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Forensic Tales

Rockefeller Audio
Forensic Science
DNA Testing
Forensic Evidence
Cold Cases
DNA Evidence
Murder
True Crime
Holly Bobo
DNA
DNA Technology
Cold Case
Murder Investigation
Domestic Violence
Pelley Family Murders
Keddie Cabin Murders
Life Insurance
Teresa Solecki
Robert Eugene Brashers
Tiffany Valiante
Tracy Kroh

Not all stories have happy endings... Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Tales is a weekly true crime podcast with a forensic twist. Each episode features real cases and explores how forensic science, criminal profiling, and investigative techniques were used to uncover the truth—or, in some cases, left more questions than answers. From fingerprint analysis and DNA ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes428Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Forensic Tales

Latest Episodes

The Unsolved Murder of Robert Wone

In this special Patreon Bonus Preview, I share a portion of this month's exclusive episode covering the mysterious and unsolved murder of Robert Wone.

Listen to the FULL episode: Patreon.com/ForensicTales

more

In the early morning hours of May 14, 2008, 19-year-old Brandon Swanson was driving home after celebrating the end of the college semester when his car became stuck in a ditch along a rural Minnesota road.

Unable to free his vehicle, Brandon called ... more

The murder of Rachel Nickell remains one of the most infamous true crime cases in the United Kingdom. In July 1992, Rachel was brutally attacked and murdered on Wimbledon Common in broad daylight while walking with her young son. What followed was a ... more

YouTube

Patricia Viola was a devoted wife, mother, and volunteer librarian living in Bogota, New Jersey. On February 13, 2001, she seemingly vanished without a trace after returning home from work. She left behind her purse, wallet, identification, seizure m... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sheila Wysocki
Private investigator hired by Lauren Agee's family; experienced cold-case investigator
Private investigator (staff/background in Angela Samota case)
Episode: Lauren Agee: The Mysterious Death at WakeFest
Eva Pilgrim
ABC News Senior National Correspondent and co-anchor of Good Morning America
ABC News
Episode: Holly Bobo Revisited: Case Updates with ABC News Senior Correspondent Eva Pilgrim

Host

Courtney Fretwell
Host of the show; forensic storyteller and writer/producer with a focus on forensic science, case analysis, and investigative storytelling.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 2.6k ratings
  • Voice changes

    What in the world happened to your voice? I listened to some older cases vs new ones and the voice change is cringe. Your cases are phenomenal but the voice is like nails on a chalkboard. It’s gotten shakier and so much more nasally than before.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    ~Just_Jess~
    United States2 months ago
  • 10/10

    I love this podcast so much. Courtney is an amazing host. She is victim focused, and you can tell she puts a lot of time into her work. This has become one of my favorites!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    UnsolvedCouplePod
    United States3 months ago
  • Went from Awful to Unbearable

    Previously, the host read every episode with the most grating monotone that only varied when she went up at the end of every single sentence. For someone with a Masters, it’s shocking how many words are used incorrectly or mispronounced. Errors in the script are just left in the final edit, no care taken at all.

    Now, she’s clearly read all the reviews about her voice and performance issues and has replaced her own reading with an AI simulation. Who knew that could be worse?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    micoooooloiigertihg
    Australia4 months ago
  • Great narration

    Not sensational, respectful.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kerryroxanne
    Canada4 months ago
  • Please use caution if choosing to listen/support this show

    I have been listening to this podcast since its inception, and initially really appreciated its coverage of lesser known crimes, as many podcasts will cover the same sensationalized cases. For a time, I was even a Patreon/paid subscriber. Unfortunately, over time, I've found that every single episode features some sort of misinformation; whether it be regarding the legal aspects of a case or about the victim. These are both CRITICAL when it comes to covering these sensitive matters. Additionally... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    richardsonskylar
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the storytelling respectful and informative, with strong emphasis on justice and accuracy.
Some listeners criticize the host's narration style and pace.
Positive feedback on thorough case coverage and updates on evolving forensic techniques.
Listeners appreciate the heavy emphasis on forensic science and evidence-based analysis.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#117
Indonesia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#204
Mexico/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Holly Bobo Revisited: Case Updates with ABC News Senior Correspondent Eva Pilgrim
Q: What can listeners expect from the new podcast series about Holly Bobo?
Listeners will be taken through a chronological exploration of Holly's case, providing insights from the investigative files, including the challenges faced by investigators and the emotional weight of the case's developments.
Holly Bobo Revisited: Case Updates with ABC News Senior Correspondent Eva Pilgrim
Q: What should someone know about the Holly Bobo case?
Holly Bobo was a nursing student taken from her home, and although someone was convicted of her murder, the star witness has recanted, casting doubt on the conviction.
Gareth Williams
Q: What happened to Gareth Williams?
Gareth Williams was found dead inside a locked duffel bag, with multiple theories ranging from murder to an accident or a possible cover-up.
David and Robert Bintz
Q: What was the outcome of the DNA testing performed years later?
The DNA testing confirmed that the DNA found on Sandra's body did not match either David or Robert Bintz, ultimately leading to their exoneration when it was attributed to William Hendricks.
David and Robert Bintz
Q: What led to the arrest of David Bintz?
David Bintz was arrested after a cellmate reported his sleep talking admissions about being involved in the murder of Sandra Lyson.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Forensic Tales

What is Forensic Tales about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A forensic-focused true crime show that blends detailed analysis of casework with storytelling. Episodes regularly unpack how forensic science, DNA, bloodstain patterns, and behavioral profiling contribute to investigations, trials, and sometimes controversial outcomes. The show often revisits cold cases, wrongful convictions, and high-profile investigations, offering a forensic-by-forensic lens on what happened, why decisions were made, and what remains uncertain. Unique touches include a steady emphasis on evidence interpretation, examiner and expert perspectives, and updates across cases as new science or legal developments emerge, making it a potentially compelling listen for professionals and true-crime fans who want more than narrativ... more

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How many listeners does Forensic Tales get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Forensic Tales?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Forensic Tales:

1. Forensic Files
2. Trace Evidence
3. Crimelines® True Crime
4. Cold Case Files
5. Missing Persons

How many episodes of Forensic Tales are there?

Forensic Tales launched 6 years ago and published 428 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Forensic Tales?

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What guests have appeared on Forensic Tales?

Recent guests on Forensic Tales include:

1. Sheila Wysocki
2. Eva Pilgrim

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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