The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates cover art

The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates

The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates

By: The Observer
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Introducing...The Lab Detective


Kathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a police detective turned up at her door, and arrested Kathleen on suspicion of murder.


She was labelled ‘Australia's worst female serial killer’, convicted, and was destined to spend most of the rest of her life in jail.


Until a different type of detective entered her life. A scientist working in a lab who uncovered the truth behind the deaths.


This is the story of a shocking miscarriage of justice, but as journalist Rachel Sylvester starts to investigate how this happened, she learns that Kathleen is not alone – other mothers have endured the same fate, and may also be in prison.


The Lab Detective is a story about the power of science, and the determination of those searching for the truth.


The full series is available to listen now.


Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and insights.

You can watch a short documentary on the genomics team behind Kathleen Folbigg's case filmed at the Crick.


Reporters: Rachel Sylvester

Producer: Gary Marshall

Executive editor: Basia Cummings

Music supervisor: Karla Patella

Sound design: Rowan Bishop

Artwork: Lola Williams

Fact checking: Ada Barume and Madeline Parr


To find out more about The Observer:


Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Head to our website observer.co.uk

Download the Tortoise app – for a listening experience curated by our journalists

If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com

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Tortoise Media Social Sciences True Crime
Episodes
  • Introducing ... Tortoise Investigates

    Introducing ... Tortoise Investigates
    Oct 16 2021
    Welcome to Tortoise Investigates, where we curate the best of our chart-topping investigative series in one place. Over the last three years we’ve covered everything from extraordinary tales of deception to suspicious deaths to one mother’s decades-long fight against the police. There's Sweet Bobby, Hoaxed, Pig Iron and more. Keep an eye on the feed, we’ll be updating it regularly with all of our best and most ambitious stories.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 min
  • Introducing: Sweet Bobby

    Introducing: Sweet Bobby
    Oct 18 2021

    How much do you know about the person you love? Sweet Bobby is the #1 award-winning investigative series in search of the world's most sophisticated catfishers. All 6 episodes are available to listen now.


    To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.


    To find out more about Tortoise:




    Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists




    Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content




    Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more




    If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com


    Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

    Producer: Gary Marshall

    Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

    Executive producer: Basia Cummings

    Sound design: Karla Patella

    Artwork: Jon Hill

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    1 min
  • Sliding doors | Sweet Bobby Ep 1

    Sliding doors | Sweet Bobby Ep 1
    Oct 27 2021

    Kirat is a successful marketer and radio presenter. Online, she’s contacted by a man she vaguely knows called Bobby, and they start chatting. Slowly, they become close… and she’s reeled in to a scam of epic proportions. All 6 episodes are available to listen now.


    To get exclusive access to the bonus episode, subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts.


    To find out more about Tortoise:




    Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our journalists




    Subscribe to Tortoise+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for early access and ad-free content




    Become a member and get access to all of Tortoise's premium audio offerings and more




    If you want to get in touch with us directly about a story, or tell us more about the stories you want to hear about contact hello@tortoisemedia.com


    Host and reporter: Alexi Mostrous

    Producer: Gary Marshall

    Assistant producer and reporter: Claudia Williams

    Executive producer: Basia Cummings

    Sound design: Karla Patella

    Artwork: Jon Hill

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
All stars
Most relevant  
I think this could and can happen to anyone.
I should NOT be so gobsmacked as I feel.
How psychopaths utilise everything and everyone to their own advantage is well documented.
I feel there will always be victims of such behaviour and catfishing should be recognised by the laws and justice system as the crime it is.
No amount of money will cover what the victims have lost

Scary !!

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If it was fiction it would be fantasy. It's not fiction, it's nuts
Fifteen words required

Mind boggled

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