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Crime Analyst

Crime Analyst

By: Laura Richards
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If you are curious about the ‘who dunnit’ and the ‘why dunnit’ and how and why victims become footnotes in their own murders, Crime Analyst is for you. Hosted by world renowned and award-winning Criminal Behavioural Analyst Laura Richards.Copyright 2021 Crime Analyst True Crime
Episodes
  • Ep 343: Convicted Serial Rapists Walk Free With £26 Fine

    Ep 343: Convicted Serial Rapists Walk Free With £26 Fine
    Jun 7 2026
    Two separate girls were raped by three boys, one at knifepoint, in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025. The three teenagers filmed the rapes and posted them on-line, blatantly laughing. The case went to trial, and they were found guilty of 11 counts of rape out of 17 sexual offences. However, Judge Nicholas Rowland stated, ‘None of you need go to prison today’ and that he didn’t want to crimiminalize them UNNECCESSARILY. This case has rightly caused national and international outrage and Laura is calling for the Judge to be investigated and for a judicial accountability framework. Anger is not enough – you can help and act now. For a decade Laura worked at New Scotland Yard analysing violent crime, identifying patterns, linking offences, and helping catch serial rapists and serial killers. One lesson was clear: nobody starts with rape or murder. There are escalating patterns of behaviour prior and opportunities to stop them. In this urgent episode, Laura examines the Hampshire serial gang rape case and the boys histories which show at least one is on a pathway to murder. Laura analyses the case through the lens of behavioural analysis, risk assessment, offender pattern recognition, and public safety. Drawing on her experience as former Head of the Homicide Prevention Unit and Head of the Sexual Offences Section at New Scotland Yard, Laura explains why this case is not an anomaly, why accountability matters, and why the system's repeated failure to identify and intervene with dangerous offenders puts women and girls at risk. Laura highlights: • escalating dangerous patterns of behaviour; • why pattern recognition and near misses identification matters to prevent serious violence and homicides; • How systems and people in them repeatedly fail to join the dots; • The dangerous consequences of minimising male violence against women and girls; • Why accountability matters for victims, survivors, and public safety; • The parallels with other high-profile cases, including Levi Bellfield, John Worboys, and Ian Huntley; • The role misogyny in decision-making and outcomes, and; Laura also discusses the petition calling for Judge Nicholas Rowland to be investigated and for the introduction of an independent Judicial Accountability Framework. ACT NOW: · Sign the petition · Write to your MP · Write to Justice Secretary David Lammy · Write to Prime Minister Keir Starmer · Write to Attorney General Richard Hermer Letter Templates Enough is enough. 🎧 Listen. Learn. Share. Use your voice. #CrimeAnalyst #Accountability #ViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls #Misogyny #BehaviouralAnalysis #PublicSafety #Prevention #Justice #CrimeAnalystPodcast #Hampshire #Rape #JudgeRowland Clip https://youtu.be/NmeE-Kyt8dI?si=xYWv8y_NlxhL0gWy Sources https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/21/boys-convicted-of-get-non-custodial-sentences-as-judge-says-they-should-not-be-criminalised-unnecessarily https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/29/teenage-boys-rape-sentencing-youth-courts https://www.thetimes.com/uk/crime/article/police-missed-opportunities-stop-fordingbridge-teen-rapist-jqp9mnrfw Laura’s Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website YouTube @crimeanalyst Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999 Threads @crimeanalyst X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999 TikTok @crimeanalystpod Website www.crime-analyst.com Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    53 mins
  • Ep 342: Remastered: The Murder of Gabby Petito, Part 12

    Ep 342: Remastered: The Murder of Gabby Petito, Part 12
    Jun 4 2026
    In this remastered episode, Laura discusses a significant update in Gabby Petito’s case. On Monday 8th August 2022, almost a year to the date of the Moab City Police stop of Gabby’s white van, Gabby’s mother, Nichole and step-father Jim Schmidt and Gabby’s father, Joe and step-mother Tara Petito filed a notice of intent to sue Moab City Police in Utah. The lawsuit went ahead accusing the Police of “negligent failure” to first understand the law and enforce it. They also accuse Moab City Police of “wrongful death” stating that Gabby’s “death was caused by their wrongful acts or neglect.” They are seeking $50m in damages. The lawsuit was dismissed by Judge Torgerson in 2024. However, it’s not over. The case has been referred to the Utah Supreme Court. For the latest update in the case listen to this episode. Wyoming Crime Scene Visit: Laura recently recorded an exclusive episode based in Wyoming where she retraces Gabby Petito's final footsteps, shares new crime scene observations and behavioural analysis, and compares Brian Laundrie's so-called confession letter with what most likely happened in Gabby's final days. Join the Crime Analyst Squad and Listen here. #GabbyPetito #HerNameWasGabbyPetito #CrimeAnalyst #Expert #Analysis #Behaviour #TrueCrime #Podcast #Psychology #WomenMatter #Prevention #MaleViolence #Femicide #Intervention Clips  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVikEaUIWvQ Sources https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/09/us/gabby-petito-family-lawsuit-moab-utah-police/index.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/08/09/petito-police-lawsuit/ https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/8/8/23297037/gabby-petito-family-lawsuit-moab-police-should-have-done-more https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/university-utah-student-zhifan-dong-reported-fearing-safety-was-found-rcna39067 https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/7/19/23268993/china-student-death-university-utah-report-failings-suicide-fentanyl-overdose-darknet https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/3/30/22359337/lauren-mccluskey-parents-student-student-murdered-dismiss-lawsuit-settlement-payment 2026 Masterclasses and Crime Analyst Resources and Community      For more insight and knowledge, advocacy and professional development join The Crime Analyst Squad. It’s a growing and dynamic community offering expert insight, in-depth conversations, exclusive episodes and videos, and live events: www.Patreon.com/CrimeAnalyst    www.dashriskchecklist.com   www.thelaurarichards.com      Subscribe to Crime Analyst YouTube: @crimeanalyst      Facebook: Crime Analyst Podcast      Instagram: @crimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      Threads: @crimeanalyst      X (Twitter): @thecrimeanalyst, @laurarichards999      TikTok: @crimeanalystpod      Website: www.crime-analyst.com      If you found this episode valuable, please consider leaving a five star review wherever you listen.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • Ep 341: Outsmarting My Psychopath Ex-Husband, Dirty John Meehan with Tonia Bales

