Authorities are notified of a man having been ritualistically killed in a highlands village in remote New Guinea. Australian and New Guinean police, and a doctor, set out on foot to investigate. The case then takes a bizarre turn when the murderer seeks a reward for his actions. 

This episode is a case from the archives of the APJ – a 1972 article concentrating on the strange phenomenon known as ‘cargo cults’ and how they emerged in some Pacific Island communities who were keen to enrich themselves with western consumer goods.

It’s a compelling story which shows how – just one lifetime ago – Australia was a colonial power with an international mandate to govern other cultures who were facing the challenges of rapidly adjusting to modernity.

This episode includes a narration of an abridged version of the article, using artificial intelligence (AI). On occasion, the article’s author used the word ‘primitive’ in a way which was widely acceptable at the time it was written, but which is now culturally insensitive. Listener discretion is advised.

You can subscribe to the APJ by visiting the website www.apjl.com.au, and clicking on the ‘subscribe’ button at the top of the page.

Organised crime is the focus of this wide-ranging discussion with author, lecturer and academic, Professor Mark Galeotti. Criminal activities canvassed in the chat include people smuggling, the illicit drug trade, slavery, 3D printed weapons, human organ harvesting, and environmental crimes such as the smuggling of sand and counterfeit cacao beans.

Mark’s recent book – Homo Criminalis: How crime organises the world – covers the history and evolution of organised crime. It leaves the reader pondering the future and how authorities should tackle the challenges posed by criminal syndicates, who are professionalising in a process Mark describes as Darwinian. 

Mark also talks about Russian organised crime and how it (and Russian society) is likely to change as a result of the country’s illegal war on Ukraine. 

Homo Criminalis: How crime organises the world is published by Penguin Books. Mark Galeotti also produces a weekly podcast and regular blog on developments in Russia, called In Moscow’s Shadows.

If you enjoy the podcast but are not a subscriber to the APJ, please become one as subscriptions fund the podcast and the magazine. For more information, go to www.apjl.com.au

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Professor Mark Galeotti

This is the third and final episode regarding the police investigation into the 2015 murder of Leeton High School teacher Stephanie Scott. The first two episodes focused on how police identified and brought to justice, the murderer Vincent Stanford. This episode concentrates on Vincent’s twin brother, Marcus.

Because twins have identical DNA, it was important for police to clearly establish Marcus’ location at the time of Stephanie’s death.  When police became satisfied Marcus had been in South Australia, he was ruled out as a suspect. As events transpired however, Marcus became an accessory after the fact to murder.

Detectives Tim Clark and Justin Milne talk about their investigation of Marcus and then conclude with their thoughts on how they coped with the strains and stresses of the experiences associated with investigating these grim crimes. 

The two crime case articles this series has referenced can be read in the APJ. ‘Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott’ is in the September 2019 edition and ‘No End to the Sorrow’ is in the June 2025 edition. Both articles can be read online at www.apjl.com.au. 

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

Following on from episode 49, Detectives Tim Clark and Justin Milne discuss how police were able to build a brief of evidence against Stephanie Scott’s murderer. This included locating Stephanie’s abandoned and burnt body near a campsite. The unique challenges facing police in rural areas are detailed in the episode, especially how detectives engaged with the cold-blooded killer. It’s a fascinating example of police working to bring justice for Stephanie’s family.

The crime case story this conversation references – Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott – is in the September 2019 edition of the APJ. It can be read at www.apjl.com.au.

Note this episode discusses in a degree of detail, the murder and sexual assault of an innocent victim.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

The nation was shocked by the vicious and senseless murder of schoolteacher Stephanie Scott in Leeton NSW in 2015. Two detectives involved in the investigation give their unique insights into the early days of the case, from the moment they were called upon to assist in what was initially reported as a missing person case, to when they arrested the offender and charged him with murder. This episode begins a three-part must-listen series for any aspiring detective.

The crime case story this conversation references – Merciless and Cold Blooded: The Murder of Bride to Be Stephanie Scott – is in the September 2019 edition of the APJ. It can be read at www.apjl.com.au. 

