Ep 6. Live Wire

In the Forensic Files season 11 episode 6 titled "Live Wire," viewers are taken on a journey through the investigation of the death of a young woman named Carrie Culberson. Carrie vanished from her small town in Ohio in 1996, leaving behind a mystery that would take years to unravel. The local authorities initially believed that Carrie had run off with a boyfriend to start a new life, but her family and friends knew that something more sinister had occurred.

The episode begins with a reenactment of the last time anyone saw Carrie. She had attended a play at the local community theater and was seen leaving the performance around 10:00 pm. She was headed home to her apartment, but she never arrived. Carrie's boyfriend, Vince Doan, became the prime suspect in her disappearance, as he had a history of violence and a volatile relationship with Carrie. However, the police did not have enough evidence to charge him.

Months turned into years, and Carrie's family never gave up hope that they would find out what happened to her. In 1998, a new detective was assigned to the case. He decided to take a closer look at Vince Doan and discovered that he had been involved in several break-ins and burglaries. The detective obtained a search warrant for Vince's property and found evidence that linked him to Carrie's disappearance.

The investigation eventually led to the discovery of Carrie's remains, which had been disposed of in a septic tank. The medical examiner determined that Carrie had been strangled to death. Vince Doan was arrested and charged with murder.

The episode delves into the forensic evidence that was crucial in convicting Vince. The investigators found fibers from Carrie's clothing in Vince's vehicle and in his home. They also discovered a live wire in the septic tank where Carrie's remains were found. The wire was traced back to a spool that was found in Vince's garage. The prosecution argued that Vince had used the wire to pull Carrie's body into the tank.

Another key piece of evidence was a pair of pliers that had been found in Vince's possession. The pliers had been used to sever a chain that had been wrapped around Carrie's body before it was disposed of in the septic tank. The prosecution argued that this was proof that Vince had planned the crime and had deliberately tried to cover it up.

The defense team tried to refute the forensic evidence, but ultimately, the jury found Vince guilty of murder. He was sentenced to life in prison.

Overall, "Live Wire" is a chilling episode of Forensic Files that showcases the importance of forensic science in solving crimes. The episode highlights the painstaking work that investigators must go through to gather evidence and build a case against a suspect. Through the use of reenactments and interviews with the detectives and forensic experts involved in the case, viewers get an inside look at the investigative process and the emotional toll that a tragic crime can have on a small community.