Crime Insiders

Drowning is the third-highest cause of death around the world, yet underwater recovery and aquatic forensic investigation remain heavily underresourced and underresearched. 

Forensic investigator and scientific diver, Sarah Mormino, is on a mission to change this. 

In this episode, host Kathryn Fox and Sarah unravel the fascinating and often perilous process of collecting and preserving evidence underwater. Discover why turtles can be unexpected adversaries for investigators and hear about the case that ignited Sarah's passion for aquatic crime scenes.

If this content affected you, the number LifeLine is 13 11 14. 

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: Detectives. 

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.

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 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.

What happens when back up is three hours away, and you're faced with a violent and desperate situation? 

Mark Tregellas is one of Victoria's most experienced regional police officers. He's spent decades tackling violent and intense criminal situations, ones that are unique to that of Australia's wild and often unpredictable regional areas. 

Join host Brent Sanders as Mark walks him through two cases that stand out to him from his time in the force. 

This content contains references to men's violence against women. 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.

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 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.

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 its origin and surveilling its 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.

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. Join host Kathryn Fox and hear how using things like probability, David can calculate the likelihood of DNA belonging to offenders, victims and crime scenes. 

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.

The gangs of New Zealand are like nothing else, and as an undercover cop, you're forced to prove yourself, demonstrate you're a criminal and show you're capable of committing violent and often dangerous crimes. 

That was the life of undercover operative Mark Van Lee Warden, who spent years as a covert officer deep inside the underworld of the New Zealand ganglands. He was required to tackle some of the country's most powerful underworld figures, including the infamous convicted murderer Ricki Goodin. Mark sat down with host Brent Sanders to explain how he became an undercover cop, and the impact it had on him in his professional and personal life. 

To hear more about Mark's time in the force, his book is available here. 

Mark's work post policing at Warden Consulting. 

This episode features references to mens violence against women, if this content affects you, help is available via LifeLine on 13 11 14, or, dial 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victims of stalking are systematically let down. So, how do the police handle reports of stalking? And what does the research tell us about effective intervention?

24-year-old Alice Ruggles was stalked and murdered by her ex-boyfriend. Alice did all the recommended things, including reporting his dangerous behaviour to the police multiple times. Unfortunately, Alice's story is not a one-off. It's a typical story illustrating the link between coercive control and stalking. 

Join host Kathryn Fox for part 2 of her discussion with forensic psychologist, Professor Troy McEwan from Swinburne University. 

This episode is part 2 of 2.

To learn more about Alice's story, and the work of the Alice Ruggles trust, head here.

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.

The consequences of online abuse can be fatal, and in the early 2000s, even experts were naive to the dangers of the online world for us, and our kids.

Yasmin London is a former NSW Police Officer who took on a diverse set of roles in her decade in the force. She tackled the everyday stress of general duties, the diverse crimes of Rosebay in Sydney and the complex and unknown world of cyberbullying in the early days of the internet. 

Yasmin joined host Brent Sanders to talk through her career, and to unpack how her time in the force impacted her motivation for the work she does now. 

This episode contains references to suicide and mens violence against women, if it affected you, the number for Life Line is 13 11 14. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.