Crime Insiders

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 led 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', after successful operations in the intense region of Cabramatta, and then the aforementioned Strike Force Raptor. 

The beginning of her career though was much more abstract. She was involved in one of Australia's most horrific cases. The rape and murder of Anita Cobby in 1986.

Understand the impact of that case on Deb, and Australia as a whole as Brent Sanders steps through the career of one of Australia's most decorated police officers. 

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention) 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect (National sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line) 1800 737 732
• Men's Referral Service (National counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour) 1300 766 491
• Full Stop Australia (National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery Service) 1800 385 578

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

DNA has become the gold standard in forensic investigation. As its use is increasing, so is our understanding of its limitations.  

Jae Gerhard is the principal forensic scientist at Independent Forensic Services. Starting out as a forensic scientist at the Australian Federal Police in 2002, Jae is an expert in body fluid detection, bloodstain pattern analysis, and DNA analysis and interpretation. 

In this episode of Crime Insiders Forensics, Kathryn Fox asks Jae to take us through the process of DNA collection. How accurate it is? How is it processed? And how useful is it for evidence? Jae also tells us about Stain 91, a blood stain pattern that played a part in helping to solve one of Australia's most renowned murder investigations - the Lin Family Murders.

If you're interested in DNA and it's role in forensics, check out Secrets We Keep: Should I Spit?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two young girls shot dead in a town of less than 1000 people. With local law enforcement stumped, they turned to the renowned FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit for answers.

Julia Cowley is a retired FBI criminal profiler with a twist - she's a forensic scientist too.

In this episode with Kathryn Fox, hear about Julia's very first assignment with the BAU, where her unique dual skillset provided insight into the motivations and behavioral traits of an offender who could commit such a crime - ultimately resulting in the conviction of the man responsible for 'The Weleetka Murders'.

This episode contains references to violence against women and children, for support, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lindt Cafe siege is one of Australia’s most infamous crimes.  A terrorist took ten customers and eight employees hostage back in December 2014. 

The Sydney siege resulted in a 16-hour standoff, ending when officers from the NSW Police Tactical Operations Unit – or the TOU - stormed the cafe. 

In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders sits down with Ben Besant, the police officer who led the police operation storming the cafe. 

A warning: this episode contains descriptions of extreme violence and suicidal ideation.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Without the internet, police were unable to track offender behaviour, and heavily relied on the testimony of victim-survivors. 

These interviews were crucial, and required care and empathy, as one misstep, and evidence could be lost and a victim survivor left unheard. 

Former detective Andrew Patterson was part of a special task force investigating paedophiles in Perth, and was the one who spoke to hundreds of victim-survivors... One morning, he received information about a sexual predator, and descriptions of an underground chamber with shiny chrome walls. He and his team set about investigating the offender, and finding survivors.

Andrew sat down with host Brent Sanders to explain this case, and others from his impressive career. 

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention) 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect (National sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line) 1800 737 732
• Men's Referral Service (National counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour) 1300 766 491
• Full Stop Australia (National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery Service) 1800 385 578

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What secrets do documents hide—and how are they uncovered?   From forged wills to counterfeit passports, the world of document examination is a high-stakes game of detection and deception. 

No one knows this better than Justin Watt, a forensic document examiner with the Department of Home Affairs.  

In this episode of Crime Insiders | Forensics, hosted by Kathy Fox, Justin unravels how clues invisible to the naked eye busted a serial bank robber, what your handwriting can and can’t reveal about you, and what it takes to fake a passport. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1995, a deliberately lit 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. He's also worked overseas, in mass grave sites in Kosovo and mass disasters like the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Thailand. 

In this episode of Crime Insiders Forensics, understand Peter's career, and the toll this type of work takes, as Kathryn Fox takes us through his career and his incredible work. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Graeme Simpfendorfer was a decorated Victorian police officer. He used good old-fashioned policing to convict an arsonist who deliberately lit a fire in a shopping strip on the NSW/Victoria border.  His hunch proved right.

Later, Graeme worked in the prestigious Victorian Police Homicide Squad, where he obtained two departmental commendations for solving difficult, high-profile murders.

Graeme tells host Brent Sanders about solving the arson case and how he helped put a man behind bars in relation to an infamous roadside armed hold-up, 27 years after the crime occurred.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention) 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect (National sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line) 1800 737 732
• Men's Referral Service (National counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour) 1300 766 491
• Full Stop Australia (National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery Service) 1800 385 578

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Inspector in the NSW Police. He worked tirelessly in the force, and took on several high ranking positions across a number of stations. Now, he works alongside former Crime Insiders guest, Danny Mikati, as a private investigator. 

Join host Brent Sanders as he unpacks Anthony's career and gets to know the man behind the badge. 

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention) 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect (National sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line) 1800 737 732
• Men's Referral Service (National counselling, information and referral service for men looking to change their behaviour) 1300 766 491
• Full Stop Australia (National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery Service) 1800 385 578

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thousands of people cross Pheasants Nest Bridge on the Hume Highway every day, probably unaware of its haunting past. Beneath this towering structure lies a history shrouded in tragedy—suicide, dismembered remains, mysterious deaths, and dozens of unanswered questions.

In 1989, the bridge became the site of a chilling case: the untimely deaths of two 15-year-old boys, Matthew Kelly and Jaymie Egner, who were discovered inside one of the bridge's 33m high pylons. 

Forensic Investigator Esther McKay was brought in to examine the scene—a task that would forever change her life.

If you or anyone you know needs help:

• Lifeline (Crisis support and suicide prevention) 13 11 14
• 1800 Respect (National sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line) 1800 737 732
• Full Stop Australia (National violence and abuse trauma counselling and recovery Service) 1800 385 578

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.