Casefile
{{Short description|Australian true crime podcast}}
{{Other uses|Case file (disambiguation){{!}}Case file}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Italic title}}
{{infobox podcast
| title = Casefile
| image = File:Casefile_True_Crime_Podcast.jpg
| hosting = Anonymous host
| production = Mike Migas
| opentheme =
| theme_music_composer = Mike Migas, Andrew Joslyn
| language = English
| website = {{URL|http://casefilepodcast.com/}}
| audio format = Podcast
| began = 9 January 2016
| num_episodes = 271 cases (317 episodes)
| genre = True crime
| provider = iTunes, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud
| license = Commercial
}}
Casefile is an Australian crime podcast that first aired in January 2016 and is hosted by an Australian man who remains anonymous. The podcast, produced by Casefile True Crime Podcast, is usually released on a Saturday for three consecutive weeks, with a bonus episode on the fourth week. The series deals with solved or cold criminal cases, often related to well-known murders and serial crimes. Unlike a number of similar podcasts, the series is fully scripted and narrated, while relying primarily on original police or mass-media documents, eyewitness accounts, and interview or public announcement recordings.{{Cite news|url=https://www.techradar.com/best/the-best-australian-podcasts|title=The best Australian podcasts to listen to right now|work=TechRadar|access-date=2018-03-13}}
Many early episodes relate to Australian cases (e.g., Port Arthur or the Snowtown murders), although notable crimes from the UK and the US were increasingly featured,{{Cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/casefile-true-crime-podcast-becomes-global-hit-as-it-examines-uks-most-notorious-crimes-a3500716.html|title=Podcast becomes global hit as it examines UK's most notorious crimes|work=Evening Standard|location=London|access-date=2018-03-13}} and well-known cases from other countries have also been included. Larger and more-complex cases have received multiple-week serialised broadcasts, and case updates to previously aired cases are also provided from time to time. The series has been well received, and has won a number of awards since its debut.
Production
Casefile first aired on 9 January 2016{{Cite news|url=https://whatpods.com/ama/casefile/|title=AMA with the host of Casefile True Crime|work=WhatPods|access-date=2018-03-13}} and was conceived by an anonymous Australian host who started producing the show in 2015 in his spare room.{{Cite web |title=Casefile: How an anonymous Australian created one of the world's best true crime podcasts |url=https://www.nine.com.au/entertainment/viral/casefile-true-crime-podcast-qanda/57b44758-4d2c-46f5-b20f-61240d38f466 |access-date=2024-02-13 |publisher= 9news.com.au}} The host had just had surgery and was listening to a lot of podcasts and true-crime shows (e.g. The Joe Rogan Experience, Hardcore History, Serial, and Making A Murderer) at the time, and felt encouraged by Joe Rogan to make his own based on in-depth research and a storytelling style. According to several sources, the host remains anonymous because he wants the show to focus primarily on the stories, facts, and the questions raised.{{Cite news|url=https://shesaid.com/8-podcasts-binge-youre-obsessed-true-crime/|title=9 Podcasts To Binge If You're Obsessed With True Crime|date=2018-02-14|work=SHE'SAID'|access-date=2018-03-13}}{{Cite web |date=2024-01-15 |title=Best Casefile Podcast Episodes: True Crime Fan Picks |url=https://wiredclip.com/best-casefile-podcast-episodes/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=wiredclip.com}}
In its current format, the 2024 Casefile team consists of the host/narrator, two composers, a creative director, a digital media/designer, and three researcher/writers (and a producer for the Portuguese version).{{Cite web|title=About|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/about/|access-date=2024-02-12|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast}} It has also had a producer/composer, "since about episode 7", which led to the first six episodes being reworked. Researchers have also travelled internationally to access primary resources in some cases, such as former researcher and co-writer Anna Priestland,{{Cite web |title=Anna Priestland had an idea, so she emailed her favourite podcasters |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/anna-priestland-had-an-idea-so-she-emailed-her-favourite-podcasters-20190902-p52n0x.html |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=amp.smh.com.au|date=4 September 2019 }} who travelled from Melbourne to visit the UK National Archives in Kew in 2017 to examine police files on Myra Hindley. Since 2018, a number of cases have also been written and researched by the Australian author Eileen Ormsby.
