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Forensic Files Episode Guide
Alibi, the: The Crystal
Todd Case
An
examination of the Crystal Faye Todd case. In 1991, the 17-year-old was
brutally murdered in
All Charged Up
The
city of
All Wet
A
woman’s death in
Bad Blood: The Case of
Dr. John Schneeberger
A
young rural doctor is accused of sedating and sexually assaulting two of his
female patients. DNA testing reveals that the doctor is innocent, but the women
still insist that he sedated and raped them. On three occasions blood was taken
from the doctors arm for DNA testing and each time came back as a "No
Match." Seven years later, a private investigator hired by one of the
women, takes a chap stick from the Doctor's car - has it tested for DNA, and
finds that it MATCHES the semen from the alleged rapes. The doctor had
successfully fooled DNA experts and police by inserting a tube of another man's
blood into his arm.
Badge of Deceit: The
Randy Comeaux Case
Spanning
the 1980S and 1990s, a rapist stalked women in
Bagging A Killer: The
Valiree Jackson Case
A
little girl is reported missing in a neighborhood where, police records show,
92 other sex crimes had been committed in the past decade. Police had few
leads, no evidence and only a handful of suspects. But a global positioning
device placed underneath one of the suspects cars - helped break the case - as
did the ability of forensic experts to use a new technique to lift a badly
degraded fingerprint from a garbage found near the girls remains.
Bag of Evidence, A
When
nine-year-old Jessica Knott disappears from her home and is later found
murdered, all of the tools in the arsenal of forensic scientists are brought to
bear. Painstaking analysis of hairs, tiny fibers, and a plastic garbage
covering her body leads police to a suspect – a suspect who turns out to be the
same person who made what he thought was an anonymous 911-call, reporting where
Jessica’s body could be found.
Big Chill, the
(2003)
A woman visited the hospital emergency room 31 times and doctors couldn’t find
anything wrong, until she died. Family and friends suspected
murder. Authorities weren’t sure, since the victim had been depressed and
suicidal. Forensic experts solved this case in a very unusual way, you’ll
be surprised by the outcome.
For
months, a woman suffered from what appeared to be the unpleasant side effects
of lithium, a drug prescribed to treat bipolar disorder. Her search for help
led her to numerous doctors and hospitals, and resulted in a 4,000-page medical
file. When she died, investigators had to determine if her death was due to
natural causes, suicide, or murder.
Bio-Attack: The
In
1984, hundreds of people in
Bite Out of Crime, A: The
In
1995, a rapist was on the loose in
Bitter Pill to Swallow, A
When
a 33-year-old
Bound for Jail
(2003)
The investigation into the 1986 slaying of a female jogger in a suburban
Lansing, Mich., park by someone who used a set of police handcuffs to subdue
her is recounted. For 15 years, the case went unsolved, until some luck and a
tiny piece of metal almost too small to see brought the perpetrator to justice.
The police identified a suspect and charged him with the murder in April 2001.
It’s a great story of perseverance on the part of the victim’s family and the
police.
Breaking the Mold
A
healthy three-year-old boy suddenly develops respiratory and neurological
problems, and doctors can’t explain why. Then his father begins to exhibit
signs of Alzheimer’s Disease. His mother becomes ill while traveling in an
airplane; fortunately, the passenger seated next to her makes his living by
removing toxic mold from buildings. When she tells him about her family’s
health problems, he suspects their home might be making them sick. By all
accounts, Melinda Ballard had it all: A loving husband, Ron, who was a
successful investment banker; a three-year-old son, Reese; and a beautiful home
in
Broken Promises
When
a popular gym teacher is found dead of what appears to be an accidental gunshot
wound, his family is suspicious. They think his wife may have planned his
murder. When police find that her previous husband died in questionable
circumstances, they re-examine the crime scene and find evidence that the death
was no accident. But it is a tape recorded by the victim just before his
death that tells the true story of his strange marriage and his wife’s
insatiable greed.
Bump and Run
(2002)
The case of a murdered college coed is related. The young woman's body was
found soiled and with unusual grease markings on it. Forensic investigators
used those clues to find the killer.
Burning Ambition: The
Bachmeier Case
When
a
Cats, Flies and
Snapshots: The Lori Auker Case
A
19 year-old
Cheater, the: The Walter
Scott Case
Walter
Notheis, Jr. was better known to the American public as entertainer Walter
Scott, lead singer of the band, “Bob Kuban and the In-Men.” Their most popular
single was the 1966 hit, “The Cheater.” Little did Walter know that the song
would foreshadow the events that would lead to his demise.
Chief Evidence
A
young suburban couple was murdered during what appeared to be a drug deal gone
awry. But police found no drugs in the home of the victims – and there were no
traces of the victims’ blood on the clothing of the suspects. The victims’ dog,
Chief, eventually led police to the killer.
Church Disappearance: The
Cassie Hansen Case
When
a six year old girl disappears from church during a Sunday service,
investigators fear a stalker is preying on children in the church shadows. A
psychological profile of the perpetrator lead investigators to taxi cab driver
who was in the vicinity of the church at the time of the disappearance. His
'masseuse' revealed that the cab driver liked to discuss his fantasies during
his weekly massages. One fantasy closely resembled the church abduction.
Clutch of Witnesses, A:
The Erik Schrieffer Case
Two
witnesses watch in horror as the driver of a truck intentionally runs over an
unconscious man in an alley, outside of a “biker” bar. When the witnesses
return to the scene after summoning help, both the truck and the body are gone.
