Crime Insiders

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.

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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