Ep 22. Home of the Brave

Forensic Files season 15 episode 22, titled "Home of the Brave," tells the story of a bank robbery that took place in 1991. Four men broke into a bank in Barstow, California, and made off with over $700,000 in cash and valuables. The robbers wore masks and gloves, and they left no DNA evidence at the crime scene. The police began investigating the crime, but their search for the robbers led nowhere. Months passed by, and the case went cold.

Years later, a man named Terry Chasteen was arrested for a different crime, and his DNA was entered into the federal database. In 2000, the DNA from the Barstow bank robbery crime scene matched Chasteen's, and he was arrested for the robbery. Chasteen pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

The episode takes a closer look at the forensic evidence that was used to convict Chasteen. The police found a hat near the bank that the robbers had used to hide their faces, and the hat had Chasteen's DNA on it. Additionally, the police analyzed dust samples taken from Chasteen's home and found that they matched the dust found on the gloves worn by the robbers during the bank robbery. The police also analyzed Chasteen's cellphone records and found that he was in the area on the day of the robbery.

The episode also delves into Chasteen's background and his connection to the other robbers. The police discovered that Chasteen was a former Marine who had served in the Gulf War, and he had a history of violent behavior. They also discovered that Chasteen was friends with one of the other robbers, and they believe that the group had planned the robbery together.

Through interviews with law enforcement officials, crime scene investigators, and lawyers, the episode tells the story of how the police used forensic evidence to catch Chasteen over a decade after the robbery took place. It highlights the importance of DNA evidence and demonstrates how technological advancements have transformed the field of forensics.

Overall, "Home of the Brave" is an intriguing episode of Forensic Files that offers an in-depth look at a complicated bank robbery case and the forensic evidence that was used to solve it. It is sure to captivate viewers with its suspenseful storytelling and informative exploration of forensic science.