When the truck is finally located, a forensic lab cannot find a single speck of
blood anywhere on it. And the body doesn’t turn up either.
While
standing outside of a motorcycle gang’s clubhouse, two witnesses watched in
horror as a truck intentionally ran over an unconscious man – not once, but
twice. Fearing for their safety, the witnesses ran into the clubhouse;
when they looked outside, both the truck and the victim were gone. The
truck was finally located, but the forensics lab could not find a single speck
of evidence in it. And the body didn’t turn up either.
Cold Storage
Tracy
Jo Shine grew up in a middle-class home in
Deadly Knowledge
When
a well-respected young woman goes missing, her boyfriend and family fear she
has been murdered. A police investigation reveals details about her past
that no one -- not even her closest friends -- suspected: She was a
student by day and a $200-an-hour call-girl by night. Her many clients
were all suspects in her disappearance, as was her boyfriend. But when
her body is discovered, police obtain evidence that reveals her killer and more
details about a bizarre double life and its tragic consequences.
Deadly Neighborhoods: The
Cancer Cluster Case
Troubling
clusters of deadly cancer cases strike concerned communities across the
country. In a
Death Play: The Marie
Robards Case
Marie
Robards suffered the devastating loss of her father while she was still in high
school. The death was ruled the result of cardiac arrest. One year later, she
won a part in her high school production of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The lines she
was required to recite onstage were more than the thoughts and feelings of her
character; they struck a chord, and hinted at her own inner turmoil, from the
secret she had been hiding.
Dessert Served Cold
When
a
Dew Process: The Glenn
Wolseiffer Case
The
wife of a well-known dentist was found strangled inside her home in the quiet
town of
Disappearance of Helle
Crafts, the: The Helle Craft Case
A
lovely
Double Trouble: The
Melissa Padilla Case
When
a Maine State Trooper is attacked during a routine stop it triggers a chain of
events which jump starts a stalled murder case hundreds of miles away. The
Dressed to Kill
When
six year-old Michelle Door disappeared without a trace, her father, Carl,
became the prime suspect. Carl failed a polygraph test, and even confessed to
the murder of his daughter. But the confession was rooted in exhaustion, guilt,
and mental illness, and was later discounted. Years later, police learned that
a man who had been convicted of another murder lived just two doors away from
Michelle at the time of her disappearance. This discovery, and tiny drops of
blood shed a decade earlier, enabled police to solve the crime.
Elephant Tracks
An
elderly couple was bludgeoned to death in their home, but the crime went
unsolved. Two years later, the owner of a pawn shop was looking through a stack
of old newspapers and came across an article about the murders. There was a
photograph of the victims, and the woman pictured was wearing an unusual
elephant pendant necklace – a necklace which the owner realized was in her
shop. Not only that, she still had the pawn ticket, identifying who had sold
the jewelry.
Fire Proof
In
1992, residents in and around
Fire.Com: The Terri
Hinson Case
When
a federal agency rules that a fire was intentionally set, the mother of the
child killed in the suspicious fire was charged with murder. But are government
scientists, with all of their resources, always right? The accused in this case
undertook her own arson investigation, and was able to poke enough holes in the
governments scientific conclusions - to raise serious questions about whether
the fire was intentionally set, or was an accident.
Footpath Murders, the:
The Colin Pitchfork Case
English
detectives team up with a pioneering scientist to crack a case of sexual
assault and serial murder. In 1983, a quiet country village is gripped with
fear as authorities search for the killer of 15-year-old Lynda Mann. Clueless,
they start again when Dawn Ashworth is killed three years later. They enlist
the help of Dr. Alec Jeffreys, a molecular biologist who uses his breakthrough
technique of genetic fingerprinting to rule out one suspect by comparing his
DNA with that of semen found on the victims' bodies. Police set up a DNA
dragnet to trap and convict the real killer. This 1986 murder case is the first
to use DNA as evidence in a criminal case.
Forever Hold your Peace:
The
When
a young man confessed to the rape and murder of a woman in a Pizza Hut
restaurant, police are convinced the case has been solved. Eight years later,
another man imprisoned for an unrelated crime, admits HE committed the Pizza
Hut murder. But authorities viewed that admission as unfounded. They could not
understand why an innocent man would confess to a crime he did not commit, and
if he was innocent, why had he said nothing during his eight years in prison?
Foundation of Lies: The
Noreen Boyle Case
In
Frozen Evidence: Ontario
Shoe Print
If
a perpetrator leaves a shoe print in the mud, investigators use established
techniques to made a mold of the shoe impression for later identification. But
what happens if the impression is left in the snow? Here's the story of one
Canadian investigator, whose quick thinking and knowledge of science enabled
him to capture a shoe impression made in snow, before the evidence melted away.
Frozen In Time
A
beautiful 23-year-old girl was driving home after a rock concert when her tire
blew out. Investigators found her car, but no trace of her. At first there were
hundreds of leads, but after three years, the trail turned cold. Police got a
break when someone called to report a suspicious truck in a neighbor’s
driveway; something inside that truck was plugged into an electrical outlet,
allowing the device to run 24?hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year. Suddenly, the cold
trail turned even colder.