Episodes
{{Main|List of Casefile True Crime Podcast episodes}}Most episodes remain publicly available once released. One episode, Case 55 (Simone Strobel, released 15 July 2017), was removed due to legal issues, although general details of the podcast itself are still publicly available.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/07/09/1973895.htm|title=Inquest hears Strobel boyfriend suspected in death|date=2007-07-09|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=2018-03-14}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/national/courts-law/police-study-luxury-beachside-life-of-man-whose-girlfriends-body-was-found-covered-in-palm-fronds/news-story/180de49076f1ca7c1e4249375d0a8dcb|title=Toby Moran's life under scrutiny by police 12 years after his girlfriend's mysterious death|publisher=News.com.au|access-date=2018-03-14}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/casefile-true-crime-44949/episodes/case-55-simone-strobel-19346758|title=Case 55: Simone Strobel by Casefile True Crime on Podchaser|website=Podchaser|access-date=2018-03-14}} Others (Cases 19 (Snowtown, released 14 May 2016) and 30 (The Claremont Serial Killer, released 20 August 2016)) have been temporarily removed with the intention of updating and/or improving them.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-14 |title=Case 19: Snowtown |url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-19-snowtown/ |access-date=2021-07-25 |website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast}}{{Cite web |date=2016-08-20 |title=Casefile: True Crime Podcast – Case 30: The Claremont Serial Killer |url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-30-claremont-serial-killer/ |access-date=2021-07-30 |website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast}}
Reception
Along with the recent rise in true crime podcasting, as seen in series such as Serial or S-Town, the show was reviewed positively by several sources.{{Cite web|url=https://pickle.nine.com.au/2018/01/25/12/53/casefile-true-crime-podcast-qanda|title=Casefile: True Crime Podcast creator reveals story behind popular series|website=pickle.nine.com.au|access-date=2018-03-19}}{{Cite magazine|last1=Garber-Paul|first1=Elisabeth|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/lists/beyond-serial-10-true-crime-podcasts-you-need-to-follow-w429955/casefile-w429962|title=Beyond 'Serial': 10 True Crime Podcasts You Need to Follow|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=22 July 2016|access-date=2018-03-13}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/the-12-best-true-crime-podcasts-of-2018/|title=The 12 Best True Crime Podcasts Of 2018|work=LBC|access-date=2018-03-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://yougov.co.uk/topics/media/explore/radio_programme/Casefile_True_Crime|title=Casefile True Crime popularity & fame {{!}} YouGov|website=yougov.co.uk|access-date=2020-01-19}} One early review focussed on the differences to similar shows noticeable in the production, such as its sombre music and limited host editorialising, while also avoiding the use of primary materials by simply replaying news clips, emergency calls, and interviews.{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/our-favorite-podcasts-of-2016-1798255734|title=Our favorite podcasts of 2016|last=Bulnes|first=Rebecca|work=AUX|access-date=2018-03-13}} Other reviewers have commented on the strengths of the show's research, on its extensive reviewing of people and places in their cultural context, and on its impact on the genre. In contrast, factors such as the lack of host transparency, the length and detail of some episodes or series, and the lack of variety of format have been regarded as criticisms.{{Cite web |title=Casefile Podcast Review |url=https://truecrimeconnection.com/listing/casefile/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=True Crime Connection}}
In Australia, the podcast has consistently been in the top 10 since May 2016.{{Cite web |title=iTunesCharts.net: 'Casefile True Crime' by Casefile True Crime (Australian Podcasts iTunes Chart) |url=http://www.itunescharts.net/aus/artists/podcast/casefile-true-crime/podcasts/casefile-true-crime/ |access-date=2018-08-23 |website=itunescharts.net}} By episode 99, the show was appearing in the podcast charts in 107 different countries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/the-podcast-hour/audio/2018673561/casefile-true-crime-with-a-mysterious-host|title=Casefile: true crime with a mysterious host|date=2018-11-30|website=RNZ |access-date=2020-01-19}} Download statistics by iTunesChart.net show that Casefile had charted in the top 100 in 5 regions, with peak ranking positions including: Australia (2), Canada (9), Germany (68), United Kingdom (11), and United States (7).{{Cite web|url=http://www.itunescharts.net/artists/podcast/casefile-true-crime/podcasts/casefile-true-crime/|title=iTunesCharts.net: 'Casefile True Crime' by Casefile True Crime (International iTunes Chart Performance)|website=itunescharts.net|access-date=2018-08-23}} Overall, as of July 2019, individual episodes have been downloaded more than 275 million times.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/casefile-presents-from-the-files-a-new-casefile-show/id998568017?i=1000443574159|title=Casefile True Crime: Casefile Presents – From the Files – a new Casefile show on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts|access-date=2019-07-04}} As of 2022, it was still being downloaded over 2 million times a month.{{Cite web |title=Podcast Ranker: Casefile True Crime begins year on top – AdNews |url=https://www.adnews.com.au/news/podcast-ranker-casefile-true-crime-begins-year-on-top |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=adnews.com.au}}
Awards
Since 2016, the show has received numerous awards:
- Apple Podcasts (Best of 2016–2023){{Cite web|url=http://casefilepodcast.com/|title=Welcome to Casefile: True Crime Podcast|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|access-date=2018-03-19}}{{Cite web|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/|title=Welcome to Casefile: True Crime Podcast|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|access-date=2019-12-25}}
- CastAway 2017 Australian Podcast Awards
- Discover Pods award (Most Innovative Podcast 2017){{Cite news|url=http://discoverpods.com/2017-discover-pods-awards-winners/|title=The 2017 Discover Pods Awards Winners {{!}} Discover the Best Podcasts {{!}} Discover Pods|date=2017-12-15|work=Discover the Best Podcasts {{!}} Discover Pods|access-date=2018-03-13}}
- Off the Charts 2017
- Spotify Podcasts of the Decade
Related content
Each case includes a corresponding page on the Casefile Presents official homepage, which details information such as special thank-yous, official support phone numbers, and websites (for Australia, the UK, the US, Canada and New Zealand), other credits, and resources (such as books, websites, videos, documents, articles, maps, wanted posters, and suspect sketches). Warnings are regularly given at the start of podcasts due to the graphic content. It is available via numerous sites.{{Cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/channel/casefile-true-crime|title=Casefile True Crime|website=audioboom.com|access-date=2018-03-19}} Since 2018, a companion YouTube channel also offers the show's episodes.
