Ep 10. The DNA Story
- December 13, 1979
- 25 min
-
8.0 (94)
Barney Miller is a classic American sitcom that takes place in the 12th Precinct of the New York City Police Department. The show revolves around the daily lives and duties of the officers working in the precinct, with their unique personalities often leading to comedic situations.
In season 6 episode 10, titled "The DNA Story," the precinct receives a new piece of technology that will change the way they solve crimes. A scientist arrives at the precinct with a DNA analyzer, which will allow the police to analyze DNA evidence in order to solve crimes. The team is excited about this new technology, but they quickly realize that it's not as easy to use as they initially thought.
The first case that they use the DNA analyzer on involves a case where a woman was raped in her own home. The detectives have DNA evidence from the perpetrator, but when they put it into the machine, they get a false positive. They bring the scientist back to the precinct to figure out what went wrong, and they discover that the machine is not 100% accurate.
This leads to a discussion about the fallibility of technology and the importance of relying on police work and investigative skills instead of solely relying on machines. The detectives realize that they need to use both technology and their own skills in order to solve crimes and bring criminals to justice.
In addition to the main story about the DNA analyzer, there are several subplots in the episode. One involves a couple who are getting married and want to have the wedding at the precinct. The detectives are hesitant, but they ultimately agree to let them use the precinct for their wedding. Another subplot involves Wojo, who is dealing with a health issue and worrying about what will happen if he can't perform his duties as a police officer.
Overall, "The DNA Story" is a thought-provoking episode that deals with the intersection of technology and police work. The show's trademark humor is still present, but there is also a serious message about the importance of using all available resources to solve crimes. The episode is a standout in the show's sixth season and is sure to be a fan favorite.