Ghost in the Machine
In
May of 1999, a Presbyterian minister in South Dakota called 9-1-1. His wife was
unconscious in the bathtub. Emergency medical crews could not revive her, and
she died. She had ingested large doses of several medications, a behavior
common in suicide. The minister said his wife had been distraught, but bits of
deleted computer files suggested a murder plot. Bizarre tales of infidelity and
the courtroom revelation of what could be a suicide note, challenge an array of
forensic experts to find the truth: suicide, or murder?
Hair of the Dog
(2003)
The police are forced to rely on a murder victim's canine for help when their
investigation turns up little evidence in the case.
Hand Delivered: The Don
Hardin Case
Anonymous
letters sent through the United States mail aren't always untraceable. One such
letter, an anonymous "tip" to police about a murder, mentioned
information about the crime that had been withheld from the press. It was
information only the killer would know. Laser technology helped to identify the
state, city, street address and even the office number from where the anonymous
letter was mailed. This narrowed the list of suspects significantly.
Horse Play: The Shannon
Mohr Case
A
young, happily married woman dies tragically in what looks to be a horseback
riding accident. Her husband seems far from grief-stricken, and investigators
discover a web of lies and a proficiency with pharmaceuticals in his
background, that provide an alternative explanation for the woman's
"accidental" death.
House Call
The
murder of a well respected surgeon in an upscale waterfront apartment community
left police in St. Petersburg, Florida baffled. Cell phone mapping, wiretapping
and a host of other forensic evidence would uncover a twisted conspiracy, and
bring the doctor’s killers to justice.
House That Roared, the:
The Caren Campano Case
Caren
Campano disappears, and her husband's story doesn't hold up. Police find a
large stain on the Campano's bedroom carpet. They perform an eerie chemical
test that reveals a room spattered with blood which, when cleaned off, could
not be seen by the naked eye. Complex "reverse paternity" tests of
Caren's relatives match her blood type to the blood on the carpet. The evidence
convicts Chris Campano of murder. The body isn't found until a year later.
Insect Clues: The Sandra
Cwik Case
Drifter
Sandra Cwik was murdered in southern California in July 1988. Abandoned in a
remote area, her body was discovered several days later -- decomposing with the
aid of maggots. By analyzing the species of fly discovered at the recovery
site, forensic entomologist David Faulkner provides the compelling
time-of-death evidence that convicted serial rapist Ronald Porter.
Journey to Justice
What
does a prosecutor do when he has evidence linking a habitual drunk driver to a
hit-and-run in which a child is killed, and he needs to make the crash clear to
jurors? In this case, he combines the talents of an accident
reconstruction expert with a video specialist to create graphic demonstration
of the moment of impact. This case was the first in which video in the
courtroom withstood an appeal, and helped make “video testimony” viable in
other cases.
Killer's 'Cattle'log: The
Copeland Killings
When
police in the Great Plains are called to retrieve a dead body, they do a
background check on the victim. The trail leads them into a bizarre web of
homeless drifters, cattle auctions and bad checks - all fronted by an elderly
couple with a penchant for money and murder.
“Kill”igraphy: The Alvin
Ridley Case
In
1997, a man in Ringgold, Georgia considered mentally unstable by his neighbors,
was accused of killing his wife. Marks on the body seemed to clearly indicate
his guilt. But then a medical detective took a fresh look at the case. To him,
the marks on the body told a different story - one that had very little to do
with murder. By using his knowledge in forensics and logic, he discovered the
actual cause of death and saved the life of the accused in the process.
Last Will
Seventeen-year-old
Shari Faye Smith was abducted in broad daylight, in front of her own home. The
kidnapper tormented her family with phone calls, leading them to believe Shari
was alive – and then they received a letter he’d forced Shari to write, her
“last will and testament.” This document would lead investigators to Shari’s
killer, a fitting postscript to a heinous crime.
Lasting Impression
When
the decomposed body of a young girl is discovered, police have no clues to her
identity. But days earlier, a stabbing victim told them she thought she
might have witnessed a murder. Police think the cases might be
related, and to prove it, turn to bug larvae found on the body and a surprise
piece of evidence: a tiny wad of chewing gum found near the victim’s body.
Legionaires’ Disease: The
Legionaires Convention Case
This
disease is one of the most famous medical detective stories, especially
irritating for its missteps and frustrations. When 180 Legionnaires contract
pneumonia-like symptoms after a Philadelphia Convention, and 29 of them die,
doctors are mystified. Bureaucratic tie-ups and medical mistakes make matters
worse. Twenty years later, all that we know about Legionnaires' Disease is that
it breaks out every few years somewhere in the world.
Leg to Stand On, A
Late
one night in June of 1992, a trash collector in Phoenix made a gruesome
discovery. A severed human leg, cut at the thigh and adorned with jeans shorts,
was found in a dumpster behind a local grocery store. The startled man
immediately called the authorities. The police arrived on the scene, and
proceeded to take numerous pictures and search the area for more clues.
However, they had little else to go on. All they found was a bloody saw used to
cut the leg. The police had a seemingly impossible task. There was a
murderer-mutilator on the loose, and all they had to track him down was a leg.
Line of Fire: The Phineas
Priests
When
a fundamentalist group starts attacking and robbing banks in the Pacific
Northwest, authorities know immediately that they are dealing with experienced
criminals. A tip leads them to the alleged perpetrators and the evidence found
at their homes is extensive and incriminating. But in court, this wealth of
evidence must withstand a well-funded defense. Finally, two juries -- in an extraordinarily
high profile case -- are presented with a combination of old fashioned forensic
science and the latest in crime technology in order to render a verdict.
