The New Detectives
Upcoming episodes
Oct 11th
500a
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.
Oct 12th
500a
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.
Oct 12th
600a
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.
Oct 12th
1200p
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.
Oct 13th
400a
Witness to Terror
Black boxes: Little evidence is left after an airplane takes a deadly plunge from the sky. Investigators' best hope for an answer comes from the flight data recorder known as a "black box." Virtually indestructible, the black box could be the only witness to the final horrifying moments of a doomed flight.
Oct 13th
500a
Trail of the Century
Forensics in the o.J. Simpson murder trial: Millions watched on television as the jury rendered their verdict. Orenthal james simpson was found not guilty of murder. The jury heard hundreds of hours of testimony and every twist and turn of the trial was played out in the media, but what was the evidence? Forensic scientists reconstructed the events that took place on the night nicole brown simpson was murdered. But was their report accurate, and could the evidence be trusted? We'll examine what forensics could and could not tell us about the trial of the century.
Oct 13th
600a
Deadly Target
Ballistics: A corpse is found with a gunshot wound to the head; the weapon lies next to the victim. It looks like suicide, but could it be murder? It's a question best solved by ballistics experts. Gunshot residues, the pathway of the bullet into the body, shells and the guns themselves all hold important clues. The ability to determine whether an individual has actually fired a gun is vitally important in homicide and suicide investigations.
Oct 13th
1200p
Fatal Compulsion
Forensic psychologists delve into the minds of serial killers, explaining why, most often, they can be a friendly neighbor or the tenacious co-worker - the one who hides his or her dark side better than anyone else. Detectives show us what forensic techniques, the vicap system and clever investigating have done to bring these killers to justice.
Oct 14th
400a
Bodies of Evidence
It is difficult to convict a murderer if the body can't be found. But forensic science is finding ways to do it. Devious killers can think up many was to dispose of their victim's remains, but they are often no matches for creative and devoted investigators. A speck of blood, a piece of a fingernail or a strand of hair may now be enough evidence to prove a murder and capture a killer.
Oct 14th
500a
Shreds of Evidence
Hairs and fibers: The tiniest filament can become a mark of distinction in the most singular and intimate of ways. Investigators have come to rely on forensic evidence as fine as a carpet fiber or as innocent as an eyelash to crack difficult cases.