Forensic Files

This episode originally aired October 21, 2019. A woman who survived a deadly childhood fire sends police a letter charging her father killed her mother 30 years ago. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the harrowing case of Terry Henson, a North Carolina mother who was arrested and charged with murder and arson following a 1996 house fire that claimed the life of her 17-month-old son, Joshua. Initially suspected by investigators due to her behavior and personal history, Terry faced the possibility of the death penalty after local authorities concluded the fire was intentionally set. The investigation into the fire's origin was later challenged by Dr. Gerald Hurst, a chemist who identified evidence of electrical malfunction and structural issues caused by recent hurricane damage. The narrative details the scientific breakdown of how an electrical arc in the attic likely ignited the paper insulation, contradicting the prosecution's theory of an upward-burning arson fire. Through the work of independent investigators, the charges against Terry were eventually dropped, though the case highlights significant flaws and biases within traditional arson investigation practices.

This episode investigates the 2008 murder of Jenna Verholen, a college student at Blinn College in Bryan, Texas. After being found dead in her apartment with signs of manual strangulation, investigators faced a complex web of suspects, including her boyfriend, a neighbor seen acting suspiciously, and a maintenance man who had previously entered her apartment uninvited. The investigation pivoted on forensic DNA evidence recovered from Jenna's fingernails and clothing. Through a massive DNA dragnet and the tracking of three primary persons of interest, authorities eventually linked the crime to Jeremy Rosser, a former maintenance worker. The episode details the forensic breakthroughs and the eventual conviction of Rosser, who was sentenced to 55 years in prison.

In the quiet town of Waseca, Minnesota, the 1999 murder of twelve-year-old Callie Jo Larson initially left investigators with a cold case and no usable forensic leads. While early searches for fingerprints and blood DNA yielded only results from family members, a series of local burglaries eventually led police to Lorenzo Sanchez. The investigation pivoted when stolen CD cases were discovered in Sanchez's home, containing both the victim's unique fingerprint and a strand of her hair. Through advanced mitochondrial DNA testing on hairs found at the crime scene, investigators were able to link the evidence to the Sanchez family. Despite the complexity of shared maternal DNA among siblings, the lack of an alibi for Lorenzo, combined with a recorded prison conversation where he attempted to frame his brother, led to his guilty plea. The case serves as a profound example of how microscopic trace evidence can solve even the most stalled homicide investigations.

The episode investigates the 1993 murder of 13-year-old Dario Ciccalecchia in a small Swiss village. After the boy went missing while fishing, his mutilated body was discovered in a cornfield, leaving investigators with no traditional forensic evidence like hair or fibers. The case took a scientific turn when researchers utilized the study of diatoms—microscopic algae found in the boy's lungs and on his sneakers—to pinpoint the exact body of water where the drowning occurred. The investigation eventually linked the crime to Roland Keebler, a psychiatric nurse arrested in France for a separate assault. By analyzing microscopic debris from the pedals and carpet of Keebler's car, forensic experts identified the same specific diatom species found at the murder site. This breakthrough led to a full confession and revealed a pattern of violence that included a second unsolved murder.

In 1993, South Florida experienced a violent crime spree targeting tourists, characterized by 'bump and rob' tactics and fatal assaults. This episode follows the harrowing experience of German journalist Helga Lust, who transitioned from covering crime safety to becoming a victim of a brutal assault involving a deep bite wound. The investigation relied on advanced forensic odontology, using dental impressions and specialized photography to link suspect Stanley Cornett to the crime. The narrative details the technical process of bite mark analysis, including the use of plaster models and light spectrums to identify dental patterns. Despite Cornett's attempts to use an alibi and legal delays, the combination of victim identification and forensic evidence led to his life sentence. The episode concludes with the impact of these crimes on Florida tourism and Helga Lust's subsequent work in victim advocacy through her group, Witness Justice.

In 1979, Diana Green was brutally assaulted in her California apartment, an attack that resulted in the death of her unborn child and left her in a coma. Her husband, Kevin Green, was subsequently convicted of the crime based on her eyewitness testimony, despite his claims of innocence and the presence of a mysterious figure outside their home. The case remained closed for sixteen years until advancements in DNA technology and a confession from an inmate known as the 'bedroom basher' revealed the true perpetrator. The episode explores the complexities of memory, the limitations of forensic science in the late 1970s, and the eventual exoneration of Kevin Green. Through interviews and archival accounts, the narrative details how a series of unsolved rape-murders were linked to Gerald Parker, whose DNA match ultimately corrected a profound miscarriage of justice.