List Murders, the: The
John List Case
In
1971, John List left a note with the bodies of his mother, wife, and three
children in his mansion ballroom, funeral organ music blaring from a central
sound system, and disappeared. Eighteen years later, all detectives had to work
from was an outdated photograph of List. In 1989, the popular television series
America's Most Wanted commissioned an age-scaled bust of List to aid viewers in
identifying the confessed murderer. Dr. Frank Bender, nationally-recognized
artist and sculptor, worked with forensic psychologist Richard Walter to
develop a profile of the aging List. The final bust was so keenly accurate that
350 viewers called with tips, one of which led to List's arrest.
Magic Bullet, the: The
Trey Cooley Case
Fifteen-year-old
Trey Cooley dies from a mysterious gunshot wound to the head while he sits in
the lobby of his father's gun club. Gumshoe investigation, ballistics, laser
technology, made-to-scale models and the latest in forensic animation determine
that the bullet that killed him followed a tragic course after a misfire at the
outdoor range.
Man's Best Friend?: The
John Miller/Debbie Loveless Case
The
case of John Miller and Debbie Loveless is related. In 1989, they reported to
police the death of their 4-year-old daughter, who they claimed was attacked by
dogs. The authorities, however, believed the girl died from knife wounds and
charged them with murder. Five years after their convictions, forensic evidence
proved that their initial story was the truth.
When
a young girl was found dead in her back yard, her parents told police that she
was attacked and killed by the family dogs. Investigators did not agree and
believed that the girl's wounds were not dog bites at all, but a slashing
injury, consistent with a knife wound. The parents were found guilty of murder
and sentenced to life in prison. Five years later, the parent's prayers were
answered when a forensic scientist saw something in the crime scene photographs
that had been missed the first time around.
Marathon Man
On
February 14, 2000, Bob Dorotik’s body was found on a mountain road near his
family’s horse ranch. His wife told police that Bob had gone jogging and never
returned, but investigators had their doubts. He had been beaten and strangled,
and it appeared that someone else had dressed him. Authorities began tracing
the crime back to the family’s ranch, leading them to think Bob Dorotik didn’t
leave home alone.
Material Evidence: The
Krista Harrison Case
In
1982, a young girl was found dead in Marshallville, Ohio, the victim of an apparent
sex-killer. There was little evidence of the killer's identity, but authorities
focused on the unusual orange fibers embedded in clothing found near the
victim. Months passed and the case went cold, until a van turned up with what
appeared to be the same orange fibers. With many inconsistencies in the case,
the police had to turn to the latest in forensic technology to prove a definite
correlation between the crime and their suspect.
Memories: The Kevin Green
Case
In
1979, a pregnant woman was brutally raped and attacked in her home in Tustin,
California. Her unborn child was killed during the savage act. After awaking
from her coma, and regaining her memory, she identified her husband as the
perpetrator. The semen that was found at the crime scene also matched her
husband's blood type. Her husband was convicted and spent 16 years in jail,
during which time he proclaimed his innocence and protested his sentence.
During the time of the murder investigation, DNA testing was in its infancy and
not completely conclusive. Many years later, a new DNA test and an innovative
computer program would lead investigators to question just how accurate the
wife's "recovered memory" really was.
Metal Business, the
It
looked like sixty-two-year-old Phillip Rouss, Jr. had it all: family, friends,
and a new business which was the culmination of a life-long dream. Then his
health began to deteriorate. Doctors couldn’t pinpoint the cause of the illness
and Phil began to suspect his condition was no accident. Toxicologists and
investigators identified the real problem just in time to save Phil’s life.
Missing in Time: The
Carolyn Killaby Case
A
young woman was reported missing after a fight with her husband. She was
presumed to be dead and her husband was the prime suspect. Police were
suspicious of a secondary suspect when he reported a suspicious fire in his
car. Two tiny drops of blood were found in the burned interior. Traditional DNA
testing was difficult, since there was no body for DNA comparison. But a tiny
clue inside the suspect's watchband, and a popular television show, helped
solve the case.
Missing Pearl: The Pearl
Bruns Case
A
woman does not return home and, despite pleas from her family, police insist on
treating it as a routine missing person's case. But when an investigation turns
up a blood trail that leads to the couple's basement, police are sure they'll
find the victim's body. But they find nothing. The case stalls until new
forensic technology leads investigators to the body.
Mistaken for Dead: The Hanson/Hawkins
Scam
The
death of a patient at the office of Glendale, Cal., doctor Richard Boggs leads
investigators to a bizarre scheme involving an insurance scam, switched
identities and murder.
When
a man dies unexpectedly in the office of a noted California doctor, police
begin what they think will be a routine investigation. What they find throws
doubt on the identity of the dead man and raises questions about the doctor's
role in his death. Soon they uncover a bizarre story of corpse stealing, faked
identities, and sexual perversion -- all part of an elaborate insurance case
that will center on what actually caused the victim's death: a sex act gone
wrong, or premeditated murder.
Music Case, the
When
12-year-old Cally Jo Larson was found dead in her own home, it shattered the
sense of security residents usually associated with Waseca, Minnesota. Despite
a meticulous search of the Larson home and an exhaustive investigation, police
had no suspects. Then a string of burglaries several months after the murder
led police to a cache of stolen goods, which included CD cases similar to those
belonging to Cally Jo. That evidence would “make the case,” and bring a killer
to justice.
