Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts

Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts

Follow Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Ruthless murderers like the BTK Strangler and Dr. Death were brought down by revolutionary forensic techniques that pushed the boundaries of detective work.


    • Jun 23, 2012 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 3m AVG DURATION
    • 14 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts

    The Bones Under Gacy's House

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2012 3:12


    Identifying all of the skeletons found under Gacy's house will take years, but by reading the clues in the bones, forensic anthropologists can tell what kind of person the Killer Clown targeted.

    Behind the Scenes: Recreating the 80s

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 3:14


    Join executive producer Annie Paterno and director Jay Dahl on the set of Catching Killers to see how recreating an investigation is all about the details - right down to the clunky computers and office supplies.

    Investigating Insects and Alibis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 3:11


    With only tiny insect fragments from the radiator in Vincent Brothers' car, bug experts can prove his alibi is a lie.

    Where Do Fingerprints Come From?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 2:25


    From cradle to grave, no matter how much fingers grow, everyone's fingerprints are unique and unchanging.

    All Signs Point to Innocent

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 3:15


    In 1983, police in Leicestershire, England struggle to make their case - until they join forces with scientists, who are just discovering the potential of DNA profiling.

    Measuring Time with Maggots

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 3:38


    In 1935, when decomposing body parts were found under a bridge, maggots were used to determine time-of-death and bugs became evidence for the first time.

    An Innocent Man on Death Row

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2012 3:12


    In the first case using ballistic evidence, the validity of ballistics as a forensic science was called into question when an "expert witness" lied on the stand and sent an innocent man to death row.

    The Sniper's Bullets

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2012 2:53


    After multiple shootings, the only evidence in the DC Sniper case are bullet fragments pulled from the victims. Luckily, scientists can use those to answer vital questions about the killer's weapon.

    Skeletons in the Smithsonian Collection

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2012 3:01


    Forensic investigation is nothing new to Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. Their collection of donated human skeletons has been used to solve crimes.

    Murder or Cholera?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2012 3:14


    In 1840, a murder case hinges on whether a man died of cholera or arsenic-poisoning, and for the first time ever, scientists are called in to test his remains.

    Behind the Scenes: How to Play Dead

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2012 1:35


    Playing a corpse isn't easy, but Hannah Sarrouy, who played a dead girl in Catching Killers, is now a master of the "dead face."

    Shining Light on the Evidence

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2012 3:15


    The Night Stalker investigation was blown wide open when - for the first time ever - a laser was used to illuminate latent fingerprints.

    Traces of a Serial Killer

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2012 2:46


    When BTK started killing, using DNA evidence wasn't the norm. But 20 years later, tiny traces of DNA left on his first victims could be enough to bring him to justice.

    Dr. Death's Invisible Poison

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2012 3:23


    With Michael Swango in custody for fraud, it's up to the scientists to figure out how he killed his patients - before his sentence is up and he gets another chance to escape.

    Claim Smithsonian Channel Presents Forensic Firsts

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel