About the Author: Gordon Cramer
Gordon Cramer is the lead researcher and author of the Somerton Secrets project, a definitive 15-year investigation into Australia’s most enduring cold case. His methodology is uniquely shaped by his professional background in the Police Service (CID), where he served during the transition into modern criminal intelligence.
A Professional Investigative Lens
Gordon’s approach to the Somerton Man case is grounded in formal forensic and intelligence training. During his service, he was attached to one of the UK's first Criminal Intelligence 'Collator' Offices, gaining early insights into the systematic analysis of clandestine data.
Crucially, his time with the Scenes of Crime Office (SOCO) included mentorship under Detective Derek Leighton, the renowned forensic officer responsible for the recovery of evidence in the infamous Moors Murders case. This foundational experience in meticulous evidence collection and "crime scene logic" is what Gordon now applies to the Somerton Man evidence, such as the Boxall Rubaiyat and its concealed micro-codes.
Current Research & Methodology
By combining "old school" investigative tradecraft with modern digital archival research (National Archives of Australia, Trove), Gordon bridges the gap between historical mystery and forensic science. His upcoming 160,000-word book, Somerton Secrets, utilizes this professional experience to present a cited, verifiable account of the case that challenges 77 years of speculation.
About The Blog
Welcome to the Tamam Shud Blog – Australia's leading investigation into the Somerton Man Mystery. This blog represents 15 years of systematic research combining professional investigative methodology with cutting-edge forensic techniques. The work has gained official recognition from the South Australia Police, who formally requested evidence submission to the current Coroner's Inquest. (2024) It is a story of learning and of innovations leading eventually to a series of discoveries and a new lens through which the Somerton Man case can be viewed.
Official Recognition
2024 – South Australia Police: Formally requested to provide a statement and evidence for the Somerton Man inquest. The statement focused on my interviews with Mr.Paul Lawson, the maker of the plaster bust. Police also acknowledged the visibility of microcode evidence presented in the research, marking the first official recognition of this groundbreaking analytical technique.
2024 – South Australia Police: Formally requested to provide a statement and evidence for the Somerton Man inquest. The statement focused on my interviews with Mr.Paul Lawson, the maker of the plaster bust. Police also acknowledged the visibility of microcode evidence presented in the research, marking the first official recognition of this groundbreaking analytical technique.
Awards & Recognition
Australian Computer Society – System Innovation of the Year Award (1988)
Brandon Hall Organization – Global award for "Fastest Content Creation Tools" in international competition (1998)
Prime Minister Bob Hawke – Personal certificate recognizing system design work for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria
Royal Humane Society – Award for rescue at sea 1968
Australian Computer Society – System Innovation of the Year Award (1988)
Brandon Hall Organization – Global award for "Fastest Content Creation Tools" in international competition (1998)
Prime Minister Bob Hawke – Personal certificate recognizing system design work for the State Electricity Commission of Victoria
Royal Humane Society – Award for rescue at sea 1968
Technology & Business Innovation
My professional career demonstrates a consistent pattern of breakthrough thinking and systematic problem-solving. In 1990, I designed an automated Warehouse Management System incorporating real-time Radio Frequency data systems—then a cutting-edge innovation. In 1998, I designed and led the development of a computer-based training package that won international recognition for speed and effectiveness.
My consulting work spanned major organizations, including IBM Australia, Ford Motor Company, General Motors (Holden), the US Marine Corps, Harley Davidson, Nissan USA, and the South Australian and Western Australian Government. This experience in supply chain optimization, business process analysis, and innovative technology solutions translates directly to complex investigative research and systematic data analysis—skills essential for unraveling historical mysteries.
My professional career demonstrates a consistent pattern of breakthrough thinking and systematic problem-solving. In 1990, I designed an automated Warehouse Management System incorporating real-time Radio Frequency data systems—then a cutting-edge innovation. In 1998, I designed and led the development of a computer-based training package that won international recognition for speed and effectiveness.
My consulting work spanned major organizations, including IBM Australia, Ford Motor Company, General Motors (Holden), the US Marine Corps, Harley Davidson, Nissan USA, and the South Australian and Western Australian Government. This experience in supply chain optimization, business process analysis, and innovative technology solutions translates directly to complex investigative research and systematic data analysis—skills essential for unraveling historical mysteries.
Research Methodology & Philosophy
"Having an academic qualification is good, but it does not make a person a good investigator."
Effective investigation requires practical experience, systematic methodology, and rigorous evidence standards, qualities developed through professional police work and real-world problem-solving. My investigations follow the same standards of investigative integrity I learned in CID many years ago: all claims are substantiated with documented evidence, and unproven theories are clearly identified as such.