This episode investigates the death of Ari Squire, which was initially believed to be an accidental garage fire but was later revealed to be a calculated murder-suicide. Investigators discovered that Squire murdered Justin Newman to fake his own death for insurance fraud purposes. The investigation eventually led to the discovery of Squire's body in a Missouri motel, where he died by suicide to avoid life imprisonment. The aftermath includes a wrongful death lawsuit and investigations into Denise Squire's potential involvement in the murder plot.

In the small town of Navasota, Texas, a prominent community leader and funeral director, Lonnie Turner Sr., was found shot to death in his bedroom. The investigation initially focused on his son, Lonnie Jr., due to suspicious behavior, gunshot residue on his hands, and a 9mm handgun found under his mattress that matched the murder weapon. However, forensic DNA analysis of a homemade mask found near a nearby creek provided a breakthrough, eventually linking the crime to the victim's godson, James White. The case involves complex layers of family dynamics, including conflicting accounts from the victim's son and brother, as well as allegations of a conspiracy. While White eventually confessed to the shooting but claimed he was coerced by Lonnie Jr., physical evidence and cell phone records supported the son's alibi. The episode explores how forensic science ultimately resolved a case filled with contradictory testimonies and deep-seated community suspicion.

This episode of Serial Killers and Murderous Minds investigates the 1982 abduction and murder of 11-year-old Krista Lee Harrison in Marshallville, Ohio. The investigation centered on highly unusual orange trilobal polyester carpet fibers found at the crime scene, which also appeared in a previous murder case involving Tina Harmon. As investigators faced the possibility that a serial killer was active in the region, they utilized forensic evidence—including specific plastic packaging and cardboard from Sears Roebuck & Company van seat shipments—to track potential suspects. The case reached a breakthrough following the kidnapping and escape of a gas station manager, whose survival provided the identity of Robert Anthony Buell. Through meticulous forensic links involving carpet fibers, clothing patterns, and paint samples, prosecutors were able to secure a death sentence for Buell, while simultaneously uncovering evidence that led to the exoneration of a previously convicted man.

An investigation into a series of execution-style killings in North Carolina reveals a connection between the murders of Victor Gunnarsson and Catherine Miller. The discovery of an unidentified body in the Blue Ridge Mountains leads investigators to uncover a complex web of stalking, jealousy, and forensic evidence involving a retired police officer. Through the use of typewriter ribbon analysis, infrared spectroscopy on electrical tape, and mitochondrial DNA testing on hair found in a car trunk, authorities link L.C. Underwood to the crimes. The case highlights how modern forensic technology can bridge the gap between seemingly unrelated homicides and provide definitive proof in cases involving meticulous attempts to destroy evidence.

Este episódio de Murder in the Heartland investiga o misterioso desaparecimento de Tamika Houston, uma estudante de enfermharia de 24 anos na Carolina do Sul. O caso, que inicialmente levantou suspeitas sobre seu ex-namorado, ganha um novo rumo quando uma pista inesperada — um conjunto de chaves encontrado em um carro abandonado — direciona a polícia para o complexo de apartamentos Fremont School. A investigação revela uma trilha de evidências biológicas e testemunhos que conectam Christopher Hampton ao crime. Através da análise de manchas de sangue em uma carteira e da descoberta de vestígamente de DNA no apartamento de Hampton, as autoridades conseguiram localizar o local onde o corpo de Tamika foi enterrado, levando à condenação do culpado por prisão perpétua.

This episode investigates the six-year reign of terror by a serial killer known as the Zodiac, who targeted victims in New York City based on their astrological signs. The perpetrator sent taunting letters to the police and newspapers, claiming he would strike only when specific constellations were not visible in the sky. The investigation spanned multiple years and involved complex forensic techniques, including handwriting analysis, fingerprint recovery using chemical reagents, DNA testing from saliva on an envelope, and advanced ballistics involving tool mark analysis of homemade zip guns. The manhunt eventually culminated in the arrest of Eddie Seda following a hostage situation in Brooklyn. Through a combination of forensic astronomy, codebreaking, and traditional detective work, investigators linked Seda to the series of shootings. The episode details the overwhelming forensic evidence that led to his conviction and sentencing to 2 centuries in prison.

This episode investigates the suspicious death of Michelle Nice and the subsequent investigation into her husband, Jonathan. Initially appearing to be a car accident, forensic evidence—including blood spatter and reconstructed shoe soles—uncovered a violent homicide involving a baseball bat. Despite Jonathan's attempts to stage the scene and claims of self-defense following an extortion attempt involving his wife's lover, physical evidence proved decisive. The trial concluded with the jury convicting Jonathan of passion provocation manslaughter.

