Inside Forensic Science

Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science

Winner of Outstanding Indie Podcast True Crime Awards 2026 and Best True Crime, Mystery & Dark Stuff Podcast at The Scottish Podcast Awards 2026

Each series of Inside Forensic Science explores a crime where forensic science has played a major role. The story is told through the narrator Pennie Stuart and interviews with forensic science, law and police experts.

Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science at the University of Dundee. The podcast was funded by The Leverhulme Trust.

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21 episodes
Updated Yesterday
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Episodes21

Newest first

Yesterday · 39 min
Series 5 Episode 3: Infernal Machines
Content warning: This series discusses the use of explosives for terrorism. Episodes will contain sounds of explosions, discussions of terrorism, statements from victims and descriptions of injuries as well as other content you may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. The explosion at Tradeston Gas Works on that night in Glasgow January 1883 was only one of many. Just two hours after the first explosion, a party of six spot a strange box in the middle of a bridge on Possil Road. Was this explosive box linked to the earlier explosion at the gas works? What can forensic science tell us about these events, the perpetrators behind them and their goals? Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart. The researchers are Heather Doran and Clara Morriss.
July 27 · 43 min
Series 5 Episode 2: By Design
Content warning: This series discusses the use of explosives for terrorism. Episodes will contain sounds of explosions, statements from victims and descriptions of injuries as well as other content you may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. It is 1883 in Glasgow, Scotland and Colonel Viviene Majendie has determined that the explosion at the Tradeston Gas Works on 20 January was no accident. What evidence led him to this conclusion and what could have triggered this explosion? In episode 2 we ask for input from modern day forensic experts as we discuss this pivotal case in British Crime History. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart. The researchers are Heather Doran and Clara Morriss.
July 20 · 41 min
Series 5 Episode 1: The Gas Works
Content warning: This series discusses the use of explosives for terrorism. Episodes will contain sounds of explosions, statements from victims and descriptions of injuries as well as other content you may find disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. On the night of 20 January 1883, a series of explosions rung out in the city of Glasgow, Scotland. Was this an accident or an act of malice? The top minds of the 19th century raced to deduce the answer. In this episode we will follow the investigation of Colonel Vivien Majendie, the first Chief Inspector of Explosives in the UK, as he determines the cause of the explosion at Tradeston Gas Works. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart. The researchers are Heather Doran and Clara Morriss.
June 24 · 1 min
Inside Forensic Science Series 5: The Dynamite Detectives
In the fifth series of the award winning Inside Forensic Science podcast, we travel to 1883 to hear how a series of explosions in Glasgow city shaped how we investigate terrorism today.
Sep 10, 2025 · 42 min
Series 4: Episode 6: The Verdict
Now that all the evidence is gathered, it becomes the role of prosecutors and expert witnesses to present their evidence in the courtroom. In the final episode of this series, we explore what happened in the courtroom and what became of the culprit. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Sep 3, 2025 · 36 min
Series 4: Episode 5: Written in Blood
Content warning: mentions of domestic violence and discussions of dead bodies, decomposition and dismemberment. Having arrested a suspect for the murders, investigators shift their attention to the potential crime scene in 2 Dalton Square, Lancashire. What did forensic scientists find and what does it tell us about what happened to Mary and Isabella? In episode 5, we discuss what evidence was found at the Ruxton home and what it can tell us about what happened to the two women. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Aug 27, 2025 · 32 min
Series 4: Episode 4: But is it Mary?
Content warnings: mentions of domestic violence and discussions of dead bodies, decomposition and dismemberment. How can investigators be sure that the bodies found in Moffat were those of Mary Jane Rogerson and Isabella Ruxton? Who did this to them and why? In episode 4, we discuss more of the forensic science techniques that were used to identify the victims of the Moffat murders. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Aug 20, 2025 · 42 min
Series 4: Episode 3: The Maid and her Mistress
Content warning: discussions of dead bodies, decomposition and dismemberment Investigators initially thought the two bodies from Moffat were of a man and woman. However, further investigation leads police to suspect that they may be mistaken. Not long before the bodies were found a young maid from Lancaster and her mistress were reported missing. Could the bodies found in Moffat belong to these two missing women? In episode 3 we discuss how it was possible for investigators to link these two missing women in the case. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Aug 13, 2025 · 33 min
Series 4: Episode 2: Sin Eaters
Content warning: discussions of dead bodies, decomposition, including mentions of insects and dismemberment. Now that the body parts have been recovered, it is the responsibility of forensic scientists to attempt the gruelling task of examining and putting the pieces back together. However, with DNA unavailable as a forensic technique in 1935, what other forms of examination could experts use to identify a body? In this episode, we discuss what story a body can tell us about a person’s sex, age or lifestyle as well as some of the innovative new experiments that were carried out to identify bodies from Moffat. Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Aug 6, 2025 · 35 min
Series 4: Episode 1: The Ravine
