Ep 10. For Love or Money

For Love or Money is the tenth episode of the fourth season of the documentary-style TV series, Forensic Files. The show explores the story of a New York dentist Dr. Gilbert Levin, who was found murdered in his Brooklyn office in 1992, and how forensic evidence was used to solve the case.

The episode starts by detailing the life and career of Dr. Levin, a well-respected and affluent dentist who had a thriving practice in Brooklyn, New York. On the day of his murder, Dr. Levin had hired an emergency dental hygienist named Linda Razzano as he was short-staffed and had an important patient coming in. However, after the patient left, Dr. Levin was found dead in his office by his longtime dental assistant, Pauline Lapinski.

The police were immediately called to the scene, and an investigation was launched. The detectives found Dr. Levin's safe opened and emptied and suspected that robbery was the motive behind the murder. However, they soon discovered that the safe contained only a small amount of cash and personal documents, which ruled out the possibility of a robbery gone wrong.

The police started searching for potential suspects, and Linda Razzano came under suspicion as she was the only person on the premises at the time of the murder. The detectives questioned Razzano, who denied any involvement in the crime and claimed that she left the office before the murder occurred.

As the investigation progressed, the police found several pieces of forensic evidence, including hairs, fibers, and fingerprints, that linked Razzano to the crime scene. The detectives also discovered that Razzano had financial troubles and had recently filed for bankruptcy. They suspected that she might have killed Dr. Levin for money as he was known to be a wealthy man.

The episode showcases how forensic evidence like DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and hair and fiber analysis were used to build a strong case against Razzano. The forensic experts analyzed the hair found at the crime scene and matched it with Razzano's hair, which provided conclusive evidence of her presence at the scene of the crime. They also matched Razzano's fingerprints found on the murder weapon, a can of cleaning fluid, which proved that she had handled the weapon.

To strengthen their case, the detectives also collected financial records and bank statements of Razzano and found several suspicious transactions that pointed towards her motive to kill Dr. Levin. They found that Razzano had made several large cash withdrawals from her bank account in the days leading up to the murder, which is usually a red flag in such investigations.

The episode culminates in Razzano's arrest and trial, where the prosecutors presented the forensic evidence that led to her conviction. The jury found Razzano guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced her to 25 years to life in prison.

For Love or Money is a riveting episode that showcases how forensic evidence can be used to solve even the most complicated cases. It's a testament to the skills and dedication of forensic scientists and detectives who work tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families. The episode also highlights the dangers of greed and the extreme measures people take to achieve financial gain, even if it means taking another person's life.