This episode examines the complex legal battle of Martin Frias, who was initially convicted of the 1984 murder of his wife, Ernestine Perea, in Wheatland, Wyoming. The prosecution's case relied on forensic evidence suggesting a homicide involving a struggle and a shot to the back, while the defense presented new scientific findings, including scanning electron microscopy, to argue for a suicide. Through a detailed analysis of ballistics, blood sputters, and acoustics, the narrative explores how a second trial and the introduction of new expert testimony led to an acquittal based on reasonable doubt.

In 1995, 14-year-old Jenna Mauser disappeared from her home, only for her body to be discovered days later in a roadside ditch. The investigation initially faced a lack of physical evidence, as there were no DNA samples or signs of a struggle within the home. However, a combination of forensic botany and advanced photogrammetry eventually linked her stepfather, Doug Mauser, to the crime. Investigators utilized plant biology to identify specific yellow star thistle found under the suspect's car that matched the development of plants found near the body. Furthermore, 3D modeling of post-mortem pressure marks on the victim's skin allowed experts to recreate the exact pattern caused by a seat belt buckle and carpet edge in the suspect's vehicle. The episode details the reconstruction of the crime and the forensic breakthroughs that led to a murder conviction.

In 1988, the death of popular Durham High School teacher and coach Russ Steger was initially ruled an accidental shooting. His wife, Barbara Steger, claimed the .25 caliber pistol under his pillow discharged while she was attempting to remove it. However, forensic evidence, including bullet trajectory, trigger pull tests, and the absence of gunpowder residue, began to contradict her account. As investigators delved deeper, they uncovered a pattern of suspicious deaths involving Barbara's previous husband and discovered evidence of financial fraud, including forged signatures and a $170,000 life insurance policy. The case was ultimately solidified by a chilling audio recording made by Russ Steger himself just days before his death, in which he expressed fear for his life and suspicion regarding his wife's motives.

This episode of Disturbed True Horror Stories explores the chilling case of Marie Robards, a high-achieving student in Texas who orchestrated what appeared to be the perfect crime. Following the sudden death of her father, Steve Robards, from what was initially ruled a natural heart attack, a hidden truth began to emerge through a Shakespearean connection and a friend's growing torment. The investigation eventually utilized advanced gas chromatography to uncover a massive, lethal dose of a rare metallic poison stolen from a high school chemistry lab. The narrative details the forensic breakthrough that linked the stolen substance to the crime, the subsequent confession, and the trial that captivated the public. Driven by a desire to reunite with her mother, Marie's actions led to a conviction and a twenty-seven-year prison sentence, leaving behind a legacy of a calculated crime born from the complexities of family upheaval and teenage resentment.

This episode investigates the investigation into Archbishop Valerian Trifa, a high-ranking Romanian Orthodox Church official in the United States accused of being a Nazi war criminal. After decades of allegations from Romanian immigrants, the U.S. government sought scientific proof to determine if Trifa had lied to immigration officials about his past involvement with the Iron Guard and his experiences during World War II. The narrative follows the forensic journey of analyzing 40-year-old postcards found in German archives. Through the use of advanced handwriting analysis and groundbreaking laser technology to reveal a latent fingerprint, investigators were able to link the Archbishop to the incriminating documents. The episode details the intersection of historical war crimes, the persistence of victims' families, and the evolution of forensic science in bringing long-dormant cases to light.

In July 1996, a fisherman off the coast of Devon, England, discovered the body of an unidentified man caught in his nets. The investigation into the deceased, eventually identified as Ronald Platt, led police to a man living in England under Platt's stolen identity. Through forensic analysis of a Rolex watch, a 10-pound anchor, and DNA evidence, investigators uncovered a complex web of identity theft and murder involving a Canadian fugitive. The case concluded with the revelation that the man posing as David Davis was actually Albert Johnson Walker, a high-profile Canadian embezzler who murdered Platt to protect his new life.

