred after the robbery, culminating in a manslaughter conviction for Davis and an accessory conviction for Quinn. A warning: this episode includes mention of self harm.  If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, call LifeLine on 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of your family members could be missing, and your DNA could help find them.  Associate Professor Jodie Ward is the former Program Lead of the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons at the Australian Federal Police. Now completed, the program was funded by the Confiscated Assets Account, in a nationwide effort to find or identify people who are unaccounted for. In this episode, Jodie takes us through exactly what the program did and how it's helped track down and identify hundreds of missing Australians. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

12-year-old Terry Floyd disappeared from the Pyrenees Highway outside Avoca in June 1975. His brother Daryl has spent the last 50 years searching for him.  Daryl has teamed up with renowned Victorian detective Charlie Bezzina to help find his brother and to bring the man they believe was responsible for abducting and murdering Terry, to justice. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives Brent Sanders and Charlie Bezzina take a deep dive on the evidence Charlie has uncovered and why the alleged offender has never been charged.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team at Crime Insiders is really excited to bring you a new series on LiSTNR. You're going to love it. Secrets we Keep: Lone Actor is a deep dive on the worst terror attack carried about by an Australian. The Christchurch attack, where 51 people were tragically murdered.  Australia has never carried out an official investigation into who or what led the terrorist to violence. So those of us interested in and concerned by crimes like this, and importantly the victim community in New Zealand, still have questions about how this attack happened.  Secrets we Keep: Lone Actor is a new investigative podcast series that tries to answer those questions, and uncovers new theories and evidence on the Christchurch terrorist’s trajectory to violence. It’s called Secrets We Keep: Lone Actor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Truro Murders case is one of Australia's most chilling serial murder investigations.  It involves the deaths of seven young women in South Australia during the mid-1970s. The primary perpetrators were Christopher Robin Worrell and James William Miller, whose actions and subsequent trial have left a lasting impact on the Australian criminal landscape. Worrell died before being brought to justice, Miller was found guilty of six of the seven murders despite claiming he had nothing to do with the deaths of the women. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements, South Australia's Truro Murders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AFP and customs intercept hundreds of tonnes of narcotics every year. But, the techniques of criminals and smugglers are becoming more complex, and unfortunately, more effective.  Nigel Phair is a former Australian Federal Police Officer who took on a range of high profile drug importation cases. This saw him intercepting large quantities of drugs, investigating their origin and surveilling their eventual destination in Australia.  Understand this work and hear Nigel walk host Brent Sanders through how the police undertake these investigations and how things have changed over the years.  If this content affected you, the number for LifeLine is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ned Kelly was executed in 1880, yet he remains one of the most iconic and divisive figures in Australian history. For more than a century, a question has haunted historians, scientists, and the public alike: What happened to his remains? In this episode, we follow the high-stakes forensic investigation that set out to uncover the truth. Professor David Ranson from the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, takes host Liz Porter inside the two-year effort to reconstruct history from fragments of bone, historical news clippings, and long-forgotten medical records, eventually untangling fact from folklore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

68-year-old Allan Charles Gibson shot his wife at their Traralgon home in the early hours of April 14, 2016.  He then tried to take his own life, but failed. Police arrested Gibson and tried him for murder.  His defence team argued he was suffering from dementia and argued the court ought to take his mental condition into consideration. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements, we go into the courtoom to discover if the court believed Gibson's dementia was a contributing factor in the murder of his wife. A warning: this episode includes mention of self harm. If you need someone to talk to, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 he refuses to acknowledge car crashes as accidents, claiming there is always a reason.  Join former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks the work of Raphael, and uncovers just how he and other investigators come to their forensic conclusions.  If this content raised issues for you, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a child, Craig Doran dreamt of being a policeman. He was obsessed with Sherlock Holmes. Craig ended up working for Queensland Police for 22 years.   In this episode of Crime Insiders, Craig tells us about an investigation into a complex bank loan scam and how he and his team managed to keep the perpetrator in Australia to be convicted.  In the second half of this episode, Craig tells us about Comtrac - a company he founded - that uses AI-enhanced investigation management software to boost productivity by mapping exhibits to key offence elements and generating briefs of evidence. It's saving police hundreds of hours of desk time, enabling more officers to return to the streets. 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 quiet suburb. A brutal murder.  What happens when someone kills - but isn’t sane enough to be found guilty?  Marita Cunningham was charged with murdering 81-year-old May Richie in 2016.  A neighbour discovered May dead inside her apartment, her body covered in pillows and shopping bags. An autopsy found she’d died by asphyxiation and had been beaten with her own walking cane.  