Ep 5. Out of Ashes

In the Forensic Files Season 6, Episode 5 entitled "Out of Ashes," viewers are taken on a journey through the arson investigation of a furniture store. The episode begins with a devastating fire in a family-owned business called "J&J Furniture" in Beaumont, Texas. Though the fire department was able to contain the fire, the damage to the store was catastrophic. The owners, John and Janice Wilkins, were devastated at the loss and contacted their insurance company immediately.

The insurance company, however, became suspicious of the fire. They contacted their top investigator, Linda Farley, who has extensive experience in arson investigation. Farley quickly discovered inconsistencies in the story of the Wilkins family. They claimed that the store had been closed on the night of the fire, but eyewitnesses claimed to have seen a car in front of the store with a person inside. Moreover, there was evidence of forced entry into the store.

Farley brought in an arson investigator, a man named Ken Kyre, to help investigate the fire. Kyre is a veteran of the field and has seen many arson cases. He quickly came to the conclusion that the fire was indeed arson. He found evidence of accelerant, a substance used to start fires, and noted that the fire had multiple points of origin, making it even more suspicious.

The investigation into the arson led Farley and Kyre to investigate the Wilkins family. They discovered that John Wilkins had a string of failed businesses and was deep in debt. Moreover, the couple was having marital problems. Farley and Kyre found that the Wilkins family had taken out multiple insurance policies on the store, amounts totaling several times the value of the business. The investigators began to suspect that the Wilkins family had set the fire themselves to collect the insurance payout.

Farley and Kyre brought in a polygraph expert, a man named Ed Hendricks, to interview both John and Janice Wilkins. They asked them several questions related to the fire, including whether they had anything to do with it. John passed his polygraph test, but Janice failed. Janice was brought in for further questioning, and after some questioning, she finally cracked and admitted to setting the fire.

Janice claimed that they were in deep financial trouble and that she had set the fire because they desperately needed the insurance money. She stated that she had done it by herself, but a court of law later found that John had been complicit in the crime. Both of them were found guilty of arson and insurance fraud.

"Out of Ashes" is a riveting episode that shows the extent that people will go to in order to collect insurance payouts. It also shows the expertise of investigators like Farley, Kyre, and Hendricks, who are able to follow the evidence and help bring criminals to justice. The episode is a reminder of the importance of forensic science and shows the power of science to uncover the truth.