Crime Insiders

A first hand account of how in a mass shooting, the preservation and storing of bodies is a horrific, but necessary process. It's crucial to ensure no evidence is lost and that they remain in a dignified and respectful state. 

Jodie Leditschke is the Manager of Forensic Technical Services at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine - essentially meaning that she manages the mortuary. So she's responsible for the storage and maintenance of remains all across the state and country. 

Understand her incredible work, with host Kathryn Fox and hear the first hand account of Jodie's experience at the Broad Arrow Cafe in the aftermath of the Port Arthur Massacre. 

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A never before heard insight into centre of the siege. From communicating with snipers across the scene, to briefing the Prime Minister. But it's not all as it seems. The public was told a different story. 

Danny is a former NSW Police Officer who was a pivotal part of three of Sydney's most high profile criminal investigations. The Bilal Skaf case, also known as the Sydney Gang Rapes saw Danny as part of a search crew - looking for victims and building a case against Skaf and his affiliates. 

The Cronulla Riots, where Danny stood guard at the Lakemba Mosque amid an onslaught of violence; and then the Lindt Cafe Siege, arguably Sydney's most notable hostage situation.  

Danny goes into intense detail, and outlines beat by beat the details and processes of the investigation and the convictions. Unpack Danny's career in the force and the work he's doing now with host Brent Sanders. 

To see more of Danny, he can be found on Tik Tok. 

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Digging up a body is rare, and it's a strange and complex process. But why does it happen? And what do forensics learn by doing it?

Dr Jo Dufluo 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. Throughout his career, he's undertaken only a few exhumations - which is the process of removing a body from it's grave - but, the ones he has done, have been fascinating. 

Understand the process of Jo's work with host Kathryn Fox, and learn how the work of forensic experts around Australia and the world are helping solve crime. 

 

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Sandra Nicholson was at the heart of chaos. Whilst Melbourne was under siege during the Gangland Wars, and bushfires wreaked havoc across Victoria, those at the top of Vic Pol were forced to front the media and take responsibility for the intensity surrounding the city.

Sandra Nicholson was Assistant Commissioner at Victoria Police for 5 years, and steered the ship with Commissioner Christine Nixon. Sandra joined the service in 1975, and rose through the ranks until her retirement almost 40 years later. 

Brent Sanders chats with Sandra as she reflects on her career, and the high stakes work that took her from Social Service in NSW, to the second highest ranking female officer in the history of Victoria Police. 

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A body found wrapped in a carpet, and a species of fly that verified an alibi. The bugs and insects that end up on bodies contribute to a lot more than just decomposition, they can act as evidence for conviction or help prove innocence of a suspect. 

Dr Paola Magni is a forensic entomologist is considered the global face of the specialist forensic science that uses insects and other small creatures to help solve murders, suspicious deaths and cold cases.

Unpack the incredible work of Paola with host Kathryn Fox, and understand the intricate nitty gritty details of bugs, insects and dead bodies. 

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What toll does it take on a detective to investigate a missing persons case for 40 years? What do you tell the family? When do you stop looking, if ever? 

David Plumpton is an old school detective. A Tasmanian local, he joined the force because he wanted to make a difference. In his 40+ year career, he did much more than that. Unpack his career with host Brent Sanders, and hear how a double murder in Hobart, changed his career forever and why the case of Lucille Butterworth still stays with him, even now. 

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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's died, but 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 the Ukraine to assist in the forensic management of the shooting down of MH17. In conversation with host Kathryn Fox, understand the role that David played, and go into the detail of what an investigation of that size and politic significance involves. 

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Corruption in the police is a sad reality of the job. But for those investigating these coppers, it's especially hard. Often they're mates - but, they're mates who've committed crimes, so there's no holding back. 

Chris Coster is Victoria Police's last Chief Inspector. His 45-year career came to an end in 2019, and with it, the rank of Chief Inspector was phased out. During his time at Vic Pol, Chris was the Head of Recruiting - meaning he was the final filter in deciding whether a recruit would be handed a gun and a badge. Then, Chris developed and lead the incredibly successful Neighbourhood Watch Program - and finally, internal investigations; work which saw him investigating his mates, and making some incredibly tough calls.

Unpack his career with host Brent Sanders, and understand how Chris overcame immense challenges to be lauded as one of the greats of Victoria Police. 

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Toxicology deciphers death like nothing else. Results determine time of death, location, and method. But, how does it work?

Delving into the dark secrets of poisons, toxicology is the ultimate detective. Toxicologists like Dr Dimitri Gerostamoulos analyse hidden clues within biological samples, and help solve cases like murder investigations, unexplained deaths and drug overdoses. Toxicology acts as a window into crime both in time, and space. 

Dr Dimitri Gerostamoulos is the Head of Forensic Science and Chief Toxicologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Talking to host Kathryn Fox, Dimitri explains how toxicology works in an Australian context, and goes back to why he entered the world of forensics, and explores cases that have affected him and stayed with him throughout his career. 

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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. 

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