Ep 9. The DNA Link/The Secret Slide
- February 26, 2001
- 41 min
In season 3, episode 9 of the true crime show Cold Case Files, viewers will be taken on a journey to investigate two separate cases that were solved through DNA evidence. The first case, "The DNA Link," follows the investigation into the brutal rape and murder of a young woman named Lisa Govan in Tacoma, Washington in 1985. Despite extensive investigation at the time, the case went unsolved for over a decade until DNA evidence was collected and processed in the late 1990s. The DNA evidence eventually led investigators to a man named Timothy Pauley, who was already serving time in prison for another crime. Through interviews with law enforcement officials, family members of the victim, and key witnesses, viewers will gain insight into Pauley's arrest and conviction for Lisa Govan's murder.
The second case, "The Secret Slide," takes place in Idaho and focuses on the disappearance and murder of a 12-year-old girl named Shasta Groene in 2005. Shasta and her younger brother Dylan were abducted from their home in the middle of the night by a man named Joseph Duncan, who had a history of sexual violence against children. Although Shasta was eventually rescued, her brother Dylan was not found alive. It wasn't until months later when Duncan was arrested for another crime that DNA evidence was used to link him to Dylan's murder. Through interviews with family members, law enforcement officials, and experts in forensic science, the episode explores the role of DNA evidence in solving the case and bringing justice for the Groene family.
Throughout both cases, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases and bringing closure for victims' families. The episode also sheds light on the humanity of the victims and the impact of these heinous crimes on their families and communities. Viewers will walk away from the episode with a greater appreciation for the tireless work of law enforcement officials and the power of technology in bringing justice for victims of violent crime.
