Ep 6. Time Will Tell

In the Forensic Files season 5 episode 6 titled "Time Will Tell," viewers are taken on a journey into the mysterious death of a wealthy businessman and philanthropist. Guy Paul Morin was a successful computer programmer who lived in a tight-knit Canadian community. His life was turned upside down when his neighbor's young daughter was murdered, and he was pegged as the prime suspect.

Despite having a solid alibi and no evidence linking him to the crime, Morin was convicted of the murder based on erroneous forensic evidence and witness testimony. He spent 18 months in jail before the Ontario Court of Appeals overturned his conviction and declared him innocent in 1995.

However, just a few years after he was exonerated, Morin became embroiled in another legal battle when his former girlfriend, Christine Demeter, accused him of sexually assaulting her in 1984. Demeter claimed that she had repressed the memory of the assault for over a decade and only remembered it when she saw Morin's name in the papers during his first trial.

The episode explores the use of forensic evidence, particularly bite mark analysis, in criminal cases and how it can be prone to errors and inaccuracy. Forensic odontologists, who specialize in bite mark analysis, are often given a great deal of weight in court cases, but the episode highlights the lack of scientific rigor in their methods.

The case also delves into the concept of repressed memories and whether they can be reliable evidence in a court of law. Some experts argue that the concept of repressing a traumatic experience is a myth, while others argue that it is a real phenomenon that can only be uncovered through therapy.

Viewers get to see how the criminal justice system can be flawed and how forensic evidence can be manipulated to suit a certain narrative. The case of Guy Paul Morin shows how investigators can rush to judgment and how the power of suggestion can influence witness testimony.

Ultimately, the episode is a cautionary tale of how there is a need for scientific scrutiny of forensic evidence and how the criminal justice system needs to take a more nuanced approach to interpreting witness testimony. The case of Guy Paul Morin highlights the flaws in the system and how justice can be elusive, even for those who are innocent.