In this week’s episode, we sit down with John Sweetman, author of Identity and host of the Lines of Enquiry podcast.

John takes us inside a career shaped by detail — beginning with his first job in animation, his lifelong connection to art and the path that ultimately led him to An Garda Síochána. We talk about his early days in uniform, his first posting and the moment an incident involving a local publican being struck with a bottle quietly redirected the course of his career.

That moment led John into the Garda Technical Bureau, where we explore the process of becoming a fingerprint expert and what it’s really like to attend crime scenes — and whether exposure to that world ever truly becomes normal.

John also shares how he later transitioned into handwriting analysis, breaking down the training, responsibility and precision required to be recognised as an expert witness and what a life spent paying close attention can do to the way you see the world.

To close, we ask John whether he’d still recommend the Garda as a career today and what advice he’d give to anyone considering stepping into that line of work

This episode is proudly sponsored by:

Top Drawer Talent — Supply Chain & Procurement Specialists, helping businesses hire top-tier talent across Ireland and internationally.

Nesta Storage — secure, flexible storage solutions for businesses and individuals, offering modern facilities, short- and long-term options, and peace of mind when space matters. Get 25% off your first month’s storage using the code CS25

HERE WE GO!

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