Marita was arrested trying to flee the scene.   Witnesses described Marita’s unsettling behaviour earlier that day, including outbursts in public, talking to herself, and showing up at her ex’s apartment uninvited.   The court had to decide whether Marita was guilty of murder – or not guilty by virtue of mental illness.  Should someone who kills, but genuinely doesn’t know reality from delusion, be found guilty of murder? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Siege.  In this episode hosted by Brent Sanders, Chris shares exclusive details about the Lindt Cafe Siege, and pulls back the curtain on Ironside. Hear how authorities infiltrated the underbelly of organised crime syndicates, seizing millions in dirty cash, blocking large importations of drugs and intercepting homicide plots. If this content affected you, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Bob Chappell vanished from his yacht in Hobart, suspicion quickly turned on his partner, Sue Neill-Fraser, an unassuming woman who soon found herself at the centre of one of Australia’s most controversial murder cases. But behind the headlines lies a deeper story - one of forensic failure, investigative tunnel vision, and a conviction that may never have happened if all the available avenues had been investigated. In this episode, former detective Colin McLaren unpacks the crucial DNA evidence, the overlooked clues on the yacht, and the questions raised by a mysterious yellow Ford. This is a story about how forensics should work, and what happens when it doesn’t. Note: Sue Neill-Fraser was found guilty by a Supreme Court jury; her appeal was dismissed, and a Coroner’s investigation, which reviewed all the available evidence, supported the findings of the criminal proceedings. Tasmania Police stand by the integrity and thoroughness of the investigation, and the efforts of the investigation team, including the forensic experts, and the prosecution of the case by the office of the DPP.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, rugby league was a code looking to expand nationally after the success of its premier competition in Sydney.  Clubs emerged in Brisbane, Newcastle, and the Gold Coast. Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation took the growth in the sport as an indication it ought to expand even further and plotted a coup, to take the running of the code out of the hands of the establishment - the Australian Rugby League. What followed was a war that ripped the sport apart with Murdoch on one side and the other, backed by another multi-millionaire media mogul, Kerry Packer.  It was mogul against mogul, club against club, and players against players. In this episode of Judgements we take a deep dive on how and why the war began - and how the game came back together to form what is now the National Rugby League.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Semen is the crack cocaine of the fly world, and while maggots love a corpse, flies feast on live human flesh and fluids. So, could a fly frame you for murder? And how do police differentiate fly 'artifacts' from human biological material at a crime scene? These are all things forensic biologist, Dr Annalisa Durdle has studied. Join former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox as Annalisa redefines what it means to be a 'fly on the wall'.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

2.7 million Australians aged 18 and over have experienced stalking. One in 5 women and over 1 in 15 men.   What are the warning signs, and what should you do if you or someone you know is being stalked? In this follow-up episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives Brent Sanders talks with Di McDonald, the founder of Stalking Awareness Day Australia - herself a victim of stalking - about what to do if you, a friend or a loved one is being stalked.  Di and Brent are also joined by former Victorian police officer Beck Norris to talk about police reponses to complaints and accusations.  Is enough being done to address the problem of stalking? 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Kalajzich was a big-time businessman in Manly, Sydney in the 1980s - a titan of the time. While he portrayed the role of a loving family man, behind the scenes he was plotting to murder his wife. Kalajzich commissioned a hitman to shoot his wife, Megan. The hitman had six attempts. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Judgements, we learn how and why Kalajzich killed his wife, and what the court heard were the motivations and clandestine plans to carry out the hit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, prompting him to make a critical decision that changed the course of his career. This episode contains descriptions of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for more information and confidential support. There are also references to pregnancy loss. Contact Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 307 for support for miscarriage, stillbirth, and newborn death. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 1994 bombing of the Adelaide National Crime Authority sent shockwaves across Australia. It was a brutal act that killed a police officer and seriously injured others, sparking one of the most daring undercover operations in our history. But this police sting had an unusual weapon - forensics. With red phosphorus linking the bombs and a drug manufacturing business run by a key suspect, and forensic experts involved in the operation, this was a rare moment where science went on the offensive. In this episode, host Liz Porter is joined by Colin McLaren, the cop who infiltrated the Australian Mafia, lived a double life, and brought down a group of organised crime kingpins from the inside. This episode contains graphic 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.

23-year-old Celeste Manno had her life brutally taken from her by a man who had relentlessly stalked her, despite Celeste going to great lengths to protect herself legally. Her killer only received a 36-year sentence. A punishment Celeste's family and many others believe is not nearly severe enough given the gravity of his crimes.  Visit justiceforceleste.com to learn more about Celeste's story and how you can support her family's fight for justice. This episode references violent crime and 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.

