Behind the Badge & Beyond the Case: Chief David Splain | Cold Red 1118

What happens when the realities of small-town policing meet the complexities of true crime? On this episode of Cold Red, Ray Carr and Fitz sit down with Chief David Splain of the Nether Providence Township Police Department to explore decades of law enforcement experience, historical homicide investigations, and his transition from police leadership to true crime author.

Chief Splain discusses his books, Blood on the Trolley and Secrets From the Closet, offering insight into the investigative details, hidden truths, and human stories behind real cases. Together, Ray and Fitz examine the unique challenges of investigating crimes in close-knit communities, why some cold cases remain unsolved for decades, and how behavioral profiling, forensic linguistics, and modern forensic technology can help uncover new leads.

Plus, the team tackles audience questions about protecting victims' families, avoiding critical mistakes during the first 48 hours of an investigation, and the evolving role of investigative genetic genealogy in cold cases.

Subscribe to Cold Red for more expert analysis, real-world investigations, and the psychology behind the cases that continue to raise questions.

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Stay safe, stay aware, and remember: it just might save your life.

Can repeated head trauma change a person's behavior, destroy impulse control, or even contribute to violent actions?

In this episode of Cold Red, retired FBI agents Raymond Carr and James Fitzgerald sit down with renowned neurosurgeon, NFL consultant, and CTE researcher Dr. Philip Stieg to explore the disturbing relationship between Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), brain damage, aggression, and violent behavior.

From professional football players to individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries, Dr. Stieg breaks down what science reveals about the long-term consequences of brain trauma—and what researchers still don't know.

Together, Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg examine how damage to the frontal and temporal lobes may affect emotional regulation, decision-making, and impulse control. They also explore a critical question for criminal investigators: How do you distinguish calculated criminal behavior from actions potentially influenced by neurological deterioration?

In this episode:

• What CTE actually does to the brain and its four proposed stages

• The potential connection between repeated head injuries, aggression, and impulsive behavior

• Why some individuals experience personality changes while others develop cognitive decline

• How brain trauma can complicate FBI behavioral analysis and criminal investigations

• Whether neurological damage can influence speech, deception, and interrogation strategies

• The limitations of current CTE research and the challenges of diagnosing the condition

• How substance abuse, performance-enhancing drugs, and psychological stress may complicate the picture

• Could brain scans eventually play a role in determining criminal responsibility?

Can brain damage help explain violent behavior—or are we at risk of confusing correlation with causation?

Join Ray, Fitz, and Dr. Stieg for a fascinating discussion at the intersection of neuroscience, forensic psychology, and criminal behavior.

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💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Do you believe a history of serious brain trauma should influence how violent offenders are evaluated in the criminal justice system? Share your thoughts in the comments.

#ColdRedPodcast #CTE #BrainInjury #TrueCrime #Neuroscience #FBI #JamesFitzgerald #PhilipStieg #CriminalPsychology #ForensicScience

Four major true crime stories. New legal battles, disturbing allegations, and serious questions about how investigations are handled.

On this episode of Cold Red Podcast, retired FBI agents Raymond J. Carr and James R. Fitzgerald break down four developing stories, examining the evidence, investigative procedures, behavioral patterns, and legal consequences.

🔴 THE CORNELL 7 INVESTIGATION A major shift in a high-profile sexual assault investigation raises questions about local prosecutors, state intervention, and whether the case was properly handled. What happens when higher authorities take control?

🔴 "GAS STATION HEROIN" — THE KRATOM CRISIS Deadly synthetic kratom derivatives are raising alarms across the country. From a college student's fatal overdose in Mississippi to reported deaths in Utah, Ray and Fitz examine the dangers of unregulated substances and potential criminal accountability.

🔴 GYPSY ROSE BLANCHARD — FACTS VS. INTERNET SPECULATION Online rumors and allegations surrounding Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Ken Urker highlight the dangers of social media investigations. Fitz explores confirmation bias, digital behavior, and why speculation should never replace forensic evidence.

🔴 NOLAN WELLS — FEDERAL INVESTIGATION & TERRELL OWENS LAWSUIT The Nolan Wells case continues to raise questions about accountability and justice. The family seeks federal intervention following a grand jury decision, while a defamation dispute involving NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens adds another legal dimension.

Four stories. Four complicated investigations. What does the evidence actually tell us?

Join Ray and Fitz as they separate facts from speculation and explain how experienced federal investigators approach these cases.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for expert FBI analysis, criminal profiling, and true crime investigations.

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💬 LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS: Which of these four stories deserves a deeper investigation?

#ColdRedPodcast #TrueCrime #FBI #GypsyRoseBlanchard #NolanWells #Cornell7 #Kratom #CriminalProfiling #JamesRFitzgerald #RaymondCarr