Forensic pathologists uncover the final truths that the dead leave behind. Their work tells the untold stories of crime, tragedy, and justice—one autopsy at a time.

In this episode of Profiler Africa, we sit down with Dr. Hestelle van Staden, a forensic pathologist dedicated to deciphering the secrets held within the human body. From high-profile murder cases to overlooked tragedies, she reveals the reality of unnatural death in South Africa and the vital role forensic pathology plays in the pursuit of truth.

Dr. van Staden is the author of Outopsie: Bloed Vertaal ’n Storie and features in the TV series Outopsie, bringing her knowledge to the public in a powerful way.

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Forensic pathology is at the heart of criminal investigations—determining causes of death, uncovering hidden evidence, and bringing crucial facts to court. But what really happens behind the autopsy table?

In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Dr. Shakeera Holland, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand. With years of experience overseeing hundreds of cases annually for the Gauteng Department of Health, Dr. Holland provides expert insight into the challenges, advancements, and real-world impact of forensic pathology.

From unraveling complex deaths to the evolving science behind autopsies, this discussion sheds light on how meticulous forensic work helps solve crimes and deliver justice.

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In rural South Africa, a grim discovery: human remains with no identity, no backstory, and no immediate leads. How do forensic experts step in to solve the mystery?

From analyzing bone fragments to DNA profiling and isotopic science, forensic specialists use cutting-edge techniques to uncover who the victim was, where they came from, and what happened to them. These methods not only help solve crimes but also provide closure to families searching for answers.

In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic scientist Lawrence Hill joins us to explore the fascinating process of identifying unknown human remains. A lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand, Lawrence breaks down the science, the challenges, and the human impact behind this critical work.

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On the night of June 23, 2017, Mariska du Plessis made two chilling calls to the police. In the first, she claimed her husband was violently attacking her and their son. Less than 20 minutes later, her second call told a different story—Jacques du Plessis had been shot by intruders.

But what really happened that night?

Mariska later claimed self-defense, citing battered woman syndrome, but investigators uncovered evidence of a volatile and destructive relationship where both partners contributed to a cycle of conflict and dysfunction. This case raises complex questions about domestic violence, legal defenses, and the psychological factors at play in relationships that turn deadly.

In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne, who worked directly on the case, breaks down the events of that night, the psychological intricacies of Mariska’s defense, and the deeper truths behind Jacques du Plessis’s death.

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In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne unpacks the shocking murder of Gabriela Kabrins Alban, a successful marketing executive from California who was found brutally killed in a Cape Town hotel room. Her boyfriend, Diego Novella, a wealthy Guatemalan national with a history of drug use, was later convicted of her murder.

We explore the toxic dynamics of their relationship, the psychological factors behind the crime, and the chilling details that made this case one of South Africa’s most disturbing. What really happened behind closed doors, and what does this case reveal about intimate partner violence and the criminal mind?

Listen now for an in-depth analysis of a case that gripped South Africa and the world.

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