Ep 32. Sign of the Crime

Forensic Files season 13 episode 32 is titled "Sign of the Crime." This episode delves into the murder of an elderly woman in her home, highlighting the diverse techniques forensic scientists use to solve such crimes.

The episode opens with the discovery of the body of an elderly woman, bludgeoned to death in her own home. From the start of the investigation, detectives had very little to work with. No signs of a forced entry, no witnesses, and no apparent motive for the crime. The homely little town where this takes place is shocked, as this is a rare instance of violent crime. For days, the cops came up with nothing, leaving the killer to roam free. It was clear from the investigation that the murder was premeditated and planned with the help of an accomplice.

That's when forensic scientists stepped in. In the next part of the show, viewers get to see the diversity of techniques that forensic scientists employed to solve this crime. From fingerprint and handwriting analysis to forensic linguistics and DNA testing, the show covers methods that span the breadth of forensic science.

One of the most striking methods in which scientists provided help in this case was through forensic botanists. Investigators found something important on the windowsill of the victim’s house - a piece of leaf that was not native to the place. Forensic botanists analyzed the leaf and found that it was from a rare South African plant that only a small portion of people were mindful of. By doing a thorough background check, they narrowed down the suspects to one pair. That crucial piece of evidence puts police on the right track for the investigation.

As the investigation progresses, a picture of a dysfunctional family emerges. But it is difficult to know who amongst them could commit such a heinous crime. Slowly but surely, the detectives piece together the clues to zero in on the killer and accomplice.

Overall, "Sign of the Crime" is a gripping episode, highlighting the fascinating work of forensic scientists in solving crimes. The various methods employed by the forensic scientists were an important part of the investigation, from fingerprint analysis to DNA testing to even linguistics. This episode of Forensic Files also goes to show how a small piece of evidence, such as a leaf from a rare plant, can be pivotal in solving a case. This episode will keep the audience engaged as they discover how the investigation unfolds with twists and turns before culminating in an arrest.