Inside Detective Units: Generalist vs Specialized

No Witness? No Confession? No Problem.

When people hear the phrase "circumstantial evidence," they often assume it means investigators don't really know what happened. In reality, circumstantial evidence plays an important role in many criminal investigations and prosecutions. Crimes frequently occur without eyewitnesses, and confessions are less common than many people think. Instead, investigators piece together timelines, forensic findings, digital evidence, behavior, and other facts to determine what the evidence supports. Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast] Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives [https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives] Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast [https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast] Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Cross Examined #9: A Conversation with a SANE Nurse

Note: We experienced some audio corruption during the first several minutes of this episode. We apologize for the rough audio quality at the beginning. It clears up shortly afterward. This week, Dave and Steve release a special edition of Cross Examined, a Patreon series where listeners join the show and ask questions directly. This episode features Angela, one of the show's Lead Detectives on Patreon. Angela has been a registered nurse for 30 years and recently became a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Together, they discuss the critical role SANE nurses play in sexual assault investigations, from caring for victims to collecting evidence and working alongside law enforcement. The conversation explores trauma-informed interviewing, memory recall, delayed reporting, anonymous reporting, cultural barriers that can affect reporting, and the realities of investigating strangulation cases. Angela explains the examination process, the challenges of evidence collection, and they talk about why evidence is not always present even when a crime occurred. Dave, Steve, and Angela also discuss false reports, mental health considerations, the role of technology in modern investigations, and what comes next after a career in investigations. If you enjoy this episode and would like access to more Cross Examined conversations, bonus content, live streams, behind-the-scenes updates, ad-free episodes, early access, and opportunities to join the podcast yourself, visit the Patreon link below. Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives [https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives] Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast] Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast [https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast] Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Just Because We Can

In policing, there are moments where an officer may be legally justified, backed by department policy, and tactically correct, but still ask themselves: just because we can, does that mean we should? The episode explores the tension between procedure and empathy, and how experience changes the way officers view enforcement, suffering, and the people they encounter. Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast] Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives [https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives] Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast [https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast] Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Mental Health Awareness Isn’t Enough

Dave and Steve take an honest look at why conversations about police mental health continue to repeat themselves year after year. During Mental Health Awareness Month, they break down the reality that most officers already know these struggles exist, yet many departments and individuals still feel stuck in the same cycle. From emotional suppression and command presence to trust gaps, surface-level wellness initiatives, and the fear of speaking up, they examine how the culture of policing was built and why changing it is far more complicated than simply raising awareness. Mental Health Resources National Mental Health & Crisis Resources 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or Text: 988 24/7 confidential support for mental health crises, emotional distress, substance abuse concerns, or suicidal thoughts. Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 Free 24/7 confidential crisis counseling by text message. SAMHSA National Helpline Call: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) Free and confidential treatment referral and information service for mental health and substance use support. Available 24/7. Law Enforcement / First Responder Resources CopLine Call: 1-800-267-5463 24/7 confidential hotline staffed by retired law enforcement officers for officers and their families. Safe Call Now Call: 206-459-3020 Confidential 24/7 crisis referral service for law enforcement, first responders, and their families. ResponderStrong Mental health, PTSD, stress, and resilience resources specifically for first responders. https://responderstrong.org/ Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast] Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives [https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives] Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast [https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast] Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Squad Meeting: May 2026

In this May 2026 Squad Meeting, we break down our full weekend at PopCon Indy 2026 from Friday through Sunday. We talk about the convention, the PopCon Podcast Awards, and the incredible conversations we had throughout the weekend. We also share some funny stories, memorable moments, and some of the great food we tried while we were in Indianapolis. Most importantly, we want to thank all of you. None of this would be possible without the support of our listeners, Patreon members, family, friends, coworkers, and everyone who continues to support The Detectives Podcast. We are incredibly grateful to PopCon for having us. We also appreciate every person who stopped by the booth, asked questions, shared stories, or spent time talking with us. Thank you for making this such an unforgettable weekend! Want to see exclusive behind-the-scenes bonus pictures from the weekend? Click the link below and join our Patreon for bonus content, extra photos, and more! Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast [https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcast] Join us on Patreon for early access, ad-free episodes and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives [https://www.patreon.com/thedetectives] Shop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast [https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcast] Directly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives [https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectives] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].