Ep 1. The Cheater
- TV14
- January 1, 2002
In the first episode of season 7 of Forensic Files, titled "The Cheater," viewers are taken through a complex and intriguing murder case that involves a love triangle and deceit. The episode begins with the discovery of a woman's body in the woods, which is identified as Janine Sutphen, a mother of two who had been missing for over a week.
As investigators begin to piece together the events leading up to Janine's murder, they learn that she had been having an affair for several years with a married man, Bill Douglas. Bill claims that he had ended the affair months before Janine's disappearance and had no knowledge of what happened to her. However, as the investigation continues, police learn that another woman, Carol Kennedy, had also been involved with Bill Douglas around the same time as Janine.
With multiple suspects in the case, investigators use forensic evidence to help narrow down their list of potential suspects. They examine Janine's car, which was found abandoned in a parking lot, and discover a piece of hair that doesn't belong to Janine. Using DNA analysis, they are able to identify the hair as belonging to Carol Kennedy.
As investigators delve further into Carol's involvement with Bill, they discover that she had been lying about her alibi and had been in the area where Janine's body was found on the night of her disappearance. Additionally, forensic analysis of a rope found at the crime scene reveals that it likely came from Carol's garage.
Through an impressive combination of forensic evidence and witness testimony, investigators are ultimately able to build a strong case against Carol Kennedy for the murder of Janine Sutphen. Despite Carol's attempts to shift blame onto Bill Douglas, the evidence against her is overwhelming, and she is ultimately convicted of murder.
Overall, "The Cheater" is an intriguing and complex episode of Forensic Files that details the use of forensic evidence in solving a murder case with multiple suspects. The episode highlights the importance of DNA analysis and the meticulous attention to detail needed in conducting a thorough investigation. So, the fans of true crime and forensic science will definitely enjoy watching this episode.