Dave and Steve sit down with criminal defense attorney Mike Cunningham as part of their First Call to Final Verdict series. Board certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist through the National Board of Trial Advocacy, Mike has built his career defending constitutional rights in some of the highest-stakes criminal cases. While detectives and defense attorneys usually meet on opposite sides of the courtroom, this conversation offers a rare chance to sit down at the same table and talk openly about the system from different perspectives.

Together they explore how defense attorneys evaluate investigations, challenge evidence, and prepare to break a case in court. Mike explains what people often misunderstand about criminal defense, where investigations tend to be most vulnerable, and how the justice system balances truth, proof, and constitutional protections. From plea negotiations to courtroom strategy, the conversation pulls back the curtain and takes listeners inside the defense mind while showing the human side of the work on both sides of the system.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In this episode of The Detectives Podcast, Dave and Steve explore what they call “no win decisions.” These are the moments in policing where every available option carries risk and criticism. Drawing on real world experience, they explain how officers often have to choose between imperfect outcomes while balancing public safety, legal limits, and incomplete information.

Using examples involving use of force, juveniles, mental health calls, pursuits, domestic violence calls, and criminal investigations, Dave and Steve break down how these situations unfold in real time. They also discuss the expectation gap between what the public sees afterward and what officers know in the moment.

Paul Harvey's Policeman: Policeman - By. Paul Harvey (Tribute to our Police Officers)

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

Welcome to our April 2026 Squad Meeting. We talk about our latest Cross Examined episode with Kevin and Áine from The Murder Sheet, a conversation that means a lot to us since they helped inspire this podcast in the first place. We preview upcoming episodes, talk about what we’ve been working on behind the scenes, and share a few thoughts on where the show is headed next.

We also talk about our next Smoking and Joking livestream on Saturday, April 18 at 8 PM Eastern, featuring listener-favorite “Other Dave.” Along the way we talk about how listeners can reach out to us, and yes… we break some truly earth-shattering news about Dave’s lactose intolerance.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In this episode, Dave and Steve tackle one of the most frustrating questions in criminal investigations: if law enforcement knows who did it, why has no one been arrested? From the outside, delay can look like failure, incompetence, or a lack of urgency. But inside an investigation, the difference between strongly believing something and legally proving it is everything.

They break down the gap between suspicion, probable cause, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt, while explaining why waiting is often a strategic decision rather than inaction. The conversation explores weak versus winnable cases, forensic and digital evidence delays, investigative timing, system friction, tunnel vision, and the emotional toll delayed justice takes on victims, families, and investigators alike.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

Probable cause is one of the most misunderstood concepts in criminal investigations. People often assume it has a clear definition or a strict formula. In reality, it’s based on facts, experience, and the totality of the circumstances. In this episode, Dave and Steve explain what probable cause actually means, how it differs from reasonable suspicion, and why it sits between suspicion and proof.

They also discuss how investigators build probable cause piece by piece, why courts allow officers to rely on training and experience, and why different judges sometimes see the same facts differently. From common public misconceptions to the real pressure detectives face when making decisions in real time, this conversation breaks down how probable cause works in the real world and why the question “is that enough?” does not always have an easy answer.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In this episode, Dave and Steve sit down with Dr. Kelly Dardeen to break down the reality of adrenaline. It is the body’s built-in survival system that can sharpen focus, enhance performance, and help officers respond in life-threatening moments. But what happens during and after that surge is often misunderstood.

From tunnel vision and time distortion to decision-making under stress, they walk through what officers actually experience in the moment. The conversation then shifts to what comes next. The adrenaline crash, the physical and emotional toll, and how repeated exposure can keep the nervous system on high alert long after the threat is gone.

They also discuss how to recognize when stress is no longer situational and starts becoming chronic. Early warning signs, long-term health impacts, and the connection to burnout are all explored. More importantly, they talk about what can be done. Practical ways to regulate the body, build resilience, and create healthier coping strategies both on and off the job.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In their previous episode, Dave and Steve broke down what happens immediately after an officer involved shooting, from the officer’s perspective to how detectives begin investigating the case. In this follow-up episode, they explore what happens after the investigation is completed and prosecutors determine the officer acted lawfully.

Drawing on their experience investigating these cases, they discuss why those findings often leave the public feeling dissatisfied. From emotional expectations and hindsight bias to social media pressure and misunderstandings about training, Dave and Steve explain why even thorough and transparent investigations can still feel unsatisfying to communities and families. They also discuss why the word “justified” does not mean the outcome was not tragic.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In this Squad Meeting, we talk about some of our recent episodes and a couple of shows we were invited to appear on. We joined Headline Crime with Susan Hendricks, where we discussed the Nancy Guthrie case and how active investigations are handled. We also appeared on The FOURensic Room for a conversation about the CSI effect, armchair detectives, and why some people become deeply invested in defending convicted criminals.

We cover some of our recent episodes, including our discussion on officer-involved shooting investigations and the launch of our First Call to Final Verdict series with defense attorney Zachary Stock. We also highlight two powerful conversations from The War We Owe Them series featuring sex trafficking survivors Chantal and Sean.

Headline Crime with Susan Hendricks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJl3JFXw1f0

The FOURensic Room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3rzLQhEiXs

Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

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

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast:https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

Officer involved shootings are some of the most scrutinized incidents in law enforcement. A short video clip can spread across social media in minutes, and opinions about what happened often form just as quickly. But a few seconds of footage rarely capture the full picture.

In this episode, Dave and Steve walk listeners through the reality of how officer involved shootings are investigated. Drawing from their own experience handling these cases, they break down common myths and misconceptions surrounding memory, body cameras, evolving statements, administrative leave, and the investigative process itself. They also explain how criminal and internal investigations operate, the legal protections involved, and why context, evidence, and the totality of the circumstances matter when determining what really happened.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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

In this opening installment of the new series, First Call to Final Verdict, Dave and Steve explore what shapes a criminal case long before detectives ever receive the call. Joined by Zachary Stock, Legislative Counsel for the Public Defender Council, the discussion examines how legislation, policy, and constitutional guardrails influence investigations, courtroom standards, and the broader justice system before a single piece of evidence is collected.

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

Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives

Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast

Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives

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