Ep 3. Pillow Talk

Forensic Files season 2 episode 3, titled "Pillow Talk," follows a criminal investigation involving the death of a young woman named Tammy Tatum. Tammy had recently moved to a new city with her boyfriend, Doug Gissendaner, and was living in a trailer park. One morning, Tammy was found dead in her bed, strangled to death by a telephone cord.

Investigators had several suspects including Tammy's ex-boyfriend, a drug dealer who lived in the same trailer park, and even Doug himself. However, it wasn't until they analyzed the physical evidence found at the scene that they could narrow down their suspects.

Forensic experts analyzed the telephone cord used to strangle Tammy and found a unique pattern of marks imprinted on her neck. They determined that the pattern was consistent with a particular brand of telephone cord sold exclusively at K-Mart stores. With this information, investigators aimed their attention towards K-Mart stores in the surrounding area, eventually leading them to a woman named Debra Brown.

Debra Brown, a 34-year-old mother of two, had recently been released from prison after serving time for forgery. Investigators discovered that Debra had purchased the same brand of telephone cord found at the crime scene from a K-Mart store near Tammy's trailer park just days before the murder.

Forensic experts also analyzed DNA samples found on Tammy's body and determined that it matched Debra Brown's DNA. They also found a fingerprint on Tammy's pillow that matched Debra Brown's prints.

As the investigation progressed, it was discovered that Doug Gissendaner had been having an affair with Debra Brown and had planned Tammy's murder with her. The motive for the murder was Doug's desire to collect Tammy's life-insurance policy.

Debra Brown was eventually convicted of Tammy's murder and sentenced to death by lethal injection. Doug Gissendaner was also convicted and sentenced to death, but his sentence was commuted to life without parole after he agreed to cooperate with authorities and testify against Debra.

Forensic Files season 2 episode 3, "Pillow Talk," showcases the incredible capabilities of forensic science in solving a complex murder case. The meticulous analysis of physical evidence, including DNA samples and fingerprint analysis, was crucial in narrowing down the suspect list and ultimately led to the conviction of the true perpetrators of this heinous crime.