    Ep 341: Outsmarting My Psychopath Ex-Husband, Dirty John Meehan with Tonia Bales
    Jun 1 2026
    When Tonia Bales married John Meehan, she had no idea that the charming man she fell in love with would later become known to millions as "Dirty John." Psychopaths don’t stand out - in fact they do everything to blend in - but there are some tell-tale signs you need to know. Together, Laura and Tonia decode and share the signs whilst discussing Tonia’s new book, When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John, and the untold story of what it was really like being married to one of America's most notorious coercive controllers and psychopaths. Listen and learn: · Who "Dirty John" really was and how charm, deception, and manipulation were used to gain trust; · The long-term effects of living with a psychopath and having children with one; · The impact of coercive control and deception on intimate partners and children · What Tonia and her family discovered as John's hidden life began to unravel; · Why understanding behavioural patterns is critical to prevention and protection · Golden rules from surviving and outlasting Dirty John, and; · How sharing lived experience can help others recognise danger sooner. Laura goes beyond the headlines, identifying the offender behaviours, patterns, manipulations and high-risk factors that everyone should understand. 🎧 Listen, learn, and share. You could help someone recognise coercive control and manipulation before it escalates. #CrimeAnalyst #DirtyJohn #ToniaBales #Psychopath #Survivor #LauraRichards #CoerciveControl #DomesticAbuse #BehaviouralAnalysis #TrueCrimePodcast #Prevention Clip https://youtu.be/-MmkJ0lpuy4?si=I9FDESyt5m55ugfs Find Tonia here: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tonia.bales/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonia-bales-91696347/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toniabales/?igshid=YzVkODRmOTdmMw%3D%3D Podcast: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-First-Wife-John-Meehans-Reign-of-Terror-Podcast/B099BYMH4G And Tonia's book:https://www.amazon.com/When-You-See-Outsmarted-Outlasted/dp/B0FCDDC6FL Thank You to the Crime Analyst Sponsors Who Make the Show Possible. Support The Show Through the Sponsors: Amplify your spring look with Thrive Causemetics. Go to thrivecausemetics.com/ANALYSTS for an exclusive offer of 20% off your first order. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll use. Head to Quince.com/CRIMEANALYST for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. Go to Amazon or physicianschoice.com and use code PCPODCAST10 for 10% off your entire order. Laura’s Resources and Training information: www.dashriskchecklist.com www.thelaurarichards.com Crime Analyst YouTube, Socials and Website YouTube @crimeanalyst Facebook Crime Analyst Podcast Instagram @crimeanalyst @laurarichards999 Threads @crimeanalyst X @thecrimeanalyst @laurarichards999 TikTok @crimeanalystpod Website www.crime-analyst.com Leave a 5* Review https://www.crime-analyst.com/reviews/new/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 10 mins
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really interesting deep dive into criminal mind and criminal actions and behaviour. I was fascinated listening, particularly to the Sophie Toscan du Plantier episodes as I know that area well and remember the shock I felt when her murder happened in a place i felt so safe and at peace.

highly recommend

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Laura Richards is incredible in the way she brings her expertise in homicide prevention, Unlike much true crime, which feels voyeuristic, she foregrounds the victims' stories and is a passionate advocate for change. It's like having a friend alongside, helping empower us as women and understand the mindset that is behind femicide in particular. The detail with which she walks the listener through cases is astounding. I can't stop listening.

So much more than a true crime podcast

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A victim focused podcast with great guests and topical content. Laura fights for justice and to change the laws to protect victims and survivors.

Fantastic, educatonal analysis of crime.

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Absolutely love this podcast, it's brilliant, as is all the work Laura does for victims and their families, raising awareness and sharing their legacy whilst trying to make the world safer and protecting future victims

Brillian

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I unashamedly cried throughout most of this episode .


This amazing series ought to be taught in the educational system and in the police establishment. Furthermore legal reparation needs to be enforced against any media platform that deals with such horrific and traumatic crimes.

Written with such care & dignity for the victims

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