This episode originally aired August 12, 2019. A brilliant young architect became ill and died just before she was to testify in a criminal trial. The autopsy revealed she'd been poisoned with arsenic; it was a slow and painful death, so suicide was unlikely. Investigators had to determine who among her family, friends and business associates had a motive for murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired August 8, 2019. A murder mystery theater performance turns into a real life whodunit when a badly burned body is discovered after the performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired August 5, 2019. The year was 1984, and a serial killer was on the loose in Florida. Eight women had been found dead. At each crime scene, investigators found tiny red fibers, fibers they hoped would lead them to the killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired August 1, 2019. A woman disappears without a trace; even though foul play is suspected, the leads don't pan out and the trail turns cold. Twenty years would pass before police are able to link a clump of hair discovered in an isolated area with the missing woman. Members of "NecroSearch," a group of volunteer forensic scientists, searched a remote area of Colorado a meter at a time, found the victim's body, and gave authorities the evidence they needed to bring the killer to justice. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 29, 2019. Police find an abandoned car on a busy Philadelphia highway; later, strange marks on the driver's body lead police to her killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 25, 2019. A young woman was killed in a senseless act of revenge. Could police identify the killer through a fingerprint on cloth? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 22, 2019. The huge amount of blood at the crime scene spoke of the violence of the attack; investigators describe it as "overkill," and it's usually an indication that the victim knew the attacker. Police hoped that, during the struggle, the killer had left some of his own blood - and his DNA - behind. Their challenge was to find it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 18, 2019. When hunters reported finding a skull in a Texas canyon, police immediately began an investigation. At the scene, they found bits of clothing, a woman's shoe, some small bones and a strand of hair. An anthropologist determined the victim was a Caucasian woman, and that she'd been stabbed repeatedly. A forensic artist reconstructed her face, and the image was released to media. Eventually, police learned who she was. Now all they had to do was find her killer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 15, 2019. After the rape and murder of a popular high school student, authorities ask the males in her social circles to volunteer DNA. When a match is found, the community is stunned. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 11, 2019. While staying at a hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, a Louisiana woman drowns in a bathtub. Her husband claims it was an accident, but detectives are skeptical as they discover evidence of foul play. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 8, 2019. The story of nurse Tanya Reid who may have murdered her own baby and was planning to murder her son. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 4, 2019. A retired police officer is discovered dead in his bed. Examination of the evidence at the crime scene, the tape from a bank surveillance camera, and forensic textbooks found in the victim's home are used to solve the murder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired July 1, 2019. A fire erupted in the Kings Cross Underground Station in London, killing 31 people and injuring dozens more. Arson investigators were able to pinpoint the cause of the fire, but it would take state-of-the-art computer technology and experts in the field of fluid dynamics to explain why it became a deadly inferno. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 27, 2019. The victim had ingested a massive amount of cyanide. An unlikely clue - a flaw on a mailing envelope -- exposed a murderer who was willing to kill innocent people to get the one person he wanted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 24, 2019. A series of murders near Sacramento, Calif., where prostitutes were gagged and molested, their clothes cut off in random patterns and their hair cut off. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 20, 2019. A man confesses to killing his wife but forensic evidence may lead to another suspect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 17, 2019. When the body of a female prison guard shows up in a landfill, investigators suspect the prisoners in the facility where she worked. The medical examiner found an important clue, a "signature" element, which figured in two other murders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 13, 2019. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 10, 2019. A 29-year-old pregnant wife is found dead in her home of a gunshot wound to the head. Blood spatter analysis led police to the truth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 6, 2019. A gas station employee was shot at point blank range. Police find the entire murder was caught on the station's security camera. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired June 3, 2019. A man considered unstable by his neighbors is accused of killing his wife. But a medical detective holds a different view. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 30, 2019. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 27, 2019. When the once called America's most hated woman and her top two lieutenants disappeared, there was no shortage of suspects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 23, 2019. Just weeks before a witness is to testify against the man accused of sexually assaulting her, she is murdered in the front yard of her own home. Investigators immediately suspect her attacker, but they don't have enough evidence to prove his guilt. It would take fifteen years, and the remarkable advances in forensic science and DNA testing which occurred during that time, to enable police to nail the killer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 20, 2019. An employee of a dry-cleaner was raped and murdered in the store, and investigators thought themselves fortunate to have two eyewitnesses. Their descriptions were similar but not identical, and the prime suspect didn't come close to resembling that person. So police turned to forensic science for the answers they needed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 16, 2019. When a young fireman died from what appeared to be serious but undiagnosed heart disease, his family and friends were devastated but they had no proof of foul play. Then they learned that, six years earlier in a nearby town, a young police officer died in the same way. The men had one thing in common: At the time of their deaths, they were married to the same woman. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 13, 2019. A 33-year old woman meets, falls in love with, and marries a successful young doctor, but an unusual amount of discomfort during her pregnancy arouses her suspicions, prompting a personal investigation that culminates in a startling revelation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 9, 2019. The murder of an eccentric millionaire was not entirely unexpected; he flaunted his wealth and cared little for personal security. The evidence at the crime seemed to indicate robbery, but investigators wondered if there was something more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 6, 2019. The body of a businessman was found in his rental car. Teeth and bone fragments were all that remained of the body; When the victim's wife filed a life insurance claim, investigators sought the help of a forensic anthropologist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode originally aired May 2, 2019. The victim was well liked and successful, which made the brutality of the crime even harder to understand. In the final moments of her life, she'd written a name on the wall - presumably that of the killer - in her own blood. But this wasn't an open and shut case and, in order to solve it, investigators would have to read between the lines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.