Episodit
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We delve into one of the most disturbing familicides in South African history — the Etwatwa family murders.
On May 23, 2013, a 14-year-old boy in Johannesburg’s East Rand took an axe to his mother, grandmother, six-year-old brother, and four-month-old sister. Four lives ended in one night. A quiet street turned crime scene. A community left reeling. And a nation asking: how could a child commit such horror?
We unpack the chilling events, the whispers of satanism and abuse, and the state's struggle to understand a boy turned killer. With little media coverage and fewer answers, a small team of investigators worked in the shadows to piece together a case that still haunts many today.
⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence and emotionally raw interviews. Some language reflects the trauma experienced by those involved. Listener discretion is strongly advised.
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Join us on YouTube for early access and exclusive content.
Become a patron: patreon.com/profilerafrica
Send a Super Like and get a shoutout next week.
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Subscribe, rate, and review — it helps others find us.
Got thoughts or questions for Gerard and the team? Email: [email protected]
#SouthAfricanSerial #EtwatwaMurders #TrueCrimePodcast #ProfilerAfrica #Familicide #JuvenileKiller #CrimeStories #DifficultTruths
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This is the case that chilled Johannesburg to the bone.
Between 1989 and 1992, Kobus Geldenhuys — a police officer sworn to protect — unleashed a wave of terror across the city. He raped, murdered, and broke into homes while wearing the badge. By the time it was over, five women were dead, and a community had lost all trust in the uniform.
This week, we dig into how Geldenhuys hid in plain sight, and the twisted psychology that drove his crimes. We’re joined by journalist Janine Lazarus, who worked with police during the hunt — even acting as bait to help catch him. Her story is raw, riveting, and unlike anything you’ve heard.
🎧 Early Access: Thursday 8 May (YouTube Channel Members)
🎧 Public Release: Thursday 15 May, 8AM CAT⚠️ Listener Warning: Contains descriptions of sexual violence, trauma, and firsthand accounts that may disturb some listeners. Discretion is advised.
💥 Want More?
Unlock early episodes and bonus extras:
👉 Patreon.com/ProfilerAfrica
👉 Join on YouTube for exclusive perks.📩 Have a question for Gerard?
Email: [email protected]#NorwoodKiller #SouthAfricanSerial #ProfilerAfrica #KobusGeldenhuys #TrueCrimeSA #JanineLazarus #SerialKillers #SAPS #TrueCrimePodcast
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Puuttuva jakso?
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Psychologist. Intelligence specialist. Co-author of Killer Stories. This week, Paul and Gerard sit down with Brin Hodgskiss for a heavyweight conversation on the dark art of criminal profiling — from Johannesburg to the UK.
Brin’s career spans burglary to terrorism, serial rape to murder, with 15 years in British law enforcement after starting out in SAPS. Now with the NHS, he brings that same insight to storytelling, consulting on the psychology of narrative and transformation.
We get into:
Profiling: SA vs UK — what’s different, what worksThe inner monologues of serial offendersInterviewing violent criminals (hint: it’s nothing like Netflix)How story drives both crime and rehabilitationWhat police psychology can teach us outside the interrogation room🎧 Killer Stories: Conversations with South African Serial Murderers is out now.
Coming Next Week: Farm Murders, Fear & FactsWe’re live with Chris de Kock — former SAPS head of Crime Information Analysis — cutting through the noise on rural violence.
We unpack:
What the stats on farm murders really sayThe roots of the “white genocide” mythWho’s most at risk of violent crime in SAHow SAPS is shifting its rural crime strategy📺 Watch it live on YouTube | Tues 27 May, 8PM CAT on Youtube
Support Profiler Africa
Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafricaBecome a YouTube Member for bonus contentDrop a Super Like and we’ll shout you outFollow & Subscribe📱 Instagram | Twitter | Facebook🎙️ Spotify | Apple Podcast🌍 plotshiftcrime.co.za
💬 Got a question for Gerard or our guests? Email us: [email protected]
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No case breakdown. No fluff. Just a gripping conversation with one of the world’s top arson and bombing experts.
