Investigations, Media & Impartiality — Reflections from the Panel
Over the weekend we attended a panel hosted by Oliver Laurence of OJT Investigations Group. Panellists included David Rudolf (The Staircase), Chris Nyst, Laura Reece, Dr Sean Barry, and former ABF Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg.
Key Themes
The discussion covered:
- How police and lawyers use the media during high-profile cases, and the ethics of doing so.
- Why DNA evidence isn’t as iron-clad as the public often assumes.
- Under-representation in Australian courtrooms due to financial barriers.
- The investigator’s obligation to remain impartial and evidence-led.
The Investigator’s Duty to Stay Impartial
As David Rudolf noted, investigators must avoid tunnel vision. Your role is to gather facts — not to prove guilt or innocence. Turn over every stone, revisit evidence to the standards you’re taught, and re-interview where necessary.
Spoiler Alert — The Staircase
Roman Quaedvlieg on Hypotheses
Whether you’re ex-police, newly qualified, or changing careers, the job isn’t like television. Every hypothesis, interview and surveillance decision must be impartial and contemporaneously recorded.
Bonus: The Owl Theory
For those who’ve watched The Staircase, David Rudolf explains the “Owl Theory” — an alternative account that reframes circumstantial evidence and challenges assumptions.