Barbara Butcher

Barbara Butcher is no ordinary speaker. As Manhattan’s first female death investigator to serve a lasting tenure, she has decoded over 5,500 death scenes and investigated some of history’s most infamous tragedies. With sharp intellect and unflinching resolve, Barbara brings death investigation to life—captivating audiences with stories that combine forensic science with raw human insight.

Her resume is unmatched: lead investigator at the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, author of the bestselling What the Dead Know, consultant for the World Health Organization, and a featured expert on Netflix’s Homicide: New York and Oxygen’s The Death Investigator.

A celebrated speaker, Butcher captivates audiences with her real-life experiences, sharp wit, and unique ability to blend the science of death investigation with deeply human storytelling. Barbara Butcher is available to be booked for corporate and private events. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group today to inquire about Barbara Butcher’s fees.

Want to book Barbara Butcher for an event?

Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group at 215-995-0905 to book Barbara Butcher for a keynote speech, corporate event, leadership program, workshop, fireside chat, virtual appearance, or other private or professional event.

Our team will help confirm Barbara Butcher’s availability, speaking fee, travel requirements, and fit for your audience. To start the booking process, please share your event date, location, audience size, event format, and the type of presentation you are looking for.

The Mollie Plotkin Group is a full-service keynote speaker agency and entertainment bureau that helps organizations secure keynote speakers, entertainers, athletes, celebrities, and thought leaders for corporate meetings, conferences, fundraisers, and special events.

A Career at the Crossroads of Science and Justice

Barbara Butcher’s career in forensic investigation spans 23 years, with much of her time spent at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner. Rising through the ranks from Medicolegal Investigator to Director of Forensic Investigations, she became responsible for overseeing thousands of death investigations, disaster planning, victim identification, and evidence analysis. She was only the second woman ever hired for the role of Death Investigator in Manhattan and the first to last more than three months. In total, she has investigated more than 5500 death scenes and 680 homicides. Her ability to lead in high-pressure environments made her an indispensable asset to the city’s forensic response efforts.

Investigating History’s Defining Tragedies

Barbara was at the forefront of the remains recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site after 9/11, where she played a critical role in identifying victims and bringing closure to grieving families. She also helped lead forensic investigations into the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the crash of Flight 587 in Queens, which claimed 265 lives. Her expertise in mass fatality management has since been sought by governments and organizations around the world.

Training the Next Generation

Recognizing the need for standardized training in forensic sciences, Barbara founded the nationally recognized Forensic Sciences Training Program at OCME. She has taught at the NYU School of Medicine, New York Medical College, and Louisiana State University, equipping future forensic investigators, medical professionals, and law enforcement personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of death investigation.

A Global Authority in Forensics

Barbara’s influence extends far beyond New York City. She has consulted for the World Health Organization, offering her expertise in disaster response and victim identification following global catastrophes such as the 2004 tsunami in Thailand and the London Underground bombing. Her work has shaped policies and protocols for international mass fatality management, solidifying her reputation as a leading authority in the field.

Sharing Her Story

A gifted storyteller, Barbara’s speaking engagements are as gripping as they are informative. Whether recounting crime scene investigations, discussing the ethical complexities of forensic science, or exploring the human stories behind the data, she brings an unparalleled depth of experience and insight to her audiences.

In addition to speaking, she is a published author, having written extensively on forensic science, criminal investigations, and her journey into the world of death investigation. Her newest book, What the Dead Know, details the stunning real-life stories of her career as an investigator. Barbara also recently joined the cast of Netflix’s Homicide: New York, offering expert analysis on real-life murder cases and the investigative process behind solving them.

To hire Barbara Butcher for an event, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with the proposed event date, location, audience size, event format and program goals. Barbara Butcher is available for corporate events, conferences, leadership meetings, private events, workshops, fireside chats and virtual programs.

After receiving your request, a Mollie Plotkin Group booking agent will review Barbara Butcher’s availability, discuss the event details and get back to you within 48 hours with next steps for securing Barbara Butcher for your program.

The cost to book Barbara Butcher depends on the event date, location, format, audience size and scope of the appearance. Barbara Butcher’s speaking fee starts at $15,000, while virtual programs typically start at $7,500. Speaking fees may vary for keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, private events, corporate meetings and virtual programs.

For the most accurate Barbara Butcher booking fee, contact the Mollie Plotkin Group with your event details. Our team will help confirm availability, pricing and the best format for your event.

The Power of Perception: How to See What Others Miss

Barbara Butcher—television personality, international forensics expert, and the first woman to hold a long-term tenure as Manhattan’s death investigator—knows that observation is everything. With over 5,500 death scenes behind her, Barbara reveals how perception can mean the difference between assumption and truth. In this gripping keynote, she draws parallels between forensic investigation and decision-making in high-stakes professional environments. Through unforgettable true crime stories and field-tested insight, she teaches audiences how to see what others miss.

Through riveting case stories—like a purported shootout that turned out to be a single stray bullet—Barbara shows how our assumptions often blind us to what’s really happening. She connects death scene investigation and the everyday work of leaders, teams, and organizations, offering practical tools to hone observational awareness, question assumptions, and make more informed decisions.

Whether you’re leading a team, selling to clients, or trying to understand your customers better, this talk offers a forensic approach to perception and deduction that will sharpen your edge and expand your insight.

• Learn how to question assumptions through the lens of real homicide investigations.
• Gain tools to sharpen observational awareness and improve high-pressure decision-making.
• Explore how the skills of a top forensic investigator translate directly to leadership, sales, and strategy.

Best for leadership summits, sales teams, legal or healthcare conferences, and organizations navigating complex decisions.

A Fireside Chat with Barbara Butcher

Pull back the curtain on the real world of death investigation with Barbara Butcher—renowned criminology author, Netflix and Oxygen true crime expert, and one of the most pioneering women in forensic science. In this interactive format, Barbara shares candid insights from her 23-year career, including her most unforgettable cases, the toll of working in forensic science, and the lessons she’s learned along the way.

No script, no filter—just riveting, real-life storytelling and open Q&A with one of the most sought-after voices in true crime. She’ll even reveal behind-the-scenes moments from Homicide: New York and The Death Investigator.

Contact us today to discuss tailoring Barbara’s fireside chat to your audience, we’ll work closely with you to curate the perfect talk for your event.

• Customize the conversation to cover Barbara’s most iconic cases or her forensic consulting work.
• Audience Q&A lets attendees explore topics from criminal justice to media storytelling.
• Get an insider perspective from the author of What the Dead Know and a veteran of over 680 homicide investigations.

Perfect for client-facing events, association conferences, legal or investigative audiences, and true crime fan communities.