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Best Of Season 3 | TRIPLE EPISODE | The New Detectives

The New Detectives・97 minutes read

Crafts' disappearance led to a forensic investigation that implicated her husband in her murder, showcasing the power of forensics. Various cases, from Gainesville murders to brain fingerprinting technology, highlight the crucial role of forensic science in solving crimes and securing convictions.

Insights

  • Richard Crafts' inconsistent answers and suspicious actions, such as renting a wood chipper, led investigators to uncover forensic evidence implicating him in his wife's murder.
  • Forensic analysis, including blood spatter examination and DNA testing, played a crucial role in confirming the identity of victims, determining causes of death, and securing convictions in various murder cases.
  • Innovative forensic techniques like Brain Fingerprinting show promise in enhancing murder investigations by utilizing brain waves as evidence, potentially becoming a standard tool in the future.

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Recent questions

  • How did forensic evidence implicate Richard Crafts in Hella's murder?

    Forensic analysis of blood spatter on the mattress, wood chips, and Crafts' clothing matched Hella's DNA, indicating her presence during the crime. Additionally, human remains found under a bridge, along with a chainsaw potentially linked to the murder, further solidified Crafts' involvement. Dr. Carazoulas' discovery of a human tooth, along with dental records, confirmed Hella's death, leading to the reconstruction of the events by Richard Crafts. The combination of blood evidence, human remains, and forensic analysis played a crucial role in implicating Crafts in Hella's murder.

  • What led to the conviction of Jonathan Whitesides in Eric Humbert's murder case?

    Jonathan Whitesides' involvement in Eric Humbert's murder was confirmed through forensic evidence found in Humbert's car. Blood traces in the hatchback, along with brain tissue inconsistent with a neck wound, indicated a gunshot rather than a stabbing. Bullet fragments and a green fiber further supported the shooting theory. DNA testing on the blood in the car matched Humbert's genetic profile, linking Whitesides to the crime. Despite Humbert's body not being found, the forensic evidence, including blood analysis and bullet fragments, played a crucial role in Whitesides' conviction for Humbert's murder.

  • How did forensics aid in convicting Patricia Johnson and Ronaldo Traviso in the murder case?

    Forensic evidence played a significant role in convicting Patricia Johnson and Ronaldo Traviso for the murders they committed. The gun used in the killings was found wrapped in a plastic sack tossed off a bridge by Johnson, and a forensics expert linked the gun to the wounds on the victims' bodies. Toolmark evidence was crucial in establishing the connection between the weapon and the victims, leading to the conviction of Johnson and Traviso. Additionally, Johnson's statement confirming Traviso as the killer, along with the delivery man's testimony and forensic analysis, provided a strong case against the perpetrators, resulting in life sentences for the murders.

  • How did forensic evidence contribute to the conviction of Danny Rolling in the Gainesville murders?

    Forensic evidence played a crucial role in identifying Danny Rolling as the perpetrator of the Gainesville murders. The tool marks left by a screwdriver with a serrated blade were linked to one killer across multiple crime scenes, aiding in establishing a pattern of evidence. Additionally, the forensic analysis of the crime scenes, including fingerprints and DNA evidence, provided investigators with new tools to identify Rolling as the culprit. The evolution of forensic science, particularly in fingerprint and DNA analysis, helped in securing evidence against Rolling, leading to his conviction and sentencing to death for the brutal killings.

  • How did forensic evidence assist in identifying the killer in Dawn Fairing's murder case?

    In Dawn Fairing's murder case, forensic evidence played a crucial role in identifying the killer. Fingerprints found in Dawn's blood on bed sheets were challenging to lift and analyze, but with the use of Amido Black dye and digital imaging technology, the bloody palm print was clarified. Eric Hayden, a neighbor with a criminal record, emerged as a suspect matching the palm print, leading to his arrest and trial. The credibility of digital imaging technology in clarifying the palm print and linking it to the suspect was instrumental in securing a guilty verdict for first-degree murder. The meticulous collection and analysis of forensic evidence were pivotal in identifying and convicting the killer in Dawn Fairing's case.

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Summary

00:00

Flight attendant's disappearance