Forensic red flags, systemic failures, and the evidence that was never tested

In Part Two of our examination into the fatal police shooting of Luke Gilbert, we move beyond headlines and into the forensic and procedural foundations of the case and what happens when those foundations are missing.

Despite a coronial finding being handed down, critical evidence in Luke’s death was never independently tested, never fully disclosed, and in some instances, appears to have been altered or withheld entirely. From missing and edited CCTV footage, unresolved ballistic inconsistencies, and misclassified weapons, to allegations of conflicts of interest, unlawful autopsy consent, and failures by oversight bodies, this episode methodically examines the red flags that undermine confidence in the official findings.

This is not an episode driven by outrage or speculation. It is driven by evidence, forensic standards, and the legal obligations that apply when police use lethal force. Drawing directly from the coronial record, the concerns raised by Luke’s family, and accepted forensic and investigative principles, this episode asks one central question: can justice exist where transparency does not?

Luke’s case is not just about one man or one night; it is about the systems meant to protect truth and what happens when they fail.

Correction & Clarification

I want to acknowledge and correct an error made at the end of the most recent episode.

When responding to a listener question about Constable Bryce Collins, I incorrectly stated that he was present at the shooting. That was an error.

Constable Collins was not present at the shooting. As mentioned earlier in the episode, his involvement relates to looking Luke up and passing information on to a member of the public.

Accuracy matters deeply to me, especially when discussing cases that carry so much weight for families and the public. Thank you to those who respectfully flagged this, and I appreciate the continued care and accountability from this community.

In this episode of Exhuming the Truth, we return to the Claremont case to focus on Sarah Spiers and the legal and court processes that shaped, limited, and ultimately complicated the pursuit of justice in her case.

Rather than retelling the events themselves, this episode breaks down how the Australian court system operated at the time, why Sarah's case was legally treated differently to the others, and how evidentiary rules, procedural limitations, and the absense of evidence could and could not be argued in court.

Corrie Feehan vanished from Leeman, WA, in April of 2025.

In July 2025, we made an initial episode for Corrie and his family, just 12 weeks after he disappeared. Join us in part two, where we share a heartfelt message from his loving family, who are desperate for answers, and learn about the discrepancies in this case and how you can help us get justice for Corrie and his loved ones.