In this episode, Dave and Steve break down the realities of the job the public rarely sees and applicants aren’t always told about. They discuss the pressures, delays, and limitations that shape police work every day, along with how those realities impact investigations, officers, and the people they serve.

They discuss the mental and emotional toll of the work, internal stressors within departments, public perception, and why demonizing the profession has real consequences. This isn’t about negativity, it’s about realism, accountability, and having honest conversations about an incredibly difficult job that’s expected to be done perfectly.

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“No body” cases are some of the hardest homicide investigations to build and prosecute. In this episode, Dave and Steve explain what makes these cases different, why investigators assume death early, and how circumstantial evidence becomes decisive when there’s no body.

Using real-world examples, including references to the Brian Walshe case, they break down the must-dos: proving the victim is dead, building a clean timeline, establishing motive, leveraging forensic and digital evidence, and reading post-crime behavior. They also cover common mistakes that sink no-body cases and why prosecutors are often reluctant to take them to trial.

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Sources:

https://www.wafb.com/2025/12/18/brian-walshe-sentenced-life-prison-murdering-his-wife-nearly-3-years-ago/

https://people.com/brian-walshe-learns-fate-for-murdering-wife-11872065

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/metro/brian-walshe/

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/brian-walshe-verdict-murder-trial-ana/

https://abcnews.go.com/US/brian-walshe-set-sentenced-murdering-dismembering-wife/story?id=128457191

https://apnews.com/article/brian-walshe-wife-murder-trial-sentencing-b0918da02db8a1da147dd215dbf68260

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We’re kicking off 2026 with our first Squad Meeting of the year and wishing everyone a Happy New Year.

We talk about our personal goals for the year, including fitness, mental health, and making time for travel and life outside the job. We also look ahead at what’s coming in 2026 for the podcast, including continued Bibb County trial coverage, legislative developments, and other cases we’re keeping an eye on.

We share updates on upcoming series, CrimeCon Las Vegas in May 2026, Patreon perks, recent merch giveaways, and our new Team Dave and Team Steve shirts. We wrap things up by thanking our listeners and Patreon supporters for an incredible 2025 and looking forward to what’s ahead in 2026.

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In Part III of Bunker in Bibb, Dave and Steve sit down with Alabama State Representative, Matt Simpson who proposed legislation that would allow the death penalty in cases involving the sexual abuse of children under the age of 12.

Representative Simpson discusses his background as a prosecutor, what motivated the proposed bill, and how lawmakers think through penalty structures, constitutional precedent, and public safety concerns. The conversation also addresses difficult but necessary topics, including victim reporting, family-related abuse, prosecutorial discretion, and how collaboration across disciplines can better protect the most vulnerable.

Drawing from their experience as detectives, Dave and Steve explore how legislation intersects with real-world investigations, prosecutions, and community resources. The discussion covers investigative realities, funding challenges, training needs, digital forensics, and policy decisions.

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In Part II of Bunker in Bibb, Dave and Steve return with a focused update on the ongoing investigation and criminal case unfolding in Bibb County, Alabama.

Since the first episode, additional charges have been filed, court hearings have taken place, and new details have emerged through testimony and court records. The detectives break down where the case currently stands, including bond decisions under Aniah’s Law, upcoming trial timelines, and what investigators have shared about the scope of the alleged abuse.

They also discuss how complex child trafficking and sexual abuse investigations are built, why the absence of certain types of evidence does not end a case, and how digital evidence, confessions, forensic interviews, and corroborating details factor into long-term prosecutions.

If you have information related to this case, contact the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office at 205-926-4683.

If you or someone you know needs help, the Sexual Abuse Hotline is available at 1-800-656-4673.

Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast

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Sources:

https://www.wbrc.com/2025/10/08/federal-investigators-probe-gang-link-bibb-county-child-sex-trafficking-case

https://abc3340.com/news/local/judge-orders-mental-evaluation-in-bibb-county-bunker-case

https://abc3340.com/news/local/trial-date-set-for-suspects-charged-in-bibb-county-bunker-case

https://www.wsfa.com/2025/08/15/many-20-more-suspects-could-be-wanted-bibb-county-child-sex-abuse-ring/

https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/08/02/underground-bunker-arrests-pushing-alabama-lawmakers-call-death-penalty-child-rape-cases/

https://www.wvtm13.com/article/alabama-bunker-bibb-county-brent-child-sex-ring-trafficking/65498959

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this K9 Roll Call episode, Dave and Steve sit down with Officer Gilpin from the University of Notre Dame Police Department to meet Barkley, a vapor-wake explosive detection dog with serious skills and plenty of personality.

