Real Cases. Real Cops. Real Talk.
Crime Time Inc.
Former detectives Tom Wood and Simon McLean bring you inside Scotland's most gripping criminal cases. Real investigations. Real insight. No fluff.
5
Seasons
268+
Episodes
★ 5
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S5 · E41 · 21:29
How Forensics Might Solve the Gary Poste Enigma
In this episode of Crime Time Inc, hosts Tom Wood and Simon McLean take a detailed look at Gary Francis Post as a suspect in the Zodiac killer case, continuing their in-depth series on one of America's most enduring unsolved mysteries. Before diving into the main discussion, the pair share some entertaining memories of police life — the Glasgow dairies and Edinburgh bakeries that served as unofficial gathering spots for officers, the camaraderie with A&E nurses at the Western General Hospital on the night shift, and some memorably brutal lines from staff appraisals. It's a warm, unguarded exchange that captures the culture of policing in Scotland during their era, and a reminder that even in a true crime podcast, the human side of the job matters. The heart of the episode is a rigorous, experience-driven analysis of Post as a Zodiac suspect and the work of the so-called "case breakers" who championed him. Tom and Simon walk through the circumstantial evidence — Post's military background, his time in the San Francisco Bay Area, claimed cipher interpretations spelling out his name, reports of domestic violence, and familiarity with firearms — and systematically weigh each element. Tom, drawing on decades as a senior investigator and his FBI secondment at Quantico, is characteristically measured but skeptical. He notes that firearms familiarity was near-universal among American men of that generation, that access to military PX stores was hardly exclusive, and that the behavioural profile doesn't fit: serial offenders of this type rarely just stop and settle into quiet domestic life. Simon reinforces the point that the evidence supporting Post is almost entirely subjective or speculative, and crucially, that law enforcement investigating the Zodiac case showed no interest in Post — a telling sign given their otherwise fastidious approach to other suspects. A standout theme of the episode is the concept of elimination in major crime investigation. Tom explains, with the authority of someone who led the World's End murders inquiry and spent years on the Susan Maxwell and Vicky Hamilton cases, that elimination must meet an even higher standard than prosecution — you need to be one hundred per cent certain it is not the suspect. He illustrates this vividly with the Emma Caldwell case, where a suspect initially appeared to have a cast-iron alibi of being in prison, only for investigators to discover he had been released on weekend leave at the time of the murder. The discussion also highlights how DNA evidence, so central to Tom's work on the World's End case — explored fully in his bestselling book *The World's End Murders: The Inside Story* (Ringwood Publishing, 2024) — serves as much to clear the innocent as to convict the guilty. It's a nuanced point that underscores why the Zodiac case, with its degraded and poorly preserved forensic evidence, remains so frustratingly unresolved. The episode closes on a lighter note, with Tom revealing he saw the Beatles live in Edinburgh in their very early days, and Simon ribbing him about Paul McCartney's stolen left-handed guitar — a nod to Simon's well-known friendship with McCartney dating back to his days as a young officer in Campbeltown. The pair tease future episodes, including a Zodiac series roundup and a possible deep dive into the Emma Caldwell case, giving listeners plenty to look forward to. About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E40 · 16:39
The Man With the Hammer: Gary Poste and the Zodiac Killer Theory Explained
In this episode, Simon and Tom examine one of the most controversial modern Zodiac Killer suspects: Gary Francis Poste. The story begins with a chilling moment—an elderly man, a simple question, and a violent response with a hammer. That moment would later fuel a nationwide media storm and reignite interest in a case that has remained unsolved for over 50 years. We break down the claims made by the Case Breakers, a team of former law enforcement and intelligence professionals who publicly named Poste as the Zodiac in 2021. Key areas explored in this episode: The hammer incident and the credibility of the sole witness Poste’s background: Air Force service, cryptography training, and life in the Bay Area during the Zodiac murders His move to Groveland, California in 1970—the same year the Zodiac killings stopped Allegations of violence, control, and disturbing behaviour reported by neighbours The forehead scars and how they compare to the Zodiac composite sketch The controversial cipher theory linking Poste’s name to the Zodiac’s coded messages The connection to the Cheri Jo Bates murder—and why police dispute it Claims of hidden weapons caches and a possible trained group of followers The ongoing mystery surrounding DNA evidence—and why it has never been conclusively compared We also examine strong criticism from leading Zodiac researchers, including Tom Voigt, and explore whether the Case Breakers’ evidence holds up under scrutiny. With no confirmed forensic link—no definitive DNA, fingerprints, or handwriting match—the case against Gary Poste remains entirely circumstantial. So why hasn’t law enforcement fully addressed it? And what happens when a suspect dies before answers are found? The Zodiac case remains officially open. And the question still stands: Was Gary Francis Poste the Zodiac Killer—or just another name in a long list of suspects? 🎙️ This episode sets up our next instalment, where Simon and Tom critically review the Gary Poste theory in detail. Zodiac Killer, Gary Francis Poste, Zodiac suspect, Case Breakers, true crime podcast, unsolved murders, serial killers, Cheri Jo Bates, Zodiac ciphers, cold case, forensic investigation, true crime UK, true crime US, criminal psychology, unsolved mysteries About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
S5 · E39 · 12:02
Richard Gaikowski Review: Was the Zodiac Killer Hiding in Plain Sight?
