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.

To varying degrees, all Australians are either victims of terrorism or have been adversely impacted by terrorist acts. This includes police, emergency workers and counter terrorism professionals.

Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA) has been formed to assist victims cope with trauma and to come out the other side. Two retired police who had distinguished careers in counter-terrorist operations, Caroline O’Hare and David Gawel, join podcast host Jason Byrnes in this episode. They talk about the impact of terrorism in Australia, signs all police should be aware of, and VOTA’s objectives. It is well worth your time.

Caroline and Dave’s article, Victims of Terrorism Australia (VOTA), is in the December 2024 edition of the APJ and can be read at www.apjl.com.au

Podcast host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guests: Caroline O’Hare APM and Dr David Gawel APM

Imagine having to police a war-torn nation with no laws, limited or damaged infrastructure and a deeply traumatised community. That’s what Australian police were faced with in late 1999 when they deployed to East Timor as part of a massive United Nations peacekeeping operation.

Michael Ward was one of hundreds of police who volunteered to help the people of East Timor after they had voted for independence from Indonesia, and after the new nation was almost destroyed by pro-Indonesian militias.

In this fascinating episode, Mike talks about training and preparing to deploy, the extremely tough living conditions for peacekeepers and the challenging duties he undertook. He also gives an insight to the at times absurd bureaucracy that can exist in major peacekeeping operations.

The year 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of Australian police peacekeeping operations with the United Nations. The APJ has published several articles and podcasts about different aspects of police peacekeeping. They can be read or listened to at www.apjl.com.au.

The book ‘In the Service of Peace: Australian police involvement in United Nations peacekeeping operations 1964 – 2024’ can be purchased either through AFP Legacy at https://policelegacyafp.org.au/shop/ or at the Australian War Memorial Bookshop at https://shop.awm.gov.au.

If you have a suggestion about the topics for future episode of Policing Australia, let us know at apj@apjl.com.au.

Host: Jason Byrnes APM
Guest: Michael Ward

In the latest podcast from the APJ, hear from two detectives involved in a missing person case which soon became a homicide investigation, and an investigation into criminal drug dealing.

Allecha Boyd was reported missing to police in mid-2017. Inquiries suggested the involvement of a local drug dealer and his associates.

Detective Sergeants Brent Fletcher and Tim Briggs talk about how police were able to build briefs of evidence sufficient to obtain convictions for murder and associated offences, despite being unable to locate Allecha’s body.

Police continued to investigate avenues of inquiry after the court cases concluded, to locate Allecha’s remains. Their persistence eventually succeeded, which enabled Allecha’s family to attain a sense of closure.

The article titled Cold Blooded Murder is in the June 2023 edition of the APJ, which can be read at www.apjl.com.au

Host: Jason Byrnes APM
Guests: Detective Sergeants Brent Fletcher and Tim Briggs

A horrid rape and robbery in December 2006 brought Ipswich detectives into contact with a man who had previously been convicted of multiple rapes and sexual assaults in Queensland and New South Wales. On this occasion however, police were initially unable to find direct evidence of the man's guilt. Over time, detectives were able to build a brief of evidence based on the principles of propensity evidence.

Former Detective Sergeant Darren Prickett led the investigation and joins host Jason Byrnes to talk about what occurred and how the brief of evidence was built. Darren's article - The Insatiable Rapist - was published in the June 2011 edition of the APJ, which can be read at www.apjl.com.au

Darren has also written two books about Australian military history. His latest - Crawl to Freedom - has been printed by Big Sky Publishing. It's a fascinating account of 40 Australian soldiers who escaped from German imprisonment during the Great War (the First World War). This has been a little-known aspect of Australian military operations between 1916 to 1918. Darren talks briefly about the book, including the amazing story of one Australian who made multiple escape attempts.

Subscribe to the APJ at www.apjl.com.au

Host: Jason Byrnes APM
Guest: Darren Prickett

Police are called to a perplexing scene at a rural property where a man’s body was found lying face down, pinned to the ground by the rear wheel of his utility. There were no tools nearby. Was it a case of death by misadventure, or something more sinister?

A scientific officer develops a hypothesis which appears far-fetched at police headquarters. A reconstruction of the scene is undertaken, with amazing results.

Recently retired Deputy Editor Barry Fay joins Jason Byrnes to discuss the case, which Barry wrote about in the September 2003 edition of the APJ.

This podcast series is provided free of charge to subscribers and others with an interest in true Australian crime and policing. If you like the series, please leave a review on the podcast downloading platform.

For more information, access to the APJ, and to take out a subscription, go to www.apjl.com.au

Host: Jason Byrnes APM

Guest: Barry Fay