Officer Gilpin shares how he got into K9 work, the transition from his retired partner Toxy to Barkley, and why vapor-wake detection plays a critical role in public safety. The conversation breaks down how vapor-wake dogs work, what deployments look like in real time, and what civilians often don’t notice while a K9 team is working a crowd.

They also dive into training, wellness, public interaction, life at home, and the realities of being a handler. The episode wraps with a fun rapid-fire “Barkley vs. Toxy” round that shows just how different working dogs can be.

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In this episode, Dave and Steve explore the foundational principle of death investigations: treat every death like a homicide until it isn’t. Using the 2011 death of Ellen Greenberg as a case reference, they walk through the steps investigators typically take in unattended deaths and why beginning with the broadest possible approach protects the integrity of any final determination.

The conversation highlights how questions, doubts, and public confusion often arise when early investigative steps aren’t fully documented or clearly understood. By examining widely discussed points surrounding this case — from scene processing to medical classifications and evidence preservation — Dave and Steve illustrate how thorough initial procedure helps prevent uncertainty later on, regardless of the ultimate manner of death.

They also share The Detective’s Ten Commandments of Unattended Deaths, explaining how these guidelines support clarity, transparency, and trust in any investigation. The goal isn’t to judge past decisions, but to show how starting wide, staying neutral, and documenting everything ensures that the truth whatever it is can be confidently supported.

Philadelphia Office of the Medical Examiner autopsy report for Ellen Greenberg

https://crimetimelines.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ellen-Rae-Greenberg-Autopsy-January-26-2011.pdf

Review of Philadelphia MEO case 11-0420 (Ellen Greenberg)”

https://dig.abclocal.go.com/wpvi/pdf/101325-wpvi-ellen-greenberg-death-dr-simon-review-PDF.pdf

https://www.lambmcerlane.com/news/fighting-chance-for-parents-in-ellen-greenberg-civil-suit-judge-says-lamb-mcerlane-partner-joe-podraza-the-attorney-for-the-greenbergs-quoted/

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Welcome to our December Squad Meeting! In this episode, we sit down and look back at our unbelievable 2025 journey. From launching The Detectives Podcast in July to everything that’s happened since. We talk about how much we’ve learned along the way, and the incredible support from our listeners and Patreon subscribers.

We also share stories from our recent trip to Mexico celebrating Steve’s birthday, including behind-the-scenes moments, and a few surprises. From there, we dive into conversations about our latest episodes, clear up some listener questions, and finish with an update on where things stand with our Cross Examined series, and what’s coming next.

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Part II of this listener-requested episode picks up where the patrol journey ends and the detective path begins. Dave and Steve explore what happens when an officer decides they’re ready to enter criminal investigations and take the next step in their career.

They break down the two ways officers typically become detectives, direct appointment or a competitive promotional process. They offer practical tips on how officers can set themselves apart from their peers, build a reputation for investigative thinking, and position themselves as the obvious choice for a detective promotion.

From there, the conversation turns to the many types of investigative units officers can pursue and what it means to make the shift from patrol to a detective mindset. Dave and Steve discuss the importance of working with a strong team, learning from experienced detectives, and embracing the specialized trainings, certifications, and continuing education opportunities. They also touch on how college degrees can help aspiring detectives excel and explain why making mistakes is inevitable and essential in this profession.

The episode doesn’t shy away from the hard realities of detective work: late-night callouts, the emotional weight of victim-centered investigations, shift demands, and the mental health toll that comes with the job. Dave and Steve also highlight the rewards of solving cases, helping victims and families, and knowing that your work leaves a real impact on the world.

Despite every challenge, both hosts share why they love the job and why neither can imagine doing anything else. They close the episode by exploring ways civilians can contribute to investigative work without becoming sworn police officers or attending the academy.

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Part I of this listener requested two-part episode explores how someone actually becomes a detective and answers the question of whether someone can bypass patrol and jump straight into investigations. Dave and Steve walk through the journey from the very beginning, starting with the decision to go into law enforcement itself. They talk about why this profession requires calling, purpose, and personal drive rather than money, status, or what people see in movies or television. They also explain why internships and job shadow opportunities with multiple agencies at different times of the year can make a huge difference in understanding if this work is truly for you.

From there, they break down the path toward the academy, including minimum requirements, the application process, oral interviews, written exams, physical testing, polygraphs, psychological evaluations, background investigations, and more. They share stories from their own academy experiences and offer advice for surviving it and succeeding once you get there. The conversation continues into the Field Training Officer phase, where new officers learn to apply everything in the real world on patrol.

Dave and Steve discuss why new officers can’t just jump directly into being detectives right out of the academy, and how the patrol years shape, develop, and prepare officers for investigative work. They share what officers can do on patrol to set themselves apart, earn trust, and begin positioning themselves for detective opportunities.

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