In this review episode, Simon and Tom take a measured look at Richard Gaikowski, one of the most frequently discussed suspects in the Zodiac case. After Alec’s suspect profile, they break down what is genuinely intriguing, what feels overstated, and why Gaikowski remains a suspect many people talk about—but one who is still far from proven. The discussion focuses on several points that continue to keep Gaikowski in the conversation: his work as a newspaper editor in the Bay Area, his background as an army medic, his reported mental health issues, and the often-mentioned claim that parts of the Zodiac material may contain references to his name. Simon and Tom weigh each of these carefully, separating factual details from interpretations that may rely too heavily on hindsight. A major theme in this episode is the danger of forcing evidence to fit a suspect. Tom raises concerns about the reliability of the anonymous informant behind some of the claims, and both hosts question how much weight can really be placed on decades-old voice identifications and speculative links drawn from coded messages. The episode also explores one of the most interesting aspects of the case: timeline gaps. Gaikowski’s stay at Napa State Hospital from 1971 to 1974 is discussed in relation to the absence of Zodiac letters during that period, raising the question of whether those missing years might matter more than they first appear. Along the way, Simon and Tom also reflect on how historic cases are sometimes solved unexpectedly—through family disclosures, long-buried secrets, or information that only emerges decades later. It is a thoughtful conversation about evidence, probability, and why some suspects can never be fully dismissed, even when the case against them remains inconclusive. This episode is not about sensational claims. It is about careful review, investigative caution, and asking whether Richard Gaikowski was a serious Zodiac suspect—or another name kept alive by mystery, coincidence, and speculation. About Crime Time Inc. Season 5 of Crime Time Inc. broadens its reach across two sides of the Atlantic. This season features cases from Scotland and across the wider UK — rooted in real investigative experience — alongside deep dives into some of the most infamous murder cases in American history. Hosted by former detectives Simon and Tom, with experience in both the UK and the United States, including time working alongside the FBI, the show strips away sensationalism to explain how crime and justice really work. Two crime worlds. One podcast. New episodes released regularly throughout the season. Our Website: https://crimetimeinc.com/ If you like this show please leave a review. It really helps us. Please help us improve our Podcast by completing this survey. http://bit.ly/crimetimeinc-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Hosts
Straight From the Case Files
Tom Wood
Co-Host
Tom Wood is a retired detective, former Deputy Chief Constable and bestselling author of "Ruxton: The First Modern Murder". With decades of experience in Scottish law enforcement, Tom brings unparalleled insight into criminal investigations and forensic history.
Simon McLean
Co-Host
Simon McLean is a former detective and undercover cop. His experience spans organised crime, serious assault, and complex criminal networks across Scotland.
Chris Burt
Producer
Chris Burt is the producer of Crime Time Inc, handling all aspects of audio production, post-production, and digital content.
Listener Reviews
What Listeners Say
Absolutely Gripping
“Tom and Simon bring an authenticity to true crime that you just can't fake. Having two actual detectives walk you through these cases is incredible. Essential listening.”
— ScottishCrimeFan · Apple Podcasts
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