We’re joined by Ed Nordskog—retired arson/bomb investigator for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, FBI instructor, US Marine vet, and author of six essential books on fire-related crime. With over 2,100 arson cases under his belt and profiles on dozens of serial arsonists, Ed is the real deal.
Together with Paul and Gerard, he unpacks:
– What makes a serial arsonist tick– How investigators track killers who burn– The brutal realities of fire death scenes– Why arson is one of the most overlooked serial crime types in the worldIf you’re into criminal profiling, forensic psych, or just want to hear from someone who’s literally walked through fire for justice—this one’s for you.
🎙️ Support Us:Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica
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YouTube |
plotshiftcrime.co.za
#EdNordskog #ProfilerAfrica #TrueCrime #ArsonInvestigation #SerialArsonists #ForensicPsychology #FireSetters #TrueCrimeInterview #CriminalProfiling #CrimeExperts #GerardLabuschagne #PaulLlewellyn #CrimePodcast #ArsonDetective #TrueCrimeCommunity #ForensicScience #RealCrimeStories #LawEnforcementInsights #CriminalInvestigation #CrimeContent
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What’s it like creating true crime content in South Africa? This week, we sit down with YouTuber and storyteller Tshego Paledi (44K+ subscribers) for a raw, behind-the-scenes look at life in the local crime content game.
No case breakdowns—just an honest convo about the highs, hate, ethics, and emotional toll of documenting real stories of violence, injustice, and survival.
From the cases that changed her to the criticism she faces, Tshego joins Paul and Gerard to unpack what it really means to tell the told and untold in a country where crime is personal, political, and often painful.
A must-listen for anyone in the true crime space—or anyone who consumes it.
🌟 Support the Show:
Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica📲 Follow Profiler Africa:
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | plotshiftcrime.co.za📲 Follow Tshego Paledi:
Instagram: @tshegopaledi | TikTok: @tellingthetolduntold | Twitter: @tshego_paledi#TrueCrimeCreators #ProfilerAfrica #TshegoPaledi #TellingTheToldAndUntold #CrimeContent #SouthAfricanYouTube #GerardLabuschagne #ForensicPsychology #TrueCrimeCommunityChatGPT said:
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Series Description:South African Serial is a 12-part true crime anthology series. Each episode investigates one unforgettable South African crime.
Episode Description:In our first episode, we unpack the disturbing case of Stewart “Boetie Boer” Wilken — one of South Africa’s most dangerous serial killers. With a history of necrophilia, cannibalism, and a terrifying God complex, Wilken confessed to 12 murders and was convicted of 7.
This episode draws from exclusive case files and a rare two-day prison interview conducted in 2006. It’s a harrowing journey into the making of a monster.
New episodes drop weekly — first for members, then a week later for YouTube and all podcast platforms.
Next episode premieres 14 May on Spotify and all major podcast apps.🌟 Support the Show• Join our Patreon at patreon.com/profilerafrica to support independent crime storytelling.
➡️ Engage with Us• Follow the podcast and leave a review — it helps others find the show.• Share this episode with a fellow true crime fan.• Send us your thoughts or questions: [email protected]
#ProfilerAfrica #TrueCrimePodcast #BoetieBoer#SerialKillers #CriminalPsychology #SAJustice #SouthAfricanSerial
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This week: one of the rarest — and most horrifying — crimes on earth. A baby ripped from the womb in a violent act of theft.
We go deep into the case of Loretta Cook, a 24-year-old from Toekomsrus, whose web of lies led to murder and left a newborn fighting for life.
South Africa has seen not one, but at least three known caesarean kidnappings — an almost unheard-of crime globally. Why here? Why now?
Gerard Labuschagne and Paul Llewellyn unpack:
Why women fake pregnancies and kill to make them real
How these crimes are planned, not impulsive
What forensic psychology reveals about killers who seem "normal"
And how society’s pressure to be a mother can turn deadly
🔪 This is true crime at its most disturbing — and most revealing.