Host: Jason Byrnes

Guests: Tim Clark and Justin Milne

This episode is about how the actions of Australian police can have a diplomatic effect, when police personnel are deployed overseas. The deployment of police to another country is as much a statement about the sending nation’s intent and values, as it is about the police duties being performed.

Dr Martin Hess is a retired police officer who has just published a book titled ‘The Politics of Police Diplomacy – the Australian Experience’. It’s an analysis of six decades of Australian police activities in places such as Indonesia, Afghanistan, Ukraine, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and the wider Pacific. 

In these locations, Australian police have performed duties ranging from criminal investigations to disaster victim identification, capacity building, liaison, stability support and peacekeeping. In his book, Martin examines these activities through a diplomatic lens. 

Martin served in the Australian Federal Police for 33 years, during which time he worked in several Australian cities as well as overseas, in Afghanistan, Cyprus and East Timor. Before retiring in 2021, Martin was awarded a doctorate of philosophy from the Australian National University. His doctoral thesis is titled ‘The Australian Federal Police as an international actor: diplomacy by default’. 

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Dr Martin Hess

Learn how police were able to identify and apprehend a serial sex offender and burglar in northern Adelaide. When the offender was eventually sentenced in court, the judge declared the man had 'no control over his sexual instincts'. 

Retired Detective Senior Sergeant Carl Whitaker returns to the podcast to talk about the investigation, which he previously wrote about in an APJ article titled ‘Uncontrollable Urges’ (September 2011). It can be viewed at www.apjl.com.au.

Host: Jason Byrnes 

Guest: Carl Whitaker

Search & Rescue coordination expert and retired policeman, Dr Jim Whitehead APM, discusses two cases where police were called to search for men who went missing in remote bushland.

Jim’s article about the first case – titled ‘The Perfect Storm’ – was printed in the September 2023 edition of the APJ. In that case Mr Don Marchant went missing in rugged jungle-like bushland in southern Queensland, a day before the region was struck by Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

The second case involved a hermit, Mr Victor Horne, who disappeared on a large property in Far North Queensland. Initially, only Victor's vehicles and spoilt groceries were located by the property’s owners and searchers. The article about this case – ‘A Lonely Death’ – was published in the June 2024 edition of the APJ.

Both articles are available at the APJ's website - www.apjl.com.au 

In his conversation with podcast host Jason Byrnes, Jim talks about each case and the lessons learned or reinforced for police search coordinators. Jim’s previous appearance was in episode 5.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Dr Jim Whitehead APM

In January 2014 a brutal murder occurred to the north of Adelaide. Attending police were confronted with the body of an asylum seeker laying in the yard of his suburban home. The offender, a neighbour who was also an asylum seeker known to the victim, initially denied knowledge of the crime and attempted to implicate an innocent witness. 

Retired South Australia Police Senior Sergeant Carl Whitaker talks to podcast host Jason Byrnes about the challenging investigation with a focus on how it was managed. Aspects covered include the use of interpreters, how the police interacted with other state and federal organisations, and what happened when investigating police took on the responsibility for repatriating the victim's body to Sri Lanka.

Carl Whitaker’s article about the case, titled ‘Hot Weather, Hot Liquor, Hot Temper,’ is in the March 2025 edition of the APJ, which can be read at www.apjl.com.au. 

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Carl Whitaker

Noted UK criminologist and author Christopher Berry-Dee talks to Jason Byrnes about his lengthy career in dealing with serial killers, psychopaths and savages. He talks about some of the more memorable people and cases he has dealt with. Chris’ books can be purchased through major bookshops and internet sites.

To subscribe to the APJ, go to www.apjl.com.au and click the subscribe button.

In the interview Chris mentions serial killer Colonel Russell Williams. The police interview of Williams – which is now used as a training aid for Canadian law enforcement – can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsLbDzkIy3A

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Christopher Berry-Dee

Note: After listening to the podcast Christopher advised of two slight errors – John Wayne Gacy was imprisoned in Illinois, not Minnesota. Also, the second cold case regarding Michael Bruce Ross was Dzung Ngoc Tu at Cornell University, Ithica, New York.