Disclaimer: This episode discusses Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Listener discretion is strongly advised.In the launch of their mini-series, The War We Owe Them, Dave and Steve confront one of the darkest threats facing our world, Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Unlike the wars on poverty, drugs, or terrorism, this is a war society has yet to fight with everything we have, despite its global scale and devastating impact.Dave and Steve break down what CSAM really is, and why calling it “child pornography” dangerously minimizes the reality of these crimes. Drawing from their experience working these types of cases, they discuss the investigative process, from treating images and videos as crime scenes to the painstaking work of documentation. They examine how predators operate, the rise of AI-generated CSAM, and the psychological toll these cases take on investigators.They also highlight the role of organizations like NCMEC, explore the importance of language and advocacy, and explain how offenders use the dark web to share material and exploit children. Above all, they stress why law enforcement cannot win this battle alone. Ending CSAM requires all of us, educating, protecting, and refusing to look away. This series will be difficult to hear, but it is necessary, because we owe it to our children to fight this war against CSAM.Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcastJoin us on Patreon for early access and ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectivesShop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcastDirectly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectiveshttps://www.missingkids.org/homeACLU Represents Man-Boy Love Group - ABC NewsMurdered boy's parents sue North American Man/Boy Love AssociationACLU to Defend Pedophile Group | WIREDhttps://www.boston.com/news/crime/2020/07/01/charles-jaynes-parole-hearing-jeffrey-curley/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:26:07
AI and Criminal Investigations
Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping modern law enforcement, and detectives are on the front lines, figuring out where it helps and where it hurts. In this episode, Dave and Steve dive deep into how AI is changing criminal investigations.They start with facial recognition, how it’s evolved, how detectives use it for suspect identification, and the tough balance between public safety and a potential police state. From there, the detectives examine predictive policing software, breaking down both its possibilities and the real-world failures that led to bans in some cities.The conversation moves into the world of cell phone forensic dumps and social media returns, where AI tools are saving detectives countless hours by sorting through overwhelming amounts of digital data. They also look at license plate readers, traffic cameras, and how AI is speeding up every day investigative work like report writing.The detectives take on the dangers of AI deepfakes in criminal cases, and how these fakes spill over into courtrooms, affecting attorneys, judges, juries, and public opinion. Finally, they tackle the bigger picture: how dangerous AI could become if it replaces human discretion, what the future of policing might look like with tech like brain implants, and why legislation will be one of the toughest battles ahead.Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcastJoin us on Patreon for early access and ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectivesShop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcastDirectly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectivesLinks:Colorado dentist found guilty of fatally poisoning wife - ABC NewsCheerleader's mom accused of making "deepfake" videos of daughter's rivals - CBS NewsACLU v. Clearview AI | American Civil Liberties UnionThe new lawsuit that shows facial recognition is officially a civil rights issue | MIT Technology ReviewSanta Cruz is first U.S. city to ban predictive policing - Los Angeles TimesChicago police no longer using ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology; Mayor Brandon Johnson exploring other options - ABC7 ChicagoChicago-Police-Departments-Use-of-ShotSpotter-Technology.pdfSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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1:16:04
Report Writing
In this episode, Dave and Steve dive into one of the most important and often overlooked aspects of police work: report writing. A report can not only make or break a criminal case, but it can also impact an officer’s entire career.They share mistakes they’ve witnessed over the years and explain how something written today can come back to haunt an officer years later in court. They break down what makes a strong report, why it still matters even with body cameras, and why reports must make sense to everyone in the criminal justice system, not just fellow officers.They reflect on how report writing has evolved, from the old days of “observed drunk, stopped drunk, and arrested drunk” to today’s AI-assisted report writing programs.At the end of the day, police officers owe it to themselves, the system, and the public they serve to get the facts right, document the truth, and keep the record clear. Arresting someone means taking away their freedom, a serious responsibility that must be handled with the utmost care and supported by thorough documentation. That’s why solid, accurate report writing is not just paperwork, it is a cornerstone of the job.Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcastJoin us on Patreon for early access and ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectivesShop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcastDirectly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectivesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Bunker in Bibb: Part 1
In this special episode, we shift gears to cover a deeply disturbing and ongoing case out of Brent, Alabama where children were recently rescued from a suspected human trafficking operation. We break down what happened in Bibb County, including the charges filed, key moments from the Sheriff’s press conference, and our own perspective as detectives. We also take time to explain what human trafficking really is, how cases like this impact law enforcement officers, and why this is not just a local tragedy but part of a much larger issue. At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: protecting children is a responsibility we all share.Connect with The Detectives Podcast: https://linktr.ee/thedetectivespodcastJoin us on Patreon for early access and ad-free episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thedetectivesShop official merch: https://www.tritonpublishing.net/thedetectivespodcastDirectly support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/thedetectiveshttp://www.cityofbrentalabama.com/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/seven-charged-child-sex-ring-run-alabama-concrete-bunker-sheriff-says-rcna221191https://www.wvtm13.com/article/alabama-bunker-bibb-county-child-sex-traffick-arrest-suspects/65501354https://alabamareflector.com/2023/06/01/alabama-house-approves-bill-increasing-penalties-for-involvement-in-criminal-enterprises/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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52:14
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52:14
Interviews and Interrogations: Part 2
In the second half of this deep-dive, Steve and Dave get into the real-world techniques and challenges of interviewing and interrogating suspects. They touch on structured methods like REID and PEACE, but emphasize how much of the craft is learned through observation, experience, and knowing what actually works in the room.They break down the importance of listening to what a suspect says (and doesn’t say), picking up on body language, microexpressions, and story changes when confronted with evidence. Planning ahead, anticipating responses, and reading the room become a form of mental gymnastics.The episode explores what detectives are really hoping to get from an interrogation: confessions, admissions, or valuable contradictions, and how even without a confession, a strong case can still be made. They share how they handle lies, deflections, and suspects who bring attorneys into the room, and why pushing too hard can backfire.False confessions are also front and center: who is most at risk, how they happen, and how detectives can avoid getting them. Steve and Dave bust movie myths about dramatic confessions and explain why most interrogations don’t end in handcuffs. They also reflect on some of their most difficult interrogations and what those experiences taught them.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Join Dave and Steve, two seasoned investigators with over 35 years of combined law enforcement experience, as they pull back the curtain on the criminal justice system. From real case breakdowns to discussions on the inner workings of investigations, they bring firsthand insight into the realities of police work—the good, the bad, and the untold.Expect unfiltered perspectives, expert analysis, and candid conversations with professionals in the field. While they take their work seriously, they don’t take themselves too seriously, so buckle up for honest discussions, dark humor, and a no-nonsense look at the world of criminal investigations.
Canada - english