Naked Justice: The Leann
Fletcher Case
The
29-year-old, pregnant wife of a young, successful attorney is found dead in her
Michigan home of a gunshot wound to the head. Was the wound self-inflicted, and
if it was, why would this young woman kill herself? Blood spatter analysis and
a painstaking investigation led police to the truth.
Nursery Crimes: The
Genene Jones Case
Why
did children in a Texas hospital seem to be dying at a higher rate than at any
other hospital in the country? Medical investigators had no immediate answers
until they discovered that one nurse seemed to be on duty in almost all of the
fatal cases. But proving the connection seemed impossible until an
international team of doctors uncovered an unlikely murder weapon.
Once Bitten
During
the early morning hours of December 29, 1991, a woman is murdered in a Phoenix
bar. At the crime scene, investigators find a shoe-print, several foreign
hairs, and unknown fingerprints. But they believe the most telling piece of
evidence is the bite mark on the victim’s chest. Based on his bite pattern, a
local postman is charged, tried and convicted of murder, but he maintains his
innocence. Ten years into his sentence, improved technology yields new
information about old evidence, and earns him another trial.
Outbreak: The
Thyrotoxicosis Case
Alarmingly
high levels of thyroid hormones pump through the systems of South Dakota
residents. Investigators study one large family whose 12-year-old son did not
get sick. The tip-off: he's a vegetarian. It seems that when drug companies
started manufacturing synthetic thyroid hormones, they stopped buying thyroid
tissue from butchers who did not trim these parts, but rather sold them as
"extra lean beef." The outcome: the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture bans meat
plants from using meat in or near the gullet for beef and pork products.
Paintball
In
1962, the people of the small town of Hanford, California lost their sense of
peace when one of their own, 15-year-old Marlene Miller, was murdered. It would
take 24 years and countless retrials before forensic scientists discovered the
microscopic evidence that brought the killer to justice.
Palm Print Conviction
The
discovery of a woman's naked body, covered with bruises, leaves no doubt that
she was the victim of foul play. Quick-thinking investigators erected a
makeshift tent around the body and used Super Glue fumes to lift the killer’s
palm print from the victim’s skin. With this technique, they were able to
determine who had a hand in the murder.
Partners in Crime
It
takes a long time and a very hot fire to cremate a human body, and thus destroy
all evidence of foul play. But the coroner who performed the autopsy on the
badly burned body of Charles “Jack” Lynch found telltale clues. Not only had
the victim been burned, he’d also been stabbed -- 24 times, with two different
knives. Police knew that a person, acting alone, would probably use only one
weapon. So investigators were on the lookout for a couple of killers.
Pastoral Care: The Donna
Payant Case
When
the body of a female prison guard shows up in a landfill, investigators
immediately view hundreds of prisoners as suspects. The medical examiner not
only identified the cause of death, he found an important clue. It was a
"signature" element to the crime, and was similar to a murder the
medical examiner investigated ten years earlier. When he checked further, he
discovered that the same perpetrator was an inmate at the same prison. Was it
possible that the inmate committed this crime, too?
Photo Finish: The Linda
Sobek Case
A
beautiful model goes missing and no one has a clue to her whereabouts until a
park employee discovers photographs in a trash dumpster. With the photos are
some vital pieces of information which eventually lead to a professional
photographer. He claims the woman died during a consensual sexual encounter
gone wrong, but the woman's corpse and some high tech digital imagery tell a
more sinister story.
Planted Evidence: The
Seed Pod DNA Case
Police
in Arizona ask a molecular geneticist to pick out a tree in a
"lineup" when unidentified seed pods are found in a suspect's truck.
The judge rules into evidence DNA profiles linking the pods to a tree near
where the body was found. Increasingly, non-human DNA is making its way into
the court system.
Plastic Fire
Sheila
Bryan was convicted of killing her own mother in a car fire, and sentenced to
life in prison. She was set free after appealing to the Georgia Supreme Court,
but retried a few months later. Her chances of winning seemed slim – until an
expert witness advanced a different theory of how the fire started.
Punchline: The Rhoda
Nathan Case
When
an ER patient said he cut his hand on a dumpster, one doctor recognized the
injury as something else- and became the chief witness for the prosecution in a
crime involving the murder of a 67-year-old grandmother.
Pure Evil: Jason Massey
Case
Creating
a 'profile' of a serial killer, is part science and part intuition. The science
involves studying criminals who have committed similar crimes, to see what
characteristics they all have in common. One common trait among serial killers,
is a past history of abusing animals. In a search for the killer of two
teenagers in Texas, a behavioral profile led to a possible suspect - and hard
science proved the profile was correct.
Purr-fect Murder: The
Shirley Duguay Case
A
woman vanished from her home on Prince Edward Island. Her abandoned car was
found in a field; inside, the windows were spattered with blood. During the
search for her body, police found a plastic bag containing a pair of sneakers
and a bloody leather jacket. On the jacket were white hairs… hairs that
investigators discovered had come from a cat. Forensic testing on a cat had never
been done before – anywhere in the world. This case made history: It was the
first time that animal DNA was used to solve a crime.
Raw Terror: The E-Coli
Bacteria Case
The
E-Coli bacteria live in our meat supply, in our milk and in water. When food is
properly prepared and stored, E-Coli is harmless. But in the absence of these
simple precautions, E-Coli can have deadly consequences. Raw Terror tells the
story of Damion Heersink, an eleven-year-old boy who almost died after eating
an improperly cooked hamburger teeming with E-Coli, and the people who saved
his life.
