Ep 4. Printed Proof

In season 13, episode 4 of Forensic Files titled Printed Proof, the show highlights the story of a teenage girl named Cindy Baenziger who was brutally raped and murdered in her home in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The police were unsure of who the killer could be given that there were no signs of forced entry or struggle. The murderer had strangled Cindy and then set her body on fire, leaving behind only a little evidence such as fingerprints and shoeprints. The show explains how the police and forensic experts worked together to solve the case by using advanced forensic science techniques such as fingerprint analysis, handwriting analysis, and forensic blood pattern analysis.

The episode begins with a brief introduction of Cindy and her family. We learn about her love for animals and her passion for music. Cindy was a bright and intelligent girl who had a lot of friends at school and dreamed of one day becoming a veterinarian. However, all of those dreams came to a tragic end when she was brutally murdered in her own home.

The police were called to the scene after a neighbor noticed smoke coming out of Cindy's house. The police arrived at the scene to find Cindy's charred body in the bathroom of her home. The police searched the house for any clue that could lead them to the killer. They found traces of blood on Cindy's bed and a few fingerprints on different surfaces in the house. The killer had also tried to start a fire in the house to cover up the murder.

The show then takes us through the forensic investigations that followed. Investigators first turned to fingerprint analysis to identify the killer. They found one set of fingerprints on a vase in Cindy's room and another on the refrigerator door. Both of these sets of fingerprints were partial prints, so the investigators turned to computer software to help them match the prints to potential suspects. After a process of elimination, they were able to identify a man who had a history of burglary and breaking and entering.

The show then reveals how the investigators used handwriting analysis to further implicate the suspect. The investigators found a typewritten letter in the suspect's trash that was similar in style to a note that had been left at the scene of the murder. The investigators then compared the letter to some of the suspect's previous writing and found that they were a match.

Finally, the show explores how forensic blood pattern analysis was used to confirm the guilt of the suspect. Blood patterns found at the scene were consistent with the story that the suspect had given the police. However, when analyzed by forensic experts, the blood patterns told a different story. The show explains how forensic blood pattern analysis can provide evidence about the dynamics of a crime scene, and shows how this analysis played a crucial role in the case against the killer.

As the episode wraps up, viewers are shown how the killer was eventually brought to justice after being convicted of the murder of Cindy Baenziger. This episode highlights the importance of forensic science in solving crimes, and showcases the dedication and hard work of the police and forensic investigators who tirelessly work to bring justice to the victims of crime.