Early in the show's history, updates to cases were also occasionally aired as breakthroughs or other significant events occurred. However, as the podcast evolved, these began to be placed behind a voluntary subscription paywall. In July 2019, it was announced that these updates would now be spun out into an informal companion series, From the Files, to be aired monthly in the show's off week.{{Cite web|url=https://fromthefiles.com/|title=Home|website=From the Files|access-date=2019-12-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pedestrian.tv/podcast/casefile-from-the-files-podcast/|title=Casefile Is Dropping A Brand New Podcast Called 'From The Files' This Weekend|date=2019-07-02|website=Pedestrian TV|access-date=2019-07-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://audioboom.com/posts/7307134-casefile-presents-from-the-files-a-new-casefile-show|title=Casefile Presents – From the Files – a new Casefile show|website=Audioboom|access-date=2019-07-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704115906/https://audioboom.com/posts/7307134-casefile-presents-from-the-files-a-new-casefile-show|archive-date=4 July 2019|url-status=dead}} To replace it, a new patron only show called Behind the Files debuted the same month. It was announced in December 2019, however, that From the Files would be put on hiatus for 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/end-of-year-message/id998568017?i=1000460548151|title=Casefile True Crime: End of Year Message on Apple Podcasts|website=Apple Podcasts|access-date=2019-12-25}} In September 2023, it was announced that a new companion podcast "loosely based" on From the Files would be starting, hosted by Raquel O'Brien.{{Cite web |title=Unfiltered |url=https://casefilepresents.com/unfiltered/ |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Casefile Presents}}
Casefile Presents also produces and releases a number of crime podcasts besides Casefile{{Cite web |title=Our Shows |url=https://casefilepresents.com/our-shows/ |access-date=2024-02-10 |website=Casefile Presents}}{{Cite web |title=When the truth is more shocking than fiction – The Bakersfield Three |url=https://www.closetothemic.com/australia/the-bakersfield-three-casefiles-presents |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Close to the Mic – Podcast News and Reviews from New Zealand, Australia and Asia}} including: The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron (2020) – covered in episode 80; Searching For Sarah MacDiarmid (2021); The Detective’s Dilemma (2022); Matty (2022); The Frankston Murders (2023)- covered in episode 23; and, Dragonfly (2023). Since 2020, a Portuguese version of the show, known as Casefile True Crime – Edição Oficial em Português, is also produced.{{Cite web |title=Edição Oficial em Portugês |url=https://casefilepodcast.com/portuguese/ |access-date=2022-09-06 |website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast}}
In August 2022, an official card-based boardgame (similar in play to Cluedo) was released by Goliath Games, a Dutch game manufacturer. Titled Casefile: Truth & Deception Board Game{{Cite web |title=Casefile: Truth & Deception Board Game – Casefile Podcast |url=https://casefilepodcast.com/casefile-truth-deception-board-game/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast}} players, acting as private detectives, try to solve the murder mystery of a businessman.{{Cite web |last=Gamer |first=Jim |date=2022-09-12 |title=Casefile: Truth & Deception Board Game Review |url=https://www.whatboardgame.com/post/casefile-truth-deception-board-game-review |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Jim Gamer}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://casefilepodcast.com}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF73VZS_4MZcVleGJmykISA/videos?disable_polymer=1 YouTube channel]
- [https://ezramagazine.com/casefileinterview/ The Creator of Casefile Interview]
- [https://fromthefiles.com/ From the Files website]
{{Podcast platform links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Casefile, True Crime Podcast}}
Category:Investigative journalism
Category:Australian podcasters