Episode Summary: "The Delphi Murders: First Person: Brian Olahi: Part One"

Podcast Title: Murder Sheet
Hosts: Áine Cain (Journalist) and Kevin Greenlee (Attorney)
Release Date: February 18, 2025
Guest: Brian Olahi, Retired Indiana State Police Crime Scene Investigator

1. Introduction to the Episode and Guest

In this episode of Murder Sheet, hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee engage in an in-depth conversation with Brian Olahi, a retired crime scene investigator (CSI) from the Indiana State Police. This interview marks the first part of a two-episode series focusing on Olahi's firsthand experiences with the infamous Delphi murders of Liberty German and Abigail Williams.

2. Brian Olahi's Background and Career Trajectory

Brian Olahi provides a comprehensive overview of his career in law enforcement, detailing his journey from a typical Midwestern upbringing to his extensive service with the Indiana State Police.

• Early Life and Education:
  "I grew up in east central Illinois... went to college, got an associate's degree in criminal justice and a bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement Justice Administration." [05:59]

• Joining the Indiana State Police:
  "Applied with the Indiana State police in late 1994, started the academy in January of '95." [07:19]

• Roles and Promotions:
  Olahi outlines his progression from patrol duties across various counties, a stint in gaming enforcement at the Trump Casino in Gary, to roles in the public information office, eventually becoming a First Sergeant and Assistant Section Commander at the state police headquarters in Indianapolis until 2016.

3. Memorable Cases and Experiences

Olahi recounts several significant cases that marked his career, highlighting both the professional and personal challenges encountered.

• Death of Governor O'Bannon:
  Olahi was tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Governor O'Bannon's stroke at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. He emphasizes the uniqueness of this case: "Not many people can say they're the only person to write a paper on the death of a sitting governor." [16:16]

• Murder of Trooper Scott Patrick:
  As the lead investigator in the murder of his friend and fellow trooper, Scott Patrick, Olahi shares the emotional and ironic aspects of the case, including media interactions: "He was the lead investigator on his murder... one of the stories featured in their four-part series." [16:16]

• Case of Jason Page:
  Olahi discusses the heinous crimes committed by Jason Page, who murdered three individuals in Peru, Indiana, including two children. He describes the severity and emotional toll of the case: "It was a pretty heinous crime... executed a four-year-old child who could have identified him." [16:16]

4. Impact of Work on Personal Life

The intense nature of Olahi's work inevitably left its mark on him. He reflects on coping mechanisms and the emotional resilience required in law enforcement.

• Emotional Scars and Adaptation:
  "I can't sit here and say that I'm not scarred in some way... you just live in the moment." [21:38]

• Sense of Duty:
  Olahi emphasizes the inherent motivation behind choosing a career in law enforcement: "You get asked why you want to do this... in the end, that's really what you're doing—helping people." [21:38]

5. Transition to Crime Scene Investigation (CSI)

After years in various roles within the state police, Olahi sought a more hands-on position, leading to his transition into crime scene investigation.

• Career Shift:
  "In 2016, I put in for and actively requested a demotion back to sergeant and sought the job as a crime scene investigator." [07:22]

• Motivation:
  Desire to make a more direct impact through investigative work: "Getting my hands dirty again with actual criminal work and using my investigative skill to make more of a difference." [07:22]

6. Training and Role of CSIs

Olahi delves into the rigorous training and multifaceted responsibilities of a CSI, contrasting real-life procedures with their portrayal in media.

• Training Program:
  "The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy runs a crime scene investigation school... it's a four-week long school, 40 hours a week." [25:40]

• Documentation and Photography:
  Emphasizing the critical role of accurate documentation: "The primary job of any crime scene investigator is to document what's there, predominantly done with photographs." [36:07]

• CSI Effect:
  Addressing misconceptions perpetuated by television: "Real life is more like Reno 911—outlandish and filled with unique characters, unlike the polished portrayals on TV." [16:16]

7. Discussion on Pathologists vs. Forensic Pathologists

A pivotal part of the conversation revolves around the distinctions between general pathologists and forensic pathologists, especially within the Indiana coroner system.