Reel Danger: The Stenger
Farm Pond Case
When
two boys are viciously attacked while fishing in a nearby pond, authorities
spring into action. They suspect a group of teenage thugs, but lack solid
evidence. It would take the murky waters of a fishing hole to provide clear
evidence, and help authorities reel in the boy’s attackers.
Root of All Evil: The
Charlotte Grabbe Case
For
three years, investigators searched for the wife of a prominent farmer, who
disappeared from her home without a trace. Eventually, a former lover of the
missing woman's estranged husband came forward with a fantastic tale of rage,
murder, mutilation and cremation, but there was no way to test the validity of
her story. That is, until a plant pathologist and a dendrochronologist
conducted some tests on the plant life on the farm, which lead to a surprising
revelation.
Scout’s Honor
Police
determine that the human remains found in a discarded box belong to one Edna
Posey. But to find out when the murder took place, and whether the man accused
of the crime is guilty, investigators turn to insects and the forensic
entomologist who can interpret their behavior.
Scratching the Surface
In
Miami, Florida, a sniper opened fire from the rooftop of a manufacturing plant,
killing one employee and injuring two others in the parking lot below. Police
discovered spent shell casings on the roof, and the gun was found in the yard
of a nearby home. The shooter had scratched the serial number off of the gun,
hoping to make it untraceable. But forensic scientists had a way to make the
number reappear. Aircraft Modular, a manufacturer of airplane seats, was
located in Miami, Florida. Five employees, who were on the fast-track for
advancement, were attending evening computer classes at the company’s request.
They had formed a carpool, with one person driving and the others leaving their
cars in the company parking lot.
Second Shot at Love
When
a respected heart surgeon is found dead in the basement of his upscale
Cincinnati home, police assume he committed suicide. Friends and family
indicate that the man suffered prolonged bouts of depression and had spoken of
killing himself. But a further investigation reveals that his new wife
has a history of violence and an insatiable desire for money. The story
of how he died is finally decided in court, as teams of forensic scientists
face-off to see if the good doctor died at his own hand or was killed by his
gold-digging wife.
Shadow of a Doubt
A
woman is shot to death in her store just one day before she is to testify
against the man accused of robbing her. The robber becomes the prime suspect,
but he has a solid alibi: a time-stamped videotape of his outdoor fishing
expedition on the day of the murder. Police asked a local physics professor to
help them authenticate the videotape; he enabled them to find the killer who
was hiding in the shadows.
Shopping Spree: Lisa
Manderach Case
A
mother and her daughter leave home for a day of shopping - but are never seen
or heard from again. The little girl's body is found dumped off a roadside -
but there was no sign of her mother. The suspects included the mother, the
girl's father - as well as anyone that came into contact with the two, during
their full day of shopping. It took forensic science as well as deductive
reasoning - to find out whether the baby's mother was a suspect or victim. Once
that was determined - the other forensic clues found revealed more, than it
would have otherwise.
Shot In the Dark, A: The
Martin Frias Case
When
a woman is found dead of a gunshot wound, police conclude that she was murdered
by her husband. Investigators theorized the couple had argued, and during the
ensuing struggle, the husband shot his wife in the back, and then staged the
scene to make it look like a suicide. Forensic scientists were able to piece
together the clues and determine what really happened. In doing so, they proved
once again that truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.
Shot of Vengeance
A
34-year-old nurse experiences a variety of flu-like symptoms. None of her
doctors are able to discover the cause, until she visits the gynecologist for a
routine check-up. She then learns it’s something far worse than the flu. She is
HIV-positive. Being a nurse, she could have contracted the HIV virus in any
number of ways. In the end, science was able to determine not only how she had
been infected, but also by whom. The worst part: it wasn’t an accident.
Sibling Rivalry: The
Mitchell Brothers Case
Two
of America's premier pornographers happen to be brothers. When one turns up
dead, his brother confesses to shooting him. The question for investigators is
whether the shooting was pre-meditated. A 911 call in which the fatal shots can
be heard, and a computer reconstruction of the crime scene, provide the answer.
Sign Here
A
mother of two vanishes after a shopping trip. Her body is discovered a month
later. Witnesses say they saw the victim being forced into a car by an unknown
person. Police later learned that car had been rented, but the signature on the
rental agreement did not match that of their prime suspect. A forensic
handwriting expert showed investigators the signs that clearly pointed to the
murderer.
Sign of the Crime
(2003) There were a series of murders a few years back in New York City.
Each victim had a different astrological sign. How did the killer know
his victims’ birthdays beforehand? A forensic handwriting expert
uncovered the answer.
Sip of Sins
To
the people of Olney, Texas, 39-year-old Faryion Wardrip was a model citizen:
happily married, a valued employee and a respected Sunday school teacher.
Faryion Wardrip was also a brutal serial killer who, for years, eluded police
without suspicion. But smart police work and DNA from a discarded paper cup
proved to be Wardrip’s undoing.
Skin of Her Teeth: The
Tina Mott Case
A
human skull retrieved from a watery grave reveals a ghastly crime. Markings on
the skull indicate deep knife wounds. The teeth had been removed from the
skull, apparently so the killer could keep the victim's identity a secret. But
the killer can't out-fox authorities who identify the remains as a young mother
who disappeared two months earlier. Scientific tests indicate the killer used
19 knives, a hacksaw and needle-nosed pliers to skin his victim to the bone.