💡 Support Profiler Africa• Join us on Patreon → patreon.com/profilerafrica• Become a YouTube Member for extras• Hit Super Like — every bit helps
📩 Got questions for Gerard?Email: [email protected]
🎧 Listen, follow, share.Profiler Africa — wherever you get your true crime fix.
#ProfilerAfrica #CaesareanKidnapping #TrueCrime #ForensicPsychology #FoetalAbduction #SouthAfricanCrime #CriminalProfiling
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He murdered his family with an axe — thencalmly called emergency services like nothing happened.
We're digging into one of South Africa’s mostshocking crimes: the brutal axe murders committed by 20-year-old Henri van Breda.
In 2015, inside the family’s luxury estate inStellenbosch, Henri killed his parents and brother—and nearly murdered his teenage sister, who somehow survived. The aftermath? A strange 911 call, self-inflicted wounds, and a trial that exposed chilling levels of control, detachment, and deceit.
What turns a privileged young man into a familyannihilator? What does the psychology say about motive, manipulation, and remorse? And how close did he come to getting away with it?
We unpack the twisted mind behind the massacre,the forensic psychology, and the courtroom battle that followed. With expert insight from Dr. Gerard Labuschagne, former head of SAPS’ Investigative Psychology Unit.
🔥 Support the Show→ Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica→ Become a YouTube Member for extras→ Drop a Super Like on YouTube — we’ll shout you out in the next episode!
📬 Get Involved→ Subscribe on YouTube and hit the bell→ Email us: [email protected]→ Share the show. Help us keep South African true crime alive.
#ProfilerAfrica #HenriVanBreda #TrueCrimeSA#ForensicPsychology #FamilyMurder #CriminalMind #SouthAfricaCrime #GerardLabuschagne
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We're stepping out of the morgue and into the mind — with one of the world’s top forensic psychologists.
This week on Profiler Africa, our guest is Dr. Helinä Häkkänen, a Finnish powerhouse whose work has shaped war crimes trials, courtroom psychology, and criminal investigations from South Africa to The Hague. With over 60 publications and a career advising the ICC and European law enforcement, she’s the real deal — no drama, just science.
We unpack what real profiling looks like — far from the TV nonsense. From prepping witnesses for court using cutting-edge trauma techniques, to the psychological anatomy of sex crimes and stalking, Dr. Häkkänen lays it bare. Plus: what it’s like working on the frontline of war crime prosecutions, and the ethical minefield of being an expert witness.
Forget the trench coats and catchphrases. This is profiling, unplugged.
🎙 Support the Show• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica• Smash that Super Like — we’ll shout you out next week.
📡 Stay Connected• Subscribe on YouTube + hit the bell.• Questions for Gerard or our guests? Email: [email protected]
#ProfilerAfrica #TrueCrimePodcast #ForensicPsychology #CriminalProfiling #DrHelinäHäkkänen #WarCrimes #ExpertWitness #PsychologyOfCrime #BehindTheProfile
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In this episode of Profiler Africa, we take a deep dive into the terrifying case of Stewart Wilken, South Africa's most notorious serial killer. Wilken's killing spree, which spanned the early 1990s, left a trail of horrific murders that shocked the nation. Through an in-depth analysis of his background, his brutal crimes, and the dark psychology behind his actions, we uncover the twisted motivations that drove his reign of terror.
From his troubled childhood in Boksburg to his descent into violence, we’ll explore how Wilken’s traumatic experiences shaped his need for power, control, and revenge. We’ll also break down the disturbing details of his crimes, including necrophilia and cannibalism, and discuss how his chilling confessions and obsessive behavior contributed to his infamy.
🔍 Get a rare look into the mind of one of South Africa's most infamous killers and the psychological factors that led to his violent rampage.
📢 Support the Show:Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube!
Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime, courtroom drama, and investigative journalism.#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #StewartWilken #ForensicPsychology #CriminalMind #SAJustice #PsychologyOfMurder #CrimeSceneInvestigation
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In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Colonel (Ret.) Kirsten Clark, former SAPS Investigative Psychologist and Criminal Behaviour Specialist, to discuss the chilling case of Kyle Ruiters. Clark conducted a psychological assessment of Ruiters in 2019, offering rare insight into his mindset, disturbing obsessions, and the dark psychological profile that emerged from her report.
