Availability Inquiry

Barbara Butcher

Keynote Speaker - Forensic Trailblazer, Author, Netflix & Oxygen True Crime Consultant

Fee Range: $15,000 *

Travels From: New York, NY, United States

Burnout Author Business Crisis Management Growth Law Overcoming Adversity Women's Empowerment

Barbara Butcher is a trailblazing death investigator who led over 5,500 death scenes as Manhattan’s first long-tenured female. Now an international forensics expert, acclaimed author, and true crime voice on Netflix and Oxygen, she brings her gripping insights to stages worldwide.

Burnout Business Crisis Management Women's Empowerment Overcoming Adversity Author Law Growth

*These fees are subject to change based on factors such as the type of event, travel requirements, and the nature of the appearance.

Meet 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 corporate or private events, keynote speeches, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances. Our agency will work directly with your organization and our keynote speakers to create an unforgettable event.

The Mollie Plotkin Group is the leading keynote speakers agency and entertainment bureau bringing excitement to audiences, clients, and employees. We represent subject-matter experts in every possible field, so whether we’re your partner in creating a memorable meeting, or your meeting planner’s secret weapon in securing the perfect keynote speaker, we’re in this with you.

Biography

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.

How to Hire Barbara Butcher

Find out how to hire Barbara Butcher to appear at your next event. Contact the Mollie Plotkin Group to inquire about Barbara Butcher’s availability and cost. When booking Barbara Butcher for an event, we need to know the type of venue and location the event will take place. Barbara Butcher is a popular choice for corporate events, private events, and virtual events. So, you can click the Check Availability button or contact us and an MPG Barbara Butcher booking agent will get back to you within 48 hours.

Barbara Butcher Booking Fee

How much to book Barbara Butcher depends on the type of event. So, the cost to hire Barbara Butcher for corporate or private events is available by contacting a Mollie Plotkin Group Agent. Notably, Barbara Butcher is available for conferences, festivals, private parties and events. Just contact the Mollie Plotkin Group and tell the booking agent the proposed date, time, and location.

Speaking Topics & Programs

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.

Testimonials

“Barbara Butcher is a scintillating speaker. Our audience at the New York Junior League was spellbound by her presentation. She has an amazing story to tell but is also warm and engaging. She graciously chatted with our members and everyone was delighted to meet her. Now she is our favorite TV star.” – Lisa Abel & Gayla Merrick, Sustainer Lunch Chairmen, New York Junior League

Books

What the Dead Know: Learning About Life As a New York City Death Investigator

A riveting, deeply personal memoir of more than twenty years of death-scene investigations by New York City death investigator Barbara Butcher.

Barbara Butcher was recovering from addiction problems and unhappy relationships when she landed a job at the Medical Examiner’s Office in New York City. The second woman ever hired for the role of Death Investigator in Manhattan, she was the first to last more than three months. The work was gritty and demanding, sometimes dangerous. And she loved it.

In a voice full of attitude—a real New Yorker some might say—Barbara writes about what it was like not to go a day on the job without seeing a victim of homicide or some other violent crime. She investigated double homicides, gruesome suicides, and most heartbreaking of all, underage rape victims who had also been murdered. Butcher describes working at the world’s largest morgue following 9/11, where she and her colleagues initially relied on family members’ descriptions to help distinguish among the 21,900 body parts of the victims.

Butcher spent ten years in the field during which time she examined more than 5,500 death scenes, 680 of which were homicides. Perfect for fans of Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell, as well as fans of the CSI shows, What the Dead Know tells the stunning real life-story of a career dedicated to investigating death, and how it brought the author to life.

Purchase now >