Watch Swamp Murders
- 2013
- 5 Seasons
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6.9 (313)
Swamp Murders is an American true crime television series produced by Investigation Discovery. The show, which aired from 2013 through 2017 over five seasons and fifty-two episodes, explored the gruesome murders committed in the swamps and marshes of the United States. Each episode followed a real-life murder case that took place in a swampy area, and Jordan Burgess served as the narrator and host.
The series mainly targeted viewers who had an interest in true crime and murder stories. The show featured a range of murder cases, from those that were never solved to those where the murderer was quickly apprehended. Each episode was a standalone, dealing with a different swamp murder case in a different location, with no connection between episodes.
The show kicks-off with a brief introduction from Burgess about the crime and the location, including the historic significance of the place. The opening sequence sets the tone for the episode, including footage of swamps, marshes, and other watery landscapes while Burgess narrates the events of the crime. The intro sets the context for the crime and the victim and the challenges faced by the investigators as they try to solve the case.
The rest of the episode unfolds like a mystery plot, with the narrator highlighting the victim's life story, their friends and family, and the suspects emerging in the investigation as well as the efforts of the detectives and the forensic experts who work tirelessly to solve the case. Each episode also presented a recreation of the crime scene through high-quality animation and special effects, which helped the viewers visualize the nature of the crime and how it was committed.
Throughout the course of the episode, the narrator traces every clue and every dead end that the detectives encountered during the investigation, building tension and suspense with every twist and turn. The stories presented were always true, and sometimes, the episode concludes with interviews of the real authorities and victims' families, adding a sense of authenticity to the show.
One of the remarkable aspects of the show is its emphasis on forensic sciences' role in solving the murder cases presented. The series often highlighted the use of advanced forensic techniques in investigations, including how investigators used DNA profiling and dental records to identify the victims, and used soil analysis to trace the killer's steps. The show also touched briefly on the art and science of forensic anthropology, and how it is used in crime scene investigation.
Jordan Burgess served as the perfect host for the show. He has a soothing voice, which helps maintain continuity between one episode to the next. Burgess never overshadowed the stories he was narrating and kept his tone neutral, allowing the viewers to focus on the elements of the story. Burgess also had an air of authority, which helped to make the viewers feel secure that they are listening to a reliable source.
Overall, Swamp Murders was a successful true-crime series that appealed to lovers of the genre. The series balanced the entertainment value with the seriousness of the crimes presented, and the reenactments captured the essence of the crime-scenes beautifully. The show often highlighted underappreciated detectives and forensic experts, driving home the point that solving such heinous crimes is not a one-person job. The cameras showed the wider community's impact of the crimes as the affected family members, and the empathy portrayed in the episodes helped paint a human side to the stories. If you are a fan of true crime and murder mysteries, Swamp Murders delivers a spine-chilling hour of entertainment while also imparting some valuable knowledge about forensic science, law enforcement, and the complex human ways of coping with grief and loss.
Swamp Murders is a series that ran for 5 seasons (45 episodes) between May 28, 2013 and on Investigation Discovery