Stalking is disturbingly common, yet often misunderstood by wider society.  Professor Troy McEwan from the Swinburne University of Technology is a forensic psychologist specialising in understanding, assessing, and treating stalking behaviour. In this episode with former Crime Insiders Forensics host, Kathryn Fox, hear about the 5 different types of stalkers, and gain insights into their problematic behaviours.  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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Di McDonald was a victim of a stalker, who terrorised her and her family.  She finally re-claimed her life with the help of former Victorian police officer Rebecca Norris. In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders talks to Di about how she overcame the fear and torment of her stalker and why she calls Beck Norris, her 'guardian angel'. Di went on to establish Stalking Awareness Day Australia - May 24. 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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On August 3, 2011, Paul Douglas Peters, a 50-year-old Australian businessman, entered the Mosman home of 18-year-old Madeleine Pulver on Sydney’s affluent North Shore and strapped what appeared to be a bomb around her neck. The device, later revealed to be a hoax, was accompanied by an extortion note demanding money from her wealthy family. What followed was a 10-hour ordeal for Madeleine, an international manhunt, and a legal process that captivated the public and media alike.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2004, outside a pub, Australian Cricket legend David Hookes died. A manslaughter charge was laid, and a trial ensued. But no one was convicted, why? What were the processes that lead to the verdict, and how were the police involved?  As well, what Underbelly doesn't show you. An unprecedented look at the killing of Alphonse Gangitano and the chaos which proceeded it - and, the Frankston Serial Killer Paul Denyer, and how he was caught.  Charlie Bezzina is an unrelenting legend of Victorian Police - the man who helped catch Frankston Serial Killer Paul Denyer, and a key member of the team which fought against organised crime during the Melbourne Gangland wars of the 2000s. In his 35 plus year career, Bezzina has gone up against larger than life figures of the Australian crime world - but, in this chat with host Brent Sanders, understand the man behind the stories, and get an inside look into Bezzina and the world around him. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Erin Patterson has been charged with the murders of three relatives and the attempted murder of another; after allegedly serving up a beef Wellington dish laced with poisonous death cap mushrooms at a lunch at her home in 2023.   She’s pled not guilty to all charges.   In this special series of The Briefing, Holly Mitchell unpacks day 10 of the trial in under two minutes.  For daily updates on the Erin Patterson triple murder trial, follow The Briefing, new episodes drop every evening for the duration of the trial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Saturday, October 12th, 2002. A warm night in Bali’s bustling Kuta Beach. Bars packed with tourists, music pumping. Then - devastation. Two massive explosions rip through popular Paddy’s Bar and the Sari Club across the road.  202 lives were lost, 88 of them Australians.  In the wreckage, tiny clues told a story. Copper wires, fragments of tartan fabric, the surprising absence of a crater. Australian Federal Police Forensic chemist David Royds arrived at the scene just 48 hours later. Sifting through the devastation, he began working out what had happened and how it had happened —thereby uncovering essential information that would eventually lead to the arrest of the bombers. In this episode, he takes host Liz Porter inside the science of that investigation and reveals the lessons learned from it.  This episode contains descriptions of a mass casualty event. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fine Cotton Scandal of 1984 is a notorious event in Australian horse racing history, where a syndicate attempted to rig a race by substituting a slow horse with a faster one. The plan, led by John Patrick Gillespie, involved a series of desperate measures that ultimately failed, leading to a national scandal that exposed corruption in the racing industry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Police have a new Chief Commissioner - Mike Bush.  Mike is the former New Zealand Commissioner of Police and has had a decorated career. However, his time as a Detective and a lead investigator saw him take on some gruesome and confronting cases - a far stretch from the press conferences and media appearances as commissioner.  Last year, Mike joined Crime Insiders Detectives host, and fellow former NZ cop, Brent Sanders, to talk about some of the most memorable cases from his 40+ year career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox about an initiative she pioneered with the WA Police, that has so far assisted in over 150 sexual assault investigations. If you're in Australia, information and support for anyone affected by domestic, family, and sexual violence is available at 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nick Kaldas is an Australian law enforcement legend with a career spanning over 40 years. From undercover ops and hostage negotiations, to rebuilding Iraq’s police force post Saddam Hussein, Nick has seen it all.  In this episode of Crime Insiders Detectives, Nick shares jaw-dropping stories from the front lines with host Brent Sanders. He'll reveal the emotional toll of policing, the brutal reality of insurgency, and the silent crisis of veteran mental health.  This episode has descriptions of violent crime and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs assistance, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Diane Brimble boarded a cruise in 2002, no one imagined what would come next. This episode of Crime Insiders Judgements unpacks the disturbing case that shook Australia. What really happened that night at sea? And how did a mother’s death spark nationwide outrage and a call for change? Hear about the events leading up to Diane's death, the subsequent investigation, and the legal proceedings that followed.  This episode contains graphic descriptions of sexual assault, violent crime and men's violence against women. If you or anyone you know needs support, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A 40 hour long raid. Shot 14 times in a mere 5 seconds, and bleeding out on the ground for 3 hours. This was Derrick McManus' day at work in May 1994.  