Crime Insiders

In this episode, Brent Sanders speaks with former NSW Police officer Justyn Backhouse, who spent 25 years on the front lines of law enforcement. From high-speed pursuits to complex aerial rescues, Justin’s career spanned some of the most intense and demanding roles in policing.

But behind the action was a hidden cost. Diagnosed with PTSD in 2021, Justin turned to writing to process his experiences. The result is Hidden Scars: From Crime Scenes to Crisis – The Price of Service, a powerful memoir that reveals the unseen toll of a life spent in uniform.

This episode makes mention of self-harm. If you or anyone you know needs someone to speak to, call LifeLine on 13 11 14.

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Here's all the evidence the jury in the mushroom triple murder trial wasn't allowed to hear.

In this special episode, The Briefing's host Tara Cassidy joins us to reveal allegations that murderer Erin Patterson had tried to poison and kill her estranged ex-husband Simon multiple times.

Until today, this information has been under a strict non-publication order by the Victorian Supreme Court. 

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Friday January 20, 2017 in Melbourne’s CBD. Bustling Bourke Street became the scene of unspeakable horror.

Six people were killed, 27 others suffered horrific injuries when James Gargasoulas – high on drugs – deliberately drove his car through a crowd of shoppers.

It was one of the worst examples of mass murder in Australian history.

A warning: this episode contains details that may be distressing to some listeners.

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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 | Rewind 

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. 

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David Wells was the Victoria Police Surgeon during one of Australia’s most disturbing unsolved crime sprees - the abductions and assaults of three young girls, and the suspected murder of a fourth, by the predator known only as Mr Cruel.

In this powerful and rare interview, Associate Professor Wells shares what it was like to examine the victims, the moment he returned a girl her parents believed was dead, and the vital evidence he uncovered that could still help unmask the man behind the mask.

This episode contains descriptions of child sex abuse, sexual assault, self-harm and violent crime. 

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue on 1800 512 348, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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In July 1995, sex worker Grace Heathcote was lured to a Cairns motel under the guise of friendship — but what unfolded was a brutal murder. Her body was discovered in a motel room with injuries so severe they shocked experienced forensic pathologists.

Within days, two women — Kerry Catherine Lowrie and Kerri-Leah Michelle Ross — were identified as persons of interest. Both were ultimately charged with murder. Their first trial resulted in convictions, but years later, their appeals were heard anew by the Queensland Court of Appeal.

Each woman sought to shift blame to the other.

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.

Have you ever watched a movie where police exhume a body?  Why does it happen? And what do forensics learn by doing it?

Dr Jo Duflou 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.

In this Rewind episode of Crime Insiders with former Crime Insiders Forensics host Kathryn Fox, Dr Duflou talks about exhuming bodies and although he’s done only a handful, the ones he has done, have been fascinating.  

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.

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David Raymond spent almost 30 years as a QLD Police dog handler.  He caught killers, found people reported missing and saved the lives of people who had attempted self harm.

In this episode of Crime Insiders | Detectives, Brent Sanders sits down with David to learn what it's like to spend your life beside a working police dog.  It's a fascinating insight into what being a dog handler entails, and what the future holds once your dog is ready to retire.

This episode contains mention of self harm - if you or anyone you know needs to speak to someone, call LifeLine on 13 11 14.   

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In 2012, Brisbane father and real estate agent Gerard Baden-Clay reported his wife missing.

Ten days later, Allison Baden-Clay’s body was found beneath a bridge, and suspicion turned to her husband.

This is a story of betrayal, an outstanding forensic investigation and a series of red flags that didn’t align with the story Gerard Baden-Clay was telling police and the public.

His clandestine affair and financial difficulties led him to commit an unspeakable crime - murdering his own wife.

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.

This Rewind episode tells the story of how the Newcastle Knights superstar was covertly surveilled and arrested for drug trafficking. It threw his career and sport into disrepute - and, gave an insight into the fascinating culture of organised crime and sport in Australia. 

As well as arresting high profile sports stars, Former NSW Detective Sergeant Craig Semple has tackled some of Australia's most vicious, and high profile outlaw motorcycle gangs. Craig's career takes some incredible turns - including a high profile murder case in Yamba which shocked almost all of the NSW police department, and several high intensity bikie operations which ended Craig's career, and almost his life. 

Some of the stories you’ll hear from Craig today are just extraordinary. His honesty, candour and emotional vulnerability goes beyond what we expect from our guests, it shows the type of character he is now, and was in the force.

Unpack it all with host Brent Sanders, and understand the ups and downs of policing in NSW and Australia as a whole. 

If you or anyone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 131 114.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.