Meet the 'feminist civilian' sociologist who got SAS soldiers to talk

An easygoing nature and the occasional swear word have helped Dr Samantha Crompvoets uncover the truth behind the shocking stories of the conduct of Australia's special forces in Afghanistan.

Samantha Crompvoets became emotional when she re-read her report a few weeks ago. "I had quite deliberately forgotten some of the really shocking details." Aishah Kenton

Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondent

Dec 11, 2020 – 11.14am

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For five years, Samantha Crompvoets had been sitting on some of the military's most shameful secrets.

But it was only a few weeks ago when the sociologist re-read her report that kick started an inquiry into war crime allegations levelled against Australian special forces soldiers in Afghanistan that the emotions welled up.

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Andrew TillettForeign affairs, defence correspondentAndrew Tillett writes on politics, foreign affairs, defence and security from the Canberra press gallery.