Sleight of Hand
A
rich elderly woman is murdered and her home ransacked. A trail of blood was
visible down one side of the stairs. Though investigators were able to lift
prints from the crime scene, they failed to find a match and the crime went
unsolved. Sixteen years later, advances in the science of fingerprint
identification, and the development of DNA profiling, enable police to identify
the print – and the killer.
Smoke in Your Eyes
(2003)
An interesting example of how forensic science helped determine whether a fire
was arson. Investigators also discovered that the perpetrator ignited the
fire accidentally, long before he intended.
Sniffing Revenge
A
wealthy, middle-aged woman dies suddenly and unexpectedly at home. An autopsy
finds no signs of foul play and investigators are unable to determine the cause
of death until they receive a call from the ex-wife of the dead woman’s
husband. Her claims initiate an investigation, during which the sensitive nose
of a toxicologist sniffs out murder.
Sniper’s Trail, the
(2003)
In the fall of 2002, the eyes of the world were on Virginia and Maryland. A
serial sniper was on the loose, killing innocent, unsuspecting citizens as they
went about their normal activities. By the time it was over, 13 people had been
shot, and 11 died. This program examines the behind-the-scenes forensic tests
which led to the capture of the killers, including geographic and behavioral
profiling, ballistics, crime scene animation, handwriting analysis, DNA testing
and fingerprinting. Viewers will also see an exact replica of the car – the
mobile bunker the alleged killers called home.
Soft Touch: The Dawn
Bruce Case
When
we think of looking for fingerprints at a crime scene, we generally think of
hard objects that a perpetrator may have touched a doorknob, a drinking glass -
but a fabric? Is it possible that a piece of cloth could contain a fingerprint
that would identify a killer? There now exists the technology to do just that -
and in this case, it meant justice for the parents of a young woman, who was
killed in a senseless act of revenge.
Southside Strangler: The
Timothy Spencer Case
FBI
psychological profiling and a DNA fingerprinting track identify the man who
raped and strangled five young women in Virginia. The U.S. criminal justice
system's first use of DNA profiling in a serial murder case frees an innocent
man after he spent two years in prison, and convicts a real killer.
Telltale Tracks
An
abandoned car was found on a busy Philadelphia highway; the engine was running,
the radio was blaring and the driver’s door was wide open. Investigators
suspected the driver had been the victim of a car-jacking. The next day, police
found the body of the driver: Aimee Willard, a young college co-ed, home for
summer vacation. There were unusual marks on her body… marks which eventually
led to her killer.
Time Will Tell: The
Walker Case
In
this international case of extortion, murder, and stolen identities, a Canadian
financier assumed the name of a co-worker as part of a money-laundering scheme.
Later, in 1996 off the coast of England, the man turned up dead in the ocean
with an anchor tied around his torso. The only clues to his real identity were
a Rolex watch and a maple leaf tattoo. Once the police believed that they had
discovered the man's identity, they were led to a friend of his to ask about
the victim's disappearance, only to find that someone else had assumed the
identity of the dead man. No clue proved more helpful in cracking the case than
the 10-lb. anchor to which he was attached.
Tooth or Consequences
The
investigation of the disappearance of a young woman leads police to a suspect
who has a history of sexual assault, rape, and kidnapping. But police could not
find the victim’s body, making it more difficult to connect their suspect to
the crime. Finally, police discover the remains of a charred tooth.
Superimposed images and an analysis of the elements of a dental filling give
investigators the proof they need to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Touching Recollection, A
After
an eighteen-year-old girl is kidnapped in the small town of Jackson, Ohio, the
only clue police had was a tire impression left in some soft mud. But the
victim in this case knew something about forensic evidence. She made sure to
leave her fingerprints in some dirt on the outside panel of the truck. These
two small impressions led police directly to the front door of a career
criminal.
Tourist Trap
In
1993, the state of Florida was known for more than just swimsuits, sun, and
Disneyworld. Worldwide attention focused on a rash of robberies, which targeted
tourists. Some vacationers were killed in these attacks, but some fought and
survived, despite severe injuries. One of those injuries, a bite mark, would be
the key piece of evidence used to convict a determinedly uncooperative suspect,
who ran into an even more determined detective.
Trail of Truth: The Nancy
Newman Case
One
morning in Anchorage, Alaska in 1987, a mother and her two daughters were found
brutally murdered and sexually violated. Despite the fact that the crime scene
had no shortage of evidence - fingerprints, bodily fluids and blood -
investigators could not find a conclusive link to their prime suspect. In order
to establish not only that the perpetrator was in the home, but that he was
there when the crime was committed, a FBI analyst designed an unique experiment
relying on pubic hair.
Treading Not So Lightly:
The Vicki Lyons Case
When
a 4 year old girl is found unconscious in a parking lot - police were satisfied
it was a hit and run vehicle accident, and left it at that. But the girls
mother was determined to find out what exactly what happened and what vehicle
was involved. She was a fan of murder mysteries and forensic science shows -
and used much of what she knew to find the perpetrator of the accident that
severely injured her daughter.
Treads and Threads: The
John Randall Murders
For
15 months, a serial killer was strangling prostitutes in Florida, then taunting
police by leaving the bodies in plain sight. The only clues were a tire
impression and some threads. By the time scientists identify the source of
these treads and the threads, police discover the killer was right under their
noses the entire time.
Unholy Vows: The Trifa
Case
The
flood of World War II refugees that came to the U.S after the war included
those who covered up their involvement in war crimes in order to gain entry.
Exposing the truth in these cases was extremely difficult given the passage of
time and the destruction of evidence during the war. But in 1957, witnesses
from Bucharest accused a high ranking religious figure of partaking in the
horrific crimes. Years later, this accusation was supported by the very latest
in forensics and laser technology when an incriminating postcard with genetic
material was deciphered.
Video Diary
When
a gas station/convenience store employee is found shot at point blank range,
investigators find the entire murder has been caught on the store’s videotape
security camera. But the image of the killer is so degraded it seems
impossible to positively identify him, until old fashioned forensic science and
space age technology come together to reveal his identity.
Voice From Beyond, A: The
Elkins Case
In
1999, a decomposed body was found in a barrel. An address book found along with
the body proved that the body had been in place for at least thirty years.
Despite the fact that years of moisture in the barrel had completely washed away
the ink, scientists searched for a way to reveal the information written on the
pages of the address book for possible clues. When a suspect in the
investigation killed himself, the police turned to science and the clarity of
DNA to help them solve the case.
Vow of Silence, A
In
1987, Emelita Villa came to Arlington, Texas from the Philippines as a shy,
impoverished, 18-year-old mail order bride. Six and a half years later, Emelita
disappeared. During their investigation, detectives learned that both Reeves’
second and third wives had died amid mysterious circumstances. The death of
Reeves’ second wife, Sharon, had been ruled a suicide, but blood spatter
evidence in a photo indicated she might have been murdered. An autopsy,
performed on Sharon’s body 14 years after her death, revealed even more.
Where the Blood Drops:
The Susie Mowbray Case
When
someone dies under mysterious circumstances, the spouse almost always is a
suspect - especially if they are in bed, sleeping beside the individual at the
time of their death. This is the story of a woman convicted of her husband's
murder, whose son was so convinced of her innocence that he enrolled in law
school, studied all of the evidence and, eventually, discovered the truth of
what really happened that fateful night between his mother and father.
Whodunit: The Steven
Hricko Case
An
evening out to a 'murder mystery' theater performance turns into a real life
whodunit when a badly burned body is discovered after the performance ends. But
even good 'acting' can't mask the true culprit. Lies, greed and medical
trickery can't match the skills of forensic scientists, who bring the curtain
down on the real killer.The case of Kimberly Hricko is presented. Hricko's
husband, Stephen, was discovered dead in their cabin, badly burned from the
waist up. Investigators zeroed in on the wife, who stood to collect $400,000 in
life insurance.
Who's Your Daddy: The
Margie Coffey Case
The
body of a young woman was found in an icy Ohio waterway. She had been strangled
to death, and most of the evidence had been washed away by the rushing water.
Investigators conducted a painstaking examination of the victim’s body and
clothing, and discovered a tiny clue – hardly bigger than a human hair. That
clue would enable police to determine where the victim had been just before she
died; it would also lead them to her killer.
Wilson Murder, the: The
Wilson Twins’ Case
A
wealthy Southern doctor is murdered, bashed in the head and found lying in a
pool of blood, a baseball bat nearby. Police arrest an itinerant
painter/handyman who is found with the doctor's credit cards. He accuses the
doctor's unfaithful wife and her twin sister of hiring him to commit the
murder. The wife is sent to prison, but at her sister's trial, attorneys
finally bring in a forensic expert who testifies that the crime could not have
been committed the way the painter said. The sister is acquitted. But the wife
remains in prison, and the mystery goes unsolved.
Within a Hair
In
the summer of 1996, in the River Park section of South Bend, Indiana, four
women had been sexually assaulted and the perpetrator was still at large. After
a few months, police arrested a suspect; he was identified by some – but not
all -- of the victims, and subsequently convicted of the crimes. But the story
doesn’t end there. Six years later, new developments in forensic science would
uncover startling facts about the case – and change the lives of three men and
the women who were attacked.
Without a Prayer: The
Madalyn Murray O'Hair Case
Madalyn
Murray O’Hair was the head of the American Atheists group – and she was once
called “America’s most hated woman.” When she and her two top lieutenants
disappeared, there was no shortage of suspects. The full story of her abduction
and the hatred and revenge which fueled it might never have been told, had it
not been for the discovery of a headless, handless body, and the serial number
on an artificial hip.
Woman Scorned, A: The
Katriniak Case
In
Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, a young mother and her infant son were missing.
Months later, when they were found dead in a cornfield, the obvious suspect was
the husband and father of the victims. However, a forensic entomologist's
findings -- insects on the bodies of the victims and a long, blonde hair --
revealed a vital clue. The blonde hair had something uniquely in common with
the brunette hair of the husband's former love interest and this would prove to
be the link in the story of a twisted love triangle.
Wrong Foot, A
Police
were puzzled by an obscure print found at a crime scene in Peoria, Illinois
where one man had been killed and two teenage girls were seriously injured.
Neither of the girls could identify their attacker. But one simple, yet rarely found,
clue helped track the footsteps of a killer.
“X” Marks the Spot
The
St. Louis police and the FBI didn’t need bloodhounds, lab tests, fingerprints
or other standard tools of criminal investigation to help them track down a
serial killer. To put an end to the string of murders, police needed only a
computer – and the knowledge of how it worked.