The New Detectives: Case Studies in Forensic Science

Watch The New Detectives: Case Studies in Forensic Science

  • TV-PG
  • 1996
  • 9 Seasons
  • 7.8  (613)

The New Detectives: Case Studies in Forensic Science was a television show that aired from 1996 to 2005. The show was produced by Kurtis Productions and aired on the Discovery Channel. The New Detectives was a documentary-style show that focused on real-life cases that were solved with the help of forensic science.

Each episode of the show followed the investigation of a different crime, from murder and arson to theft and fraud. The show featured interviews with the detectives, forensic scientists, and other experts who worked on the case. The New Detectives also included reenactments of the crime and the investigation, as well as footage of the crime scene and laboratory analysis.

The show was hosted by Gene Galusha, Frank McCaffrey, and Nick Pizzillo, who each provided commentary and insight throughout the episode. The hosts were experienced law enforcement professionals who had worked in various fields, such as homicide investigations, arson investigations, and forensic science.

One of the key focuses of The New Detectives was the use of advanced forensic techniques to solve crimes. The show highlighted the importance of evidence collection, laboratory analysis, and the use of technology in solving crimes. The New Detectives often showed how forensic science helped to uncover evidence that was not visible to the naked eye, such as DNA or microscopic fibers.

Some of the most memorable episodes of The New Detectives focused on high-profile cases, such as the Oklahoma City bombing and the Unabomber case. The show also featured episodes on lesser-known cases that were just as fascinating, such as a case where an arsonist was caught by analyzing the accelerant used in the fire, or a case where a stolen car was recovered by analyzing microscopic paint chips found at the scene of the crime.

One of the strengths of The New Detectives was the way it presented complex scientific concepts in a way that was easy to understand for the average viewer. The show used clear, simple language and visual aids to explain scientific processes and analysis, making it accessible to viewers who may not have a background in forensic science.

Overall, The New Detectives: Case Studies in Forensic Science was a groundbreaking show that helped to popularize the use of forensic science in solving crimes. It was a fascinating look at how science and technology can be used to uncover the truth and bring criminals to justice. The show was widely acclaimed for its accuracy, attention to detail, and compelling storytelling, making it a must-watch for fans of true crime and forensic science.

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Seasons
Vanished
18. Vanished
October 31, 2004
Murderers will often go to great lengths to keep their crimes concealed, but forensic evidence is impossible to cover up. In this episode, medical examiners and authorities rush to identify bodies found in drum barrels and locate several missing women linked to the killer.
Fatal Twist
17. Fatal Twist
September 18, 2004
When an unexpected crime occurs with no eyewitnesses, very few clues and the killers on the run, authorities must rely on forensic science to discover the fatal twist in these cases.
Critical Evidence
16. Critical Evidence
August 28, 2004
Whether it is a fingerprint or a single bullet, sometimes it is the smallest piece of evidence that is needed to crack the biggest cases. In this episode, detectives use an ingenious technique to find the bullet that killed an elderly man.
Written in Blood
15. Written in Blood
August 14, 2004
Blood can be the most telling evidence of a murder and often it is the only thing investigators have to link a killer to his or her victim. Forensic scientists and medical examiners can look at blood spatter patterns and the amount of blood lost to determine how someone was killed.
Loved to Death
14. Loved to Death
July 17, 2004
Forensic science has advanced so much that even the oldest remains still share the clues necessary to convict a killer. Investigators use DNA to solve a murder case from 1980; a Russian woman is murdered in her home and police try to find a killer with the means and motive.
Stolen Youth
13. Stolen Youth
June 12, 2004
Murdering a child is perhaps the most heinous of crimes. But no matter how defenseless a killer believes a young child to be, there is no hiding from the clues left behind. In this episode, police investigate the separate disappearances of two young girls.
Price of Murder
12. Price of Murder
May 8, 2004
When the amount of money is substantial enough, a person can be motivated to do terrible things to someone they love. Police discover that a large life insurance policy was motive for a man's murder. A woman hires outside help to cover up her husband's death with claims of a brutal home invasion.
Broken Trust
11. Broken Trust
April 24, 2004
Often, criminals misuse the trust they've built with their victims to commit heinous misdeeds. A family discovers the mummified remains of a pregnant woman dead for nearly 25 years and police suspect her former employer; a nurse notices an unusually high number of deaths in an ICU unit and believes another medical professional may be responsible.
Murderous Attraction
10. Murderous Attraction
April 10, 2004
The most sacred of vows are sometimes not even enough to stop people who are determined to get what they want using any means necessary. In this episode, a nurse suspects a patient's husband of attempted murder by poisoning and a man stages his depressed wife's murder as a suicide.
Raw Greed
9. Raw Greed
March 27, 2004
Even ordinary objects, when used to kill, carry enough evidence for forensic scientists to piece together the most complicated murders. In this episode, criminals who killed for money are brought to justice with evidence found on mundane, household objects.
Out to Kill
8. Out to Kill
March 16, 2004
Sometimes, cooperation from people who are not associated with a crime in any way is the only link between a criminal and the clues left behind for forensic experts. This episode examines cases in which good Samaritans provide tips to investigators to help solve these puzzling crimes.
Killing Time
6. Killing Time
January 29, 2004
A killer will often try to disguise the victim's body in an attempt to the hide the actual cause of death; however, forensics cannot be fooled. In this episode, authorities use reverse DNA testing to identify remains and solve an old crime.
Misplaced Loyalty
5. Misplaced Loyalty
January 17, 2004
A house fire in California turns into a murder investigation when authorities discover that the victim's best friend and personal manager had recently cleaned out her bank account.
Fatal Impressions
4. Fatal Impressions
January 13, 2004
Sometimes the faintest fingerprint or tire track is all investigators need to solve even the most brutal of crimes. When a woman's body is discovered in a field, detectives employ a rarely used technique to lift fingerprints from her corpse and bring her killer to justice.
Shattered Vows
3. Shattered Vows
January 10, 2004
Marriage is one of the tightest bonds two people can have, until lies and deceit drive one of them to kill. In this episode, forensic experts are employed to link a woman's husband to her violent murder and uncover a murder disguised as a car accident.
Blind Trust
2. Blind Trust
November 25, 2003
Often, a killer will build the victim's trust before he or she attacks. In this episode, New Mexico police search for a missing teenager who disappeared from a local skating rink. Authorities suspect the two friends she was last seen with.
Hidden Obsessions
1. Hidden Obsessions
October 28, 2003
Sometimes, those closest to a victim can be the most dangerous. Beneath a layer of trust can lurk a deadly obsession. In these cases, authorities employ an arsenal of forensic techniques to uncover the twisted path of lies that leads to murder.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    June 10, 1996
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (613)