Reviews

Best crime-related pod ever. This retired psychiatrist can’t stop listening, or recommend it too highly. Required listening for all sexes.

Her experience, her insight and laser sharp analysis are undeniable. Here’s a woman who’s devoted her career to protecting women and children from violence. And probably at great personal cost (not to mention risk! I can’t begin to imagine the haters and threats she gets). Some listeners are put off by her self promotion and rehashing of her credentials. I don’t seem to recall her doing it as much in her earlier episodes , and I wonder if recent challenges have frustrated her of late. Maybe she feels the need to reclaim her authority. Listening to Ghost Story must have been infuriating. She’s approached to give her professional opinion on a case that’s right up her alley, yet she’s reduced to a sound bite. We don’t hear any of her analysis. For those who listen to CA every week, yes it can get repetitive, but for those who drop in once in a blue moon, perhaps they need reminding who gives the analysis. A pro. Not some flakey crime junkie. And with the cases she studies, she must get armies of dimwits tweeting or leaving messages contradicting or arguing with her analysis. Hence even more compelled might she feel to restate her credentials. If you argue with a brain surgeon about brain surgery, they’ll be quick to remind you who’s the expert in the conversation.

Laura Richards is a brilliant, insightful and highly experienced crime analyst. She is also a passionate and committed advocate for the rights of women and children. With a background in criminology and criminal justice I was confident I had a very good knowledge of family/domestic violence and coercive control. I do, but have still learned so much of Laura. Crime Analyst is engaging, accessible, fascinating, informative, entertaining and deeply thought provoking. I cannot rate the podcast highly enough.

Laura Richards’ work is essential listening for all, regardless of your job or experiences. She is an activist as well as being an expert in the field. She has lived and breathed this in many roles and is an advocate for women subjected to male violence. I wish all of law enforcement could be trained by her. Thank you for all that you do, Laura!

Laura Richards is a wonderful storyteller, but she doesn’t indulge in gory true crime campfire stories. Laura Richards is a career professional who has led the field in changing the law in many countries, starting with the UK where she was pivotal in making coercive control a crime, and right now is working tirelessly to create a stalkers register. This was/is ground-breaking and life-changing for millions of people. I don’t know Laura personally, but I did attend her online masterclasses on coercive control. If you don’t know what these words mean, start listening to Crime Analyst NOW. The series on Gabby Petito is 23 episodes of minute-by-minute breakdown. Every episode is an eye-opener, and she has changed the way I view the world, for the better (although it’s an uncomfortable realisation sometimes). If you are sick of supporting gory podcasts that subtly glorify killers and want to gain real understanding of these cases in a way that is sensitive to victims and possibly helping prevent future ones, this is the place. Laura’s voice is also incredibly soothing to listen to.

I can't believe I hadn't known about this podcast until recently, I am a lived experience expert on CSE and deliver training to local authorities, her approach resonates so much with mine. Laura is clearly extremely talented in her field and I appreciate her eloquence in delivery. I would love to work with her one day around CSE and CCE

Laura this is so so good. I’m going to relisten to the original podcast with your views in my ear. Fantastic work (as always)

Thank you. Thank you for championing for the murdered women & children. Thank you for explaining your expertise for us. I think as a whole, women are so helpless when we hear of femicide. We want to learn from it, see the flags. I’m currently binge listening!

Laura Richard’s Crime Analyst is a brave and searingly frank review of how high profile crimes have been dealt with over the years and makes us question our own judgements and assumptions. She tells it exactly how it is from her professional experience in New Scotland Yard. Keep up the great work.

Laura Richard’s explains coercive control in a way that makes it clear to anyone the dangers and crazy making events faced by victims of this behavior. This is especially true when uneducated or biased law enforcement officers (sworn to protect) show up on a scene and further victimize the victim. What makes this more tragic is, when you apply Laura’s guidance, coercive controllers are not hard to identify. In terms of “what’s in it for me” for law enforcement, when victims are believed it may result in them seeking help and ultimately leaving their controller sooner, thereby reducing the total number of interactions law enforcement will have with that victim. Also, identifying violent coercive controllers in your area may prove advantageous in other criminal cases. To all those in law enforcement who already understand this and respond appropriately, thank you. When society demands that everyone recognizes and then understands this behavior as potentially deadly, more lives will be saved. At a minimum, this must always include entry level law enforcement and those who mentor them. For that to happen local and state politician and religious and community leaders also have to champion this goal. For anyone who understands coercive control, has known a victim or witnessed someone exercising coercive control over another, please support movements and legislation that promote understanding, identifying and properly responding to coercive control. Having a method to identify coercive control has put it within our reach to greatly reduce a long standing societal failure. If you don’t understand coercive control please listen to Laura Richards - Crime Analyst and then count yourself among the fortunate.

Thanks Laura for your hard work on the College of Policing Review including your analysis of Peter Faulding. The word `Investigation` is not stated in the front cover of the report so that is misleading and that is identified as a missed opportunity. One moment that stood out to me having read the report is the fact that the police made the decision to declare Nicola`s case as a critical incident on February 16th and stated that it was "so late that it was rendered ineffective" . The police should not have released the working hypothesis and then release Nicola`s health issues as it had created this defensive nature of the press conference. It is right that Peter Faulding did take part in the review and was asked by the family to help with the search. I think you did a great job of analysing this report really well. #NicolaBulley #LancashirePolice #Leadership #Accountability #CollegeofPolicing

Such thoughtful, careful and informed presentstions and explanations, especially in the Petito episodes. I’m so thankful someone like you is offering your expertise to law enforcement departments who need this type of training. They ALL need this training and in my experience, none of them did. I hope your work moves the needle—thank you for doing it.