Ruiters, who brutally murdered and dismembered his victim, displayed traits of narcissism, manipulation, and a dangerous preoccupation with control and power. In tonight’s episode, we’ll unpack Clark’s findings, from his early childhood issues to his fascination with serial killers and his disturbing lack of empathy. We’ll also explore the broader implications of personality disorders in violent offenders and what this case reveals about criminal psychology in South Africa.
🔍 Get an inside look into the mind of a killer and the complex psychological factors that drive violent crime.
📢 Support the Show:
Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content. Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes. Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube!
Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime, courtroom drama, and investigative journalism.#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #KyleRuiters #ForensicPsychology #CriminalMind #SAJustice #PsychologyOfMurder #CrimeSceneInvestigation
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In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Jana Marx, author of The Krugersdorp Cult Killings: Inside Cecilia Steyn's Reign of Terror, as she takes us through the disturbing story of the Electus Per Deus cult. Between 2012 and 2016, a group led by Cecilia Steyn carried out a series of brutal murders, driven by religious extremism, manipulation, and revenge. Steyn used her influence to brainwash followers into believing they were on a divine mission, leading to a chilling and violent rampage.
Jana’s book exposes the twisted inner workings of this cult, and in this episode, we’ll walk you through the gruesome details of the murders, the complex investigation, and the eventual trial that brought the perpetrators to justice.
🔍 Get an inside look into the shocking world of cults, brainwashing, and the devastating impact of their actions.
📢 Support the Show:• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.
🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime, courtroom drama, and investigative journalism.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #CultKillings #SAJustice #CrimeReporting #InvestigativeJournalism #ElectusPerDeus #CeciliaSteyn
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What really happens inside South Africa’s courtrooms? What is it like to cover the country’s most gripping murder trials?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we sit down with Jana Marx, an award-winning journalist and true crime author, to uncover the hidden world of crime reporting. From high-profile cases to shocking behind-the-scenes moments, Jana shares what it takes to bring the truth to light.
🔍 Get an insider’s look at true crime journalism, the challenges of reporting on brutal cases, and the stories that have stayed with her over the years.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime, courtroom drama, and investigative journalism.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #CourtroomSecrets #SAJustice #CrimeReporting #CriminalMinds #InvestigativeJournalism #InsideTheCourtroom
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The Oscar Pistorius trial remains one of the most infamous criminal cases in South African history. Twelve years after Reeva Steenkamp’s tragic death, the case continues to spark debate about justice, privilege, and rehabilitation.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne, who was part of the prosecution team, joins Paul Llewellyn to break down the facts. What really happened on that fateful night? What do we know for certain? And how did the case evolve through the legal system—from trial to sentencing to parole?
🔊 Listen in as we unpack the key moments, forensic evidence, and legal battles that shaped this case.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime and forensic analysis to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime, forensic psychology, and the justice system.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #OscarPistorius #ReevaSteenkamp #JusticeSystem #ForensicAnalysis #SouthAfricanCrime #CriminalPsychology #ParoleDebate #InvestigativeJournalism
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In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by one of South Africa’s most respected legal minds, Gerrie Nel.
With a career spanning decades, Nel has prosecuted some of the country’s most high-profile cases, including the conviction of former police chief Jackie Selebi and leading the Oscar Pistorius murder trial. We explore his early years as a prosecutor, the challenges of working within South Africa’s complex legal and political landscape, and the lasting impact of his work on the justice system.
From his time with the Scorpions to his current work with AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, Nel offers unparalleled insight into the evolving landscape of South African law and what it takes to fight for justice in a system under pressure.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime and legal analysis to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for in-depth discussions on true crime, forensic psychology, and legal insights.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #GerrieNel #OscarPistorius #JusticeSystem #SAJustice #CrimeAndLaw #CriminalProsecution #InvestigativeJournalism
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In 1994, ex-cop Marius van den Heever was convicted of three brutal murders, arson, and weapons theft. Sentenced to life, he spent decades behind bars—until 2018, when the High Court overturned his denied parole and set him free.
