The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates
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:
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Episodes (56)
Myths and monsters | The Lab Detective Ep4
Rachel Sylvester travels to Greece to investigate whether genetic science could change the story in the case of Roula Pispirigou – a mother who was convicted of killing her three young children just...
Science versus the law | The Lab Detective Ep3
Scientist Carola Vinuesa and her team test their extraordinary genetic discovery in a court of law.Our thanks to The Francis Crick Institute for sharing recordings and...
The eureka moment | The Lab Detective Ep2
Kathleen Folbigg is just trying to survive. She’s a grieving mother, sentenced to life in jail for killing her four infant children. That is, until a small group of people start to question whether...
Three is murder | The Lab Detective Ep1
Journalist Rachel Sylvester investigates the case of 'Australia's worst serial killer'. And discovers, in a story about mothers who have been accused of murdering their own children, there is one man...
Introducing...The Lab Detective
Introducing...The Lab DetectiveKathleen Folbigg experienced unimaginable loss. All four of her infant children died suddenly, over a 10-year period. Their deaths were unexplained. Until a...
An update on the story | Lucky Boy
When Lucky Boy launched back in March, there was an important detail that didn't make it into the podcast, for legal reasons: the team had discovered that they weren’t the only people...
Lucky Boys | Lucky Boy Ep4
Sally Anne Bowen doesn’t want to speak about her relationship with Gareth, but it turns out there is a way of hearing her version of events. And after months of searching, Chloe gets a message from...
The school | Lucky Boy Ep3
Chloe hears from a former teacher who seems to support what Gareth believes - that there was a cover-up. And it’s still going on today.You can find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app -...
The relationship | Lucky Boy Ep2
Gareth is convinced that his memories are true and that there are plenty of witnesses who can corroborate his story, so why will no one help him? You can find out more about Tortoise:Download the...
Gareth | Lucky Boy Ep1
Gareth spent years believing he was a lucky boy. He was the 14-year-old who got the attention of the attractive young science teacher. Now, decades later, he wants the truth to come out about the...
Introducing...Lucky Boy
Gareth’s whole life has been defined by a relationship he had 35 years ago when, as a 14-year-old schoolboy, he fell in love with an attractive young teacher at his school. He spent most afternoons in...
Introducing... Rogue Russia: Agents of mayhem
Introducing... Rogue Russia: Agents of mayhemLast October, the head of MI5 said Russia was on a mission to cause "sustained mayhem" on European streets. It might be hard to spot at first, but it is...
Introducing..Crime Junkie - MURDERED: JonBenet Ramsay
We are partnering with Audiochuck, so that we can continue to bring our listeners brilliant investigations like Elon's Spies. You can join Tortoise as a member to get early and ad-free access to new...
A star is born | Elon's Spies Ep4
When Donald Trump declared victory in the US presidential election, he told an adoring crowd that "a star is born". He was referring to Elon Musk.After months of reporting on the billionaire's use of...
Amber | Elon's Spies Ep3
To his surprise, Alexi finds himself speaking to a local reporter at the Gold Coast Bulletin in Australia. It’s not where he thought the story would take him but it reveals a new case involving Elon...
Horrible human being | Elon's Spies Ep2
When Martin Tripp worked at Tesla, he took the advice of his boss Elon Musk - if you discover a problem, tell me about it. But when Martin shares his concerns, his world begins to spiral out of...
Pedo guy | Elon's Spies Ep1
In 2018, Vernon Unsworth is at the centre of a global news story. He plays a crucial role in rescuing a young football team who became trapped in a flooded cave system. Overnight, he is a hero. But...
Introducing...Elon's Spies
Elon Musk is one of the most powerful men in the world. He's a billionaire, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla and more. To his followers, he's a hero; to his critics, a far-right rabble rouser. But...
The lawsuit | Master Ep 7
Neil Gaiman faces a lawsuit in the United States. The first woman to come forward and accuse the best-selling author of sexual assault has filed a complaint against him and his estranged wife, Amanda...