This is a brilliant podcast. I happened across it—and then binged my way through all 170+ episodes. Laura is phenomenal. She is brilliant, deeply knowledgeable, insightful, analytical, and her style is utterly engrossing. I especially appreciate her “close reading” deep dives, such as her minute-by-minute analysis of the police officer’s body cam recordings in the Gabby Petito case. Most importantly, Laura is a phenomenal advocate for women and is educating the world about a hugely important and urgent issue—and is doing so not in a dogmatic or dry way that would lead many to tune out, but in her completely engaging style that I am confident will make anyone sit up and listen. I am going to be telling everyone I know about this podcast. Thank you, Laura, for all your work!

I listen to a lot of podcasts, but when I found this one I completely stopped listening to anything else until I had binged the whole show. As a survivor and thriver after abuse from my ex husband it put a stop to the self blame that had started to creep in after many years. I was a social worker, worked in women’s refuges and taught police officers about domestic violence but I learnt so much from the podcast. This podcast should be required listening for all kinds of people.

I found this podcast while researching the Colonial Parkway Murders. Many true crime podcasts simply regurgitate the facts but this lady offers a fascinating insight and sounds like she has a police background. Excellent podcast, I will definitely be going through the back catalogue.

Laura produces in depth, fact filled podcasts covering a variety of subjects. Well worth listening too. Highly recommended.

Crime Analyst isn’t having it, she is just not having it, and people are going to listen! We know the risks, the flags, the evidence, why we even know the perpetrators, and yet as a culture we accept femicide as a casualty of our femaleness, accept the lack of action as a reflection of our worth. Laura is calling this out, unpicking misogyny in all its guises, centering the women and girls who have sensitively rediscovered their voice again through Laura analysing their stories as a case for change. Beyond this, Laura is an activist to support the introduction of evidence based policy and public protection frameworks, a golden thread through the series where deconstruction demonstrates we can, and should do better. As a result, this series goes above and beyond the vivisection of real crime…it’s a real time call to action and a must listen.

I feel like I have learned so much from Laura about coercive control, narcissistic behavior and manipulation. Great podcast!

Laura Richard’s is one of the most intelligent, thoughtful and passionate victim advocates & crime analysts (especially for women) you will find! The depth and breadth of analysis she does for each case is astonishing and she manages to articulate complex ideas in such a straightforward manner. Her feminist perspective on male violence is invaluable and much needed in a world full of ‘experts’ who don’t even state the obvious. She has changed laws and policies to create real change for victims, a true inspiration!

Laura Richards is AMAZING!! She offers so much insight and knowledge; and does a fantastic job breaking down the cases. Laura always centres the victim, unlike some true crime podcasts who focus on the perpetrator. This is a must -listen for everybody!

Excellent podcast. As an avid crime listener I love the analytical summaries - great job

Wow! This is an awesome podcast. I started listening in the last week and I’ve listened to several episodes. I have learned so much about how women are discounted and not listen to. It infuriates me. I really appreciate her detailed account of how she looks at things and how she would organize finding these violent men. Highly recommend.

With an incredibly experienced, yet professional Behavioural Analysis, Crime Analyst is in a class of its own. The perspective is always victim centric and each deep dive is through and always keeping with the primary ethos, of fighting for the victims, not the perpetrator. You can tell that each case is thoroughly researched and no stone left unturned. It’s a fascinating series and a real credit to Laura and her tireless work.

Laura is a true champion for women and a staunch defender against misogyny. Her training, experience and insights into issues that primarily affect women are world leading. If you’re not subscribed already, why not? She could save your life. Love you Laura, thank you for everything you do x

This podcast will change the way you listen to or watch ‘true crime’. Ethical and fascinating, you won’t accept standard crime reports again.

A five star podcast Laura Richard’s analysis on each topic is superb

Thank you Laura for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in sharing your invaluable insights and knowledge. Never did I imagine I'd find my hero on my true crime podcast journey, but there's simply no better way to describe the impact of her work.

I learn so much from Laura and her guests each week.

A fascinating, illuminating and necessary true crime podcast-! You lay bare how coercive control is ubiquitios in our lives in all our social and societal systems. And you podcast is fun, too. Thank you!

I absolutely love this podcast. Laura is so knowledgeable and informed and is an expert in this work. She provides extremely thorough and detailed reviews of cases, often lasting over multiple episodes. I've learned so much about coercive control from her podcast. Almost equally important is her passion for this work. Laura unapologetically expresses concern and care for the victims and for the risks women (predominantly) face at the hands of their abusers. It's refreshing to hear someone say "This is wrong and it is bad and we should never tolerate this under any circumstances." And finally, do not underestimate Laura's dry wit and humor catching you off guard. Her sayings and statements are the perfect show of deserved contempt for people acting in harmful, inappropriate, dangerous or incorrect ways. Every now and then I think about this passing comment she made about the Officer Pratt at the Gabby Petito/Brian stop necessitating a "man-sized water cooler" to hydrate himself as he's peacocking around all thirsty and dominating a scene over which he is ill-prepared. It so accurately sums up her disgust and disappointment as to be priceless. Listen - it's well worth it!