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 turned into what would become South Australia's largest siege, with the offender firing over 2500 rounds in 40 hours, and how he managed to survive against all odds. If this content affects you, the number for Lifeline is 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Document examiner Neil Holland has worked on documents related to investigations into alleged Nazi war criminals, accused killers and dodgy bookies, and resurrected the writing on a document found inside a corpse’s stomach. In 1985, when Neil was the head of the Victoria Police document examination branch, the National Gallery of Victoria made history - acquiring Pablo Picasso's The Weeping Woman. At $2 million, it was the most expensive artwork ever purchased by a gallery in Australia. Less than a year later, it was gone. Stolen in a daring heist that left police, the art world, and the media stunned. Eighteen days after the theft, Neil found himself in the back of a police van in the dead of night - cradling a brown paper package.  Inside? The missing Picasso, taken hostage by a group calling themselves the Australian Cultural Terrorists. In this episode, he’s here to tell host Liz Porter the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussie band Men at Work's most famous song is arguably Down Under. But what if it wasn't actually their song? This was the claim made by Larrikin Music, who are the copyright holders of the nursery rhyme Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree. In this episode of Crime Insiders Judgement, go inside the plagiarism battle that remains a cautionary tale in copyright law.  This episode references suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2014, flight MH17 was shot down, and 298 people died. A set of Australian experts were sent to investigate and assist. In the aftermath, victim identification is crucial in not only determining the identity of someone who has died, but also in the matter of a criminal investigation, the cause of death.  Professor David Ranson is a forensic consultant and the former Deputy Head of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. In 2014, David was one of the forensic experts sent to Ukraine to assist in the forensic management of the shooting down of MH17. In conversation with former Crime Insiders Forensics host, Kathryn Fox, understand the role that David played, and go into the detail of what an investigation of that size and political significance involves. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Ashwood was a young detective assigned to help investigate the murder of a neo-Nazi in Sydney. What Michael and his colleagues didn't know was that federal investigators had placed a listening device in the murderer's home. What they heard would make chilling evidence at the murderer's trial.   Michael was also involved in the disappearance of Tegan Lane, the child of Keli Lane, who was convicted and imprisoned for Tegan's murder, despite Tegan's body never being found.  This episode references child loss. For assistance, contact Red Nose Grief and Loss on 1300 308 307 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alan Bond is an Australian businessman known for his rise to fame and subsequent fall from grace. Celebrated for his role in Australia's 1983 America's Cup victory, his involvement in significant corporate fraud mars Bond's legacy, particularly the Bell Resources case, which became a defining moment in Australia's corporate history. This episode of Crime Insiders Judgements explores Bond's audacious business dealings, legal battles, and the implications of his actions on corporate governance in Australia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once an admired figure in NSW police, the now disgraced Roger Rogerson left a trail of corruption and death as he moved his way through the force.  Former NSW Detective Deborah Locke was at the centre of Rogerson's grip on the police, and faced horrific consequences for standing up to him and his corruption. Deb sat down with host Brent Sanders, and unpacked the details of her life in the force and how she overcame both Rogerson and the police itself.  This episode features references to suicide, miscarriages and infant loss. If this content affected you, help is always available via Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the 2002 Bali bombings killed 202 people, 88 of them Australian, Dr. Pamela Craig was sent into the centre of the crisis. As a forensic odontologist, her job was to help identify the victims, many burned beyond recognition. In this episode, Pam takes host Liz Porter inside the high-stakes world of disaster victim identification, from the Bali mortuary to other mass casualty scenes. Hear how dental forensics brings closure to families, and what it takes to face this kind of devastation again and again. This episode contains graphic descriptions of mass casualty events, and infant death. If you or anyone you know needs help, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Miles was already serving a lengthy prison sentence for murdering his girlfriend. While in prison, he befriended and became romantically linked with another woman. While on a work release program, Miles escaped custody and hunted down his new lover, only to find her with another man.  He exploded in rage and murdered her in cold blood. Daniel Miles will never be released from prison. This episode contains graphic descriptions of violent crime and men's violence against women. If you or anyone needs help, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 cold clues and lack of leads? Genealogy is a complex, and often misunderstood science. But, according to Professor Dennis McNevin, an expert in the field of forensic genetics, it's a technique police are becoming more and more interested in. Join former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox as she unpacks Dennis' work and career, and dives into cases like the Golden State Killer and the Somerton man.  This episode references men's violence against women and sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs assistance, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit deals with the most extraordinary police operations - terror attacks, sieges, and armed confrontations. For this reason, those wishing to join the command are subject to rigorous selection and training processes, to prepare them for the life-threatening situations they could unexpectedly face. Ben Besant is best known for being the sniper who stormed the Lindt Cafe. However, he spent most of his 20-year career in the TOU, where he was regularly faced with life-or-death situations. Hear about some of them in this episode. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.