This transparent, evidence-based approach, combined with primary sources and technical innovation, ensures readers can distinguish between established facts and working hypotheses. The research benefits from direct interviews with key case figures, access to official documents, and proprietary forensic techniques developed specifically for this investigation.
"Having an academic qualification is good, but it does not make a person a good investigator."
Effective investigation requires practical experience, systematic methodology, and rigorous evidence standards, qualities developed through professional police work and real-world problem-solving. My investigations follow the same standards of investigative integrity I learned in CID many years ago: all claims are substantiated with documented evidence, and unproven theories are clearly identified as such.
This transparent, evidence-based approach, combined with primary sources and technical innovation, ensures readers can distinguish between established facts and working hypotheses. The research benefits from direct interviews with key case figures, access to official documents, and proprietary forensic techniques developed specifically for this investigation.
Key Discoveries & Contributions
Sub Milimetre Enhancement Technique (SMET): Development of a proprietary forensic methodology revealing concealed micro-written communications in case documents. This technique has uncovered evidence of sophisticated intelligence tradecraft using infrared and UV reactive inks and multiple concealment layers, substantiated through comparison with historical SOE training manuals.
Micro Code Analysis: Discovery and documentation of sub-millimeter hand-added text in the Boxall Rubaiyat, revealing previously unknown layers of concealed intelligence communications.
DANETTA Code Network: Statistical analysis revealing the codename "DANETTA" appearing as acrostics across multiple 1945-1949 cases, with occurrence probability estimated at approximately 1 in 625,000 to several million by chance.
Pavel Fedosimov Research: Extensive investigation into Soviet diplomat connections, including detailed tracking through FBI files, ship manifests, and direct consultation with former KGB officer Alexander Vassiliev regarding potential double agent status.
Tibor Kaldor Investigation: Comprehensive research into the mysterious death of Tibor Kaldor, whose body was found in a Hindley Street hotel just two weeks after the Somerton Man's discovery and only 35 minutes away from Somerton.
Michael Goreloff Case: Collaboration with respected researcher Peter Davidson investigating the unusual circumstances surrounding Michael Goreloff's death near Sydney on December 10, 1948.
George Marshall Research: Deep investigation into the 1945 death of George Marshall and potential connections to Cold War intelligence networks.
Clandestine Communications: Identification of sophisticated concealment techniques in the Code Page, Tamám Shud slip, and Rubaiyat copy, revealing evidence of professional intelligence tradecraft.
Webb Identification Critique: Forensic analysis challenging the 2022 identification by Professor Derek Abbott, revealing critical flaws including misidentification of ante mortem root banding, significant height discrepancies through photogrammetric analysis, and chain of custody issues with DNA samples.
Carl Webb Height confirmation. Using a known technique, phorogrametry, I was able to show that Carl Webb's height lay between 5' 6 " at the minimum to 5' 9" maximum. While others, including blogger Peter Bowes, had noted the apparent height similarity of Roy Webb and Carl Webb, no one had attempted to prove it.
Sub Milimetre Enhancement Technique (SMET): Development of a proprietary forensic methodology revealing concealed micro-written communications in case documents. This technique has uncovered evidence of sophisticated intelligence tradecraft using infrared and UV reactive inks and multiple concealment layers, substantiated through comparison with historical SOE training manuals.
Micro Code Analysis: Discovery and documentation of sub-millimeter hand-added text in the Boxall Rubaiyat, revealing previously unknown layers of concealed intelligence communications.
DANETTA Code Network: Statistical analysis revealing the codename "DANETTA" appearing as acrostics across multiple 1945-1949 cases, with occurrence probability estimated at approximately 1 in 625,000 to several million by chance.
Pavel Fedosimov Research: Extensive investigation into Soviet diplomat connections, including detailed tracking through FBI files, ship manifests, and direct consultation with former KGB officer Alexander Vassiliev regarding potential double agent status.
Tibor Kaldor Investigation: Comprehensive research into the mysterious death of Tibor Kaldor, whose body was found in a Hindley Street hotel just two weeks after the Somerton Man's discovery and only 35 minutes away from Somerton.
Michael Goreloff Case: Collaboration with respected researcher Peter Davidson investigating the unusual circumstances surrounding Michael Goreloff's death near Sydney on December 10, 1948.
George Marshall Research: Deep investigation into the 1945 death of George Marshall and potential connections to Cold War intelligence networks.
Clandestine Communications: Identification of sophisticated concealment techniques in the Code Page, Tamám Shud slip, and Rubaiyat copy, revealing evidence of professional intelligence tradecraft.