The phone calls | Master Ep 6
A fifth woman comes forward with allegations against the author Neil Gaiman.Reporter: Paul Caruana Galizia and Rachel JohnsonProducer: Matt RussellAdditional reporting: Jess SwinburneOriginal music...
The NDAs | Master Ep 5
Almost a month since the investigation where two women came forward with allegations that the author Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted them - allegations he strenuously denied - more women have come...
The fan | Master Ep 4
The second woman to allege Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted her first met him as an 18-year-old fan. They began a consensual sexual relationship two years later. She alleges he was abusive and once...
The pond | Master Ep 3
New Zealand police tell the former nanny there isn’t enough evidence to actively pursue her sexual assault complaint against Neil Gaiman. He says he offered himself up for an interview with the...
The Whatsapps | Master Ep 2
The former nanny who alleges Neil Gaiman sexually assaulted her shares her WhatsApp messages with him. The messages appear friendly and affectionate. He says they’re evidence that she consented to sex...
The bath | Master Ep 1
Neil Gaiman is one of the world’s most successful authors. And one of the most loved. His works have been adapted for film, TV and the stage. Now two women, a former nanny and a fan, allege he...
Lightbulbs | Dangerous Memories Ep 6
After years of failed attempts, an expert flies over from America to help guide the parents on how to get their children back. But getting them home is not the end of the journey, for anyone caught up...
Who is Anne? | Dangerous Memories Ep 5
What motivated Anne in her work with the young women and did she believe what she was leading them to believe? In the search for answers, Grace turns to one of the only people who has heard Anne’s...
The ‘other person' | Dangerous Memories Ep 4
As Huey’s dependence on Anne grows, she becomes increasingly isolated from the outside world. Until, after a series of events over the summer of 2014, the police turn up and start to...
Do not say my name | Dangerous Memories Ep 3
After Huey cycled off into the distance, her mother had no idea what caused her to leave or why. She was in the dark about the extraordinary things Huey had come to believe about her own family. So...
The Seagull | Dangerous Memories Ep 2
Fipsi starts to question what really happened in the soft pink room, and how to help her friends who are still on their journeys with Anne Craig. But for one of them it’s already too late, as she...
That amazing healer lady | Dangerous Memories Ep 1
A group of well-heeled young English women hear about an intriguing therapist figure, who describes herself as a ‘teacher of personal development’. One by one they start to visit her for sessions and,...
Introducing...Dangerous Memories
Introducing...Dangerous MemoriesWhen Sarah watched her 23 year old daughter cycle away from her in Chelsea - a well-off corner of London - she had no idea it would be the last time they’d see each...
Devil's breath | The Gas Man Ep 6
In the final episode of the series, is the 40-year game of cat-and-mouse nearly over?To find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise app - for a listening experience curated by our...
Truth serum | The Gas Man Ep 5
In this episode, Chloe looks into what happened to The Gas Man when he arrived back in Germany as a fugitive – and investigates whether his trade with Iran ever really endedTo find out more about...
The other Gas Man | The Gas Man Ep 4
Chloe makes a startling discovery about another chemical trafficker that has consequences for her investigation. A Kurdish survivor of mustard gas shares her story.To find out more about...
The escape | The Gas Man Ep 3
The team persuades The Gas Man to step out from the shadows. He reveals the first big clue in the investigation to how he got away with it – and makes a surprising claim about his role in the caseTo...
The sting | The Gas Man Ep 2
Special Agent Bass has his target in his sights but he’s on another continent. If he wants him to talk he’ll need a clever plan – and maybe a bit of luckTo find out more about Tortoise:Download the...
The special agent | The Gas Man Ep 1
In the 1980s Special Agent Dennis Bass received a tip-off that changed the course of his career. 30 years on reporter Chloe Hadjimatheou sets out to solve the mystery of how an international fugitive...
Introducing...The Gas Man
Introducing...The Gas Man It starts with a tip-off. It’s the late 1980s and US Special Agent Dennis Bass is warned about a shipment of suspicious chemicals headed to a secret destination. So he...