Content warning: discussions of dead bodies, decomposition and dismemberment On a quiet Sunday in September 1935, two women walking outside the small town of Moffat stop at a stone bridge overlooking a ravine through which a small waterfall and stream flowed. It was then that the women spotted something shocking, a partially decomposed human arm protruding from a small package. Police found many similar packages strewn across the ravine, each containing human body parts. Thus began a long investigation into the identities of these unknown people. In this episode, we discuss how police in 1935 investigated the scene at the ravine. How were they certain these body parts were human? How did their investigation compare to forensic practices today? Join us on Facebook or visit our website to see further resources and discuss the podcast. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is written and narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jul 2, 2025 · 1 min
Series 4: A Case of Stolen Identity
In the fourth series of Inside Forensic Science we unravel a case of stolen identity. If a victim’s identity is stripped from them, what can forensic scientists do to reclaim who they were and bring their stories to light?
Jul 31, 2024 · 39 min
Series 3, Episode 6: The Verdict
What did our experts and the jury of the day decide? How can people make a decision when experts disagree and who can be an expert in criminal cases? This episode covers all of the details and also answers the question of what happened to Scott and Monson after the trial. Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jul 24, 2024 · 44 min
Series 3, Episode 5: The Experiments
Content warning: graphic descriptions of injury and death involving a gun and mention of suicide Accident or murder? To determine which is the most likely explanation for Hambrough’s death, experts in both 1893 and the present carry out experiments to test what distance the shot could have come from. What exactly can these experiments tell us about what happened on that fateful day and what are their limitations? Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jul 17, 2024 · 33 min
Series 3, Episode 4: The Motive
Alfred John Monson is accused of the murder of young Dudley Cecil Hambrough. For over 3 years Monson had acted not only as Hambrough’s tutor and guardian, but as his friend. What motive could there have been for Monson to commit murder? The prosecution say money. Join us for this episode as we scrutinise personal accounts, financial documents and the arguments made by both the prosecution and defence regarding Monson’s motives for murder. View our Facebook page for further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jul 10, 2024 · 44 min
Series 3, Episode 3: The Postmortem and the Gun
Content warning: this episode contains graphic descriptions of the autopsy process. A young man has been shot dead on a hunting trip; his two hunting companions are suspected of murder. With Monson arrested and Scott on the run, attention turns to the body. What can an autopsy tell us about how someone died? Can the postmortem and knowledge of ballistics tell us whether this death was truly a murder or an accident? Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jul 3, 2024 · 20 min
Series 3 Bonus: VR and Forensic Science
This is a bonus episode designed to accompany Episode 2 of Series 3. It features an interview between Pennie Stuart and Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science Senior Research Engineer Vincenzo Rinaldi about the application of Virtual Reality in forensic science.
Jul 3, 2024 · 44 min
Series 3, Episode 2: The Scene
The police believe the death of Cecil Hambrough was no accident. His tutor Alfred John Monson is arrested for his murder 20 days after the incident. Scott, the last member of the hunting party has disappeared. Now it is up to the experts to gather what evidence they can from the scene. But after all that time, is there any evidence left to find? This episode discusses what evidence may have been lost from the Ardlamont scene and what steps we take today to preserve a crime scene. Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jun 26, 2024 · 39 min
Series 3, Episode 1: A Death
The early morning of Thursday 10 August 1893, a party of three men leave to hunt rabbits on the Ardlamont estate in Tighnabruaich—only two return. The youngest, Lieutenant Dudley Cecil Hambrough has died from a bullet to the back of his head. The local doctor decrees the death an accident, but is the story really so clear cut? In this episode, we question what evidence might have been lost following Hambrough’s death and what steps investigators take today to confirm whether a death was accidental or the result of a crime. Join us on Facebook to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart.
Jun 20, 2024 · 1 min
Series 3: The Ardlamont Mystery
This third series of Inside Forensic Science delves into our most complicated historical case yet: the Ardlamont Trial. On 10 August 1893 a young man dies from a gunshot to the back of the head while hunting on the Ardlamont Estate. Was this incident an accident or did one of his hunting companions seek to benefit from his death? Inside Forensic Science interviews forensic scientists including ballistics and medical experts to determine what might have happened today.
Jul 18, 2023 · 45 min
Series 2: Episode 6 The Verdict
It's now time to put all the pieces of this puzzle together. Do you believe Madeleine Smith is guilty of poisoning her lover? Only Scotland has a ‘not proven’ verdict. What does this mean for a jury and for those who receive this judgement? Join our Facebook group to see further resources and discuss the podcast or visit our website. Inside Forensic Science is an Adventurous Audio Ltd production for the Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science (LRCFS) at the University of Dundee and was funded by The Leverhulme Trust. The series is narrated by Pennie Stuart. Our experts were: Experts Dr Jonathan Morris, Scottish Police Authority Forensic Services Dr Richard Shepherd, Forensic Pathologist Professor Eleanor Gordon, Affiliate (School of Social & Political Sciences). University of Glasgow Professor Niamh Nic Daeid, Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee Dr Lorna Nisbet, Leverhulme Research Centre for Forensic Science, University of Dundee Donald Findlay KC Lady Dorrian, Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, Scottish Judiciary Our actors Joe Reilly, Phil Latin, Craig Swan, Ian Boffey, John Harding, Andrew Thomson, Lynsey Moyes, Alan Richardson, David Bryce, Erica Holland, Russell Mullen, Alice Jenner, David Stuart, Iain McDiarmid, Dan Holland and Mark Stephen. Madeleine Smith was played by Keira Lucchesi.