Webb Identification Critique: Forensic analysis challenging the 2022 identification by Professor Derek Abbott, revealing critical flaws including misidentification of ante mortem root banding, significant height discrepancies through photogrammetric analysis, and chain of custody issues with DNA samples.
Carl Webb Height confirmation. Using a known technique, phorogrametry, I was able to show that Carl Webb's height lay between 5' 6 " at the minimum to 5' 9" maximum. While others, including blogger Peter Bowes, had noted the apparent height similarity of Roy Webb and Carl Webb, no one had attempted to prove it.
Academic Publications & Research Integrity
I have published peer-reviewed research on Academia.edu, with additional papers prepared for publication. This places my research among the only content open to peer review as academic work on the Somerton Man case—a deliberate choice reflecting my commitment to transparent methodology and scholarly rigor.
Published Works:
- "The Danetta Code" – Book detailing early-stage discoveries in the Somerton Man case
- Upcoming Publication (December 1, 2025) – New book revealing highly significant LIAT findings on the 77th anniversary of the Somerton Man's discovery
I have published peer-reviewed research on Academia.edu, with additional papers prepared for publication. This places my research among the only content open to peer review as academic work on the Somerton Man case—a deliberate choice reflecting my commitment to transparent methodology and scholarly rigor.
Published Works:
- "The Danetta Code" – Book detailing early-stage discoveries in the Somerton Man case
- Upcoming Publication (December 1, 2025) – New book revealing highly significant LIAT findings on the 77th anniversary of the Somerton Man's discovery
Source Network
The research benefits from an extensive network of authoritative sources, including:
- Ex-Detective Sergeant Gerry Feltus – Author of "The Unknown Man" and former SA Police lead investigator of the Somerton Man Cold case
- Paul Lawson – Creator of the Somerton Man bust; maintained friendship during the final four years of his life
- Alexander Vassiliev – Former KGB researcher and author; direct consultation on Soviet intelligence operations
- Australian WWII Coast Watchers – Veterans with intelligence experience
- Military Intelligence Officers – Various retired personnel with Cold War operational knowledge
- Intelligence Community Contacts – Connections through organizations including AFIO (Association of Former Intelligence Officers)
The research benefits from an extensive network of authoritative sources, including:
- Ex-Detective Sergeant Gerry Feltus – Author of "The Unknown Man" and former SA Police lead investigator of the Somerton Man Cold case
- Paul Lawson – Creator of the Somerton Man bust; maintained friendship during the final four years of his life
- Alexander Vassiliev – Former KGB researcher and author; direct consultation on Soviet intelligence operations
- Australian WWII Coast Watchers – Veterans with intelligence experience
- Military Intelligence Officers – Various retired personnel with Cold War operational knowledge
- Intelligence Community Contacts – Connections through organizations including AFIO (Association of Former Intelligence Officers)
Current Research Focus
I am preparing for a major publication in February 2026. This work will reveal groundbreaking findings using the Sub Millimeter Enhancement Technique (SMET), including evidence of sophisticated intelligence tradecraft that has remained hidden for over seven decades.
The blog maintains over 1,000 posts documenting systematic investigation of the case, representing what I believe are "Islands of Truth adrift in an ocean of wild theories and guesswork." My approach prioritizes following evidence to conclusions rather than seeking evidence to support predetermined theories—a fundamental principle of sound investigative work.
I am preparing for a major publication in February 2026. This work will reveal groundbreaking findings using the Sub Millimeter Enhancement Technique (SMET), including evidence of sophisticated intelligence tradecraft that has remained hidden for over seven decades.
The blog maintains over 1,000 posts documenting systematic investigation of the case, representing what I believe are "Islands of Truth adrift in an ocean of wild theories and guesswork." My approach prioritizes following evidence to conclusions rather than seeking evidence to support predetermined theories—a fundamental principle of sound investigative work.
Why This Research Matters
The Somerton Man case represents more than an unsolved mystery. It offers a window into long-forgotten Cold War intelligence operations, demonstrates the evolution of forensic methodology, and shows how systematic investigation can reveal truths that remain hidden for generations. Every piece of evidence, properly analyzed, brings us closer to understanding not just one man's death, but the shadowy world of intelligence operations in the immediate post-war period and an intriguing and often misleading background to the case.
The Somerton Man case represents more than an unsolved mystery. It offers a window into long-forgotten Cold War intelligence operations, demonstrates the evolution of forensic methodology, and shows how systematic investigation can reveal truths that remain hidden for generations. Every piece of evidence, properly analyzed, brings us closer to understanding not just one man's death, but the shadowy world of intelligence operations in the immediate post-war period and an intriguing and often misleading background to the case.
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