Who Trolled Amber: Live
"Misinformation, disinformation, and trolling campaigns are not just a celebrity story. They are everywhere. They affect how we see reality online."In a year when four billion people are heading to...
Public enemy | Who Trolled Amber Ep 6
Johnny Depp’s maverick lawyer Adam Waldman finally comes under scrutiny. Alexi uncovers Waldman’s links to powerful figures and investigates his role in feeding online abuse. Can the team get to the...
The special relationship | Who Trolled Amber Ep 5
Could a nation state have deployed an online army to fight for Johnny Depp? Alexi discovers the curious relationship between the Hollywood star and an authoritarian world leader.All six episodes of...
Through the looking glass | Who Trolled Amber Ep 4
The astonishing case of a teenage killer helps lift the lid on how bot campaigns work – and offers the team a new path forward in the investigation.All six episodes of Who Trolled Amber are now...
Into the dark | Who Trolled Amber Ep 3
Disinformation experts come back with some startling results. The story begins to cross continents as the team find evidence of a global campaign.All six episodes of Who Trolled Amber are now...
Gold dust | Who Trolled Amber Ep 2
The team talk to a Hollywood insider and travel to Florida in search of their first big clue: a treasure trove of data that might show what happened to Amber Heard online – and who was behind...
Missing evidence | Who Trolled Amber Ep 1
Depp v Heard was the celebrity trial of the century. He won, she lost. But was Amber Heard the target of an organised trolling campaign?All six episodes of Who Trolled Amber are now available to...
Introducing: Who Trolled Amber?
Introducing… Who Trolled Amber?What comes to mind when you think of Amber Heard? Liar? Survivor? Narcissist? Millions of us watched the celebrity trial of the century, Depp v Heard, in 2022. Amber...
The confidence game | Walter's War Ep 4
Things begin to fall apart. Only a few years after Rebellion Defense’s rapid rise, it appears to be in trouble. The rebellion has failed to take off. In the secretive world of the military and...
The rebellion | Walter's War Ep 3
Oliver’s company, Rebellion Defense, is on the rise. In 2019, it is full of promise and pumped with cash, trading on the hype around what’s possible with AI in war. It attracts influential backers and...
The secret life of Walter Mitty | Walter's War Ep 2
Basia begins unravelling the ‘tissue of lies’, but it becomes clear that some of Oliver’s claims exist in the grey area, and in the secretive world in which he works, it’s hard to sift fact from...
An English gentleman | Walter's War Ep 1
This story starts in 2012. Oliver is a dashing young diplomat, working in Afghanistan. Charlie is a graduate newly arrived in London, trying to find her feet in the world. The pair meet online and she...
Introducing: Walter's War
It’s London, 2012. Oliver is a dashing diplomat. Charlie is a young graduate trying to find her feet in the world. They meet online and she falls in love. With his encouragement, Charlie applies for a...
The movement | Dr Anti-vax Ep 3
Radicalised by Covid, the anti-vax movement goes mainstream – and RFK Jr emerges as a new figurehead.You can find out more about Tortoise:Download the Tortoise audio app - for a listening experience...
The rock star | Dr Anti-vax Ep 2
Andrew Wakefield becomes a superstar thanks to the support of celebrities and an army of mothers – and establishes anti-vax as a moneymaker.This is part 2 of a 3-part series - to listen exclusively to...
The fall | Dr Anti-vax Ep 1
A British doctor sparks a global health panic about the safety of vaccines. But even though his work is discredited, he lights a fire that becomes the modern anti-vax movement. Hosted by Alexi...
Introducing: Dr Anti-vax
Introducing Dr Anti-vax: the making of a modern panicHow did the anti-vax movement become so mainstream?25 years ago, a British doctor Dr Andrew Wakefield sparked a global vaccine panic. Today, Alexi...
About this Podcast
Copyright
Tortoise Media
Language
en