The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates

The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates

The Observer
  • Apple Podcasts Logo New Zealand
    Trophy icon 9
  • Apple Podcasts Logo Australia
    Trophy icon 24
  • Apple Podcasts Logo Ireland
    Trophy icon 35
  • Apple Podcasts Logo United Kingdom
    Trophy icon 38
  • Apple Podcasts Logo Malta
    Trophy icon 41
  • Apple Podcasts Logo New Zealand
    Trophy icon 153
  • Apple Podcasts Logo Finland
    Trophy icon 180

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where can you listen?

Apple Podcasts Logo Spotify Logo Podtail Logo Google Podcasts Logo RSS

Episodes

Questions & Answers

How many episodes are there of The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates ?

There are 101 episodes avaiable of The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates .

What is The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates about?

We have categorized The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates as:

  • Society & Culture
  • News
  • Documentary
  • News Commentary

Where can you listen to The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates ?

The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates is available, among others places, on:

  • Spotify
  • Apple Podcasts
  • Podtail
  • Google Podcasts

When did The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates start?

The first episode of The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates that we have available was released 16 October 2021.

Who creates the podcast The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates ?

The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates is produced and created by The Observer.