How does a convicted killer walk free? What changed?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, Paul Llewellyn and forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne break down the case. Gerard personally assessed van den Heever for parole in 2014, offering rare insight into a man who convinced the system he was no longer a threat.
We dissect the crimes, the parole process, and the psychology behind "rehabilitation."
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime and forensic psychology.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #ParoleDebate #JusticeSystem #ForensicAnalysis #SouthAfricanCrime #CriminalPsychology #MurderInvestigation #CrimeAndPunishment #SAJustice #CrimeDocumentary #InvestigativeJournalism #PsychologyOfCrime #CriminalMind
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In October 2021, respected pastor Liezel de Jager returned home from her morning jog—only to be ambushed and murdered just steps from her front door. The attack was brutal, the motive unclear. Years later, her husband, Werner de Jager, was arrested for the crime—but before he could stand trial, he took his own life.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we delve into the psychological complexities of intimate partner homicide. What drives a spouse to kill? Why do some offenders display post-crime remorse, while others show none?
Joining us is criminologist Naomi Griffiths, a former SAPS investigator with years of experience in serious and violent crime. Together, we analyze the forensic details, behavioral red flags, and the justice system’s handling of the case.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into true crime and forensic psychology.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #ForensicFiles #PsychologyOfMurder #SAJustice #CriminalMind #IntimatePartnerHomicide
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In 2002, forensic psychologist Gerard Labuschagne walked into his first crime scene—a brutal murder that would lead to the capture of Axe Killer Jose da Silva. But what happened next was even more chilling.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we take you inside the case with rare, unnerving audio of Gerard’s interview with the killer—recorded just hours after his arrest, in the very bathroom where the murder took place. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the mind of a murderer and the investigative process that ended his reign of terror.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for exclusive true crime content and forensic insights.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanCrime #ForensicFiles #CrimeSceneInvestigation #PsychologyOfMurder #SAJustice #CriminalMind
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Forensic pathologists uncover the final truths that the dead leave behind. Their work tells the untold stories of crime, tragedy, and justice—one autopsy at a time.
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we sit down with Dr. Hestelle van Staden, a forensic pathologist dedicated to deciphering the secrets held within the human body. From high-profile murder cases to overlooked tragedies, she reveals the reality of unnatural death in South Africa and the vital role forensic pathology plays in the pursuit of truth.
Dr. van Staden is the author of Outopsie: Bloed Vertaal ’n Storie and features in the TV series Outopsie, bringing her knowledge to the public in a powerful way.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime and forensic science stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into forensic science and true crime investigations.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #ForensicPathology #SouthAfricanTrueCrime #HestelleVanStaden #BodyOfEvidence #Autopsy #CrimeInvestigation
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Forensic pathology is at the heart of criminal investigations—determining causes of death, uncovering hidden evidence, and bringing crucial facts to court. But what really happens behind the autopsy table?
In this episode of Profiler Africa, we’re joined by Dr. Shakeera Holland, Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine and Pathology at the University of the Witwatersrand. With years of experience overseeing hundreds of cases annually for the Gauteng Department of Health, Dr. Holland provides expert insight into the challenges, advancements, and real-world impact of forensic pathology.
From unraveling complex deaths to the evolving science behind autopsies, this discussion sheds light on how meticulous forensic work helps solve crimes and deliver justice.
📢 Support the Show:
• Join our Patreon: patreon.com/profilerafrica for exclusive content.
• Follow & Subscribe: Stay updated on new episodes.
• Leave a Review: Help us bring more South African true crime and forensic science stories to the world.🎥 Watch full episodes on YouTube! Visit Profiler Africa on YouTube and subscribe for expert insights into forensic science and true crime investigations.
#TrueCrime #ProfilerAfrica #SouthAfricanTrueCrime #ForensicScience #ForensicPathology #CrimeInvestigation #ForensicExperts
- Näytä enemmän