• Definitions:
  "All forensic pathologists are pathologists, but they undergo additional training and certification." [36:19]

• Coroner System Critique:
  Olahi critiques the Indiana coroner system for its lack of stringent requirements: "Coroners can pick and choose who performs autopsies for them... often laypeople without medical training." [38:12]

• Need for Medical Examiner System:
  Advocating for a centralized medical examiner system to ensure thorough and accurate autopsies: "Indiana would be best served by a regional medical examiner system... with centralized labs." [40:42]

8. Influence of Dean Marks

Olahi acknowledges the significant impact of Dean Marks, a prominent figure in the Indiana CSI community, on his career and training.

• Mentorship and Training:
  "Dean was the driver behind the crime scene investigator school... trained most of the state police CSIs in the last 20 years." [43:04]

• Legacy:
  Marks' extensive experience and dedication set high standards within the CSI community: "He was in the right place at the right time... he is predominantly the person who trained most of the state police crime scene investigators." [43:04]

9. Specialties within Crime Scene Investigation

While general CSIs handle various aspects of crime scene processing, Olahi explains the existence of specialized fields within the profession.

• Specializations:
  "There are experts in areas like bloodstain analysis, shooting reconstruction... State police requires continuous education to maintain these specialties." [44:28]

• Versatility Required:
  Emphasizing the need for CSIs to be adaptable and knowledgeable across multiple disciplines: "From a state police perspective, you're expected to be able to do a little bit of everything." [44:41]

10. The CSI Effect and Public Perception

Olahi discusses how media representations influence public expectations and legal proceedings.

• Reality vs. Fiction:
  "Real life is more like Reno 911... it's a caricature of law enforcement, but you just can't make this stuff up sometimes." [16:16]

• Implications in Court:
  The selective presentation of evidence can shape juries' perceptions: "The jury and the judge may only see 2% of the photos taken at a scene... you're looking through a keyhole." [36:07]

11. The Role of Photography in Crime Scene Investigation

A significant portion of the discussion highlights the importance of meticulous photographic documentation in CSIs' work.

• Purposeful Documentation:
  "There's a lot of thought that goes into each of these shots... capturing the essence of what's at the crime scene." [33:50]

• Example of Effective Photography:
  Olahi shares a poignant example illustrating the storytelling power of crime scene photos: "I thought those two pictures really tell a story... people remember those kind of things." [33:57]

• Limitations and Scope:
  Acknowledging that only a fraction of photos are ever presented in court: "We're not deleting any photos, but only a small percentage is shown to the jury or judge." [36:07]

12. Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Olahi wraps up his insights by emphasizing the unpredictable nature of law enforcement and the continuous learning inherent in his role.

• Adaptability:
  "You never know what you're going to see or learn from a scene... it's really unpredictable." [25:44]

• Legacy and Learning:
  "I've been blessed to learn from people who are experts... I hope that I carry on their legacy." [12:05]

• Closing Reflection:
  "Law enforcement is moments and hours of boredom interrupted by intense, brief spurts of chaos." [16:16]

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• On Career Motivation:
  "You want to help people. And in the end, that's really what you're doing." — Brian Olahi [21:38]

• On Transition to CSI:
  "I wanted to be more intimately involved with the minutiae of the cases." — Brian Olahi [23:32]

• On Photography's Importance:
  "The primary job of any crime scene investigator is to document what's there." — Brian Olahi [36:07]

• On the CSI Effect:
  "Real life is more like Reno 911... you just can't make this stuff up sometimes." — Brian Olahi [16:16]

• On Pathologist vs. Forensic Pathologist:
  "Forensic pathologists have expertise in cause and manner of death and specific injuries." — Brian Olahi [36:19]

Conclusion

This episode offers a rare, detailed glimpse into the life and experiences of a seasoned crime scene investigator. Brian Olahi's reflections provide valuable insights into the complexities of law enforcement, the critical role of accurate crime scene documentation, and the challenges posed by systemic issues within forensic pathology. For true crime enthusiasts and those interested in the inner workings of criminal investigations, this episode serves as an enlightening resource.