The New Detectives
Upcoming episodes
Jan 11th
500a
Mind Hunters
Psychological profiling: Journey into the dark recesses and calculated madness present only in our worst nightmares...And in the minds of serial killers. Renowned fbi profiler robert ressler can reveal unseen clues about a killer simply by learning details about the crime. From motives to habits, social traits to taste in cards, investigative profiling discloses a killer's hidden motives.
Jan 12th
500a
Camera Clues
Forensic photography: Forensic photographers are among the first people at a crime scene, capturing vital clues on film. What do the cameras capture that can't be seen first-hand, and who are the men and women who analyze the camera's clues?
Jan 12th
600a
Double Helix
Dna analysis: With the advent of dna analysis, just a few microscopic cells found at a crime scene can be used to put a murder behind bars. Forensic scientists can analyze droplets of blood, hair fiber, or a piece of chewed gum to determine the identity of a victim or killer or to prove innocence.
Jan 12th
100p
Web of Clues
Forensic entomology: Bugs have roamed the earth for 250 million years, but their intimate association with death is just now coming to life. The kinds of insects on bodies, along with their stage of development, can pinpoint time of death and help identify victims.
Jan 13th
400a
Faces of Tragedy
Forensic sculpting: Forensic sculptors retrieve people from oblivion. Using clay and an intricate knowledge of anatomy, forensic arts place a face on an unidentified skull, recreating the victim's likeness, which often leads to his name.
Jan 13th
500a
Without a Trace
Missing person: Approximately 1.8 million americans are reported missing each year. Worldwide, the number of missing persons nearly triples. In addition to pictures on milk cartons, store windows, and in mass mailings, authorities use nationwide computer databases to help locate missing persons or match them with unidentified bodies. Even so, many of the missing are never seen again.
Jan 13th
600a
Burning Evidence
Identifying burned remains: It's difficult to have a murder investigation without a body, and burning up the victim is a time-honored method of destroying physical evidence. But what happens when the charred remains are found, unrecognizable, seemingly impossible to identify? Dr. John verano and dr. Doug owsley of the smithsonian have faced these challenges, identifying the burned remains of two american journalists found in guatemala seven years after their reported disappearance. It seems as though fire can unveil lies, as well as conceal truths.
Jan 13th
100p
Short Fuse
Explosives investigations: The crime lab is the place where science meets murder. In new york state, eleanor fowler opened a small package, which as mailed to her home. When she lifted the lid the box exploded killing her instantly. Within minutes, five other bombs exploded proving to be as fatal as the first. The investigation into this serial bombing case became one of the most massive investigations in history.
Jan 14th
400a
Death Grip
Fingerprinting: The identification division of the fbi relies on fingerprints as one of the most effective ways to identify criminals. Fingerprints, along with palmprints and footprints are an indisputable, time-tested method to establish someone's id beyond a shadow of a doubt. Computerization has all but eliminated the old inkpad, and print identification that used to take months now takes minutes.
Jan 14th
500a
Signed in Blood
Handwriting analysis: We’ve all heard that our handwriting tells more about our personalities than we think. Are we risk-takers, have low-esteem, fun loving, or are we capable of murder? While our handwriting may not reveal the nuances of our personalities, the dotting of the "i's and crossing of the "t"s is an important business in criminal investigation. Apparent suicide notes, letters from suspected offenders and signatures are scrutinized down to the last dot. Handwriting comparisons can tell if the victim really did sign that new life insurance policy, or if the person who had everything to live for actually wrote the eloquent suicide note.