What is the episode about?
Forhøret on Podimo opens its first season with an in-depth look at the most complex police interrogations in recent Danish history, where host Kristian Linnemann, along with experts, dissects the strategies behind the meeting between investigator and suspect. The focus is on the methodological approaches used by the Copenhagen Police in the landmark cases against Peter Madsen and James Schmidt. The episode highlights how investigators navigate a landscape of lies, manipulation, and technical evidence to arrive at a truthful explanation in cases that have shaken the entire nation.
The case behind the episode
The case against Peter Madsen, also known as the Submarine Case from 2017, forms a central part of the narrative. Here, we follow the initial interrogations, where the explanations changed as the police found new evidence in Køge Bay. The podcast analyzes how Madsen's narcissistic traits were challenged by the investigators' patient questioning techniques. Concurrently, the case of James Schmidt, who was convicted in 2019 for the murders of three pensioners in Østerbro and Valby, is addressed. Here, we take a closer look at how to interrogate a person who categorically denies any knowledge of the crimes, despite overwhelming evidence. These cases illustrate the extreme demands placed on Danish police interrogators when faced with cold-blooded perpetrators.
About the podcast
Forhøret is an original production from Podimo, which specializes in bringing listeners right into the closed rooms of the police station. Through 15 episodes, the listener gets a unique insight into the psychological game that takes place when a suspect sits across from an experienced investigator. Host Kristian Linnemann manages to maintain a high professional standard while conveying the legal and human aspects of Danish criminal procedure. The program draws on expertise from former homicide chiefs and psychologists to provide a nuanced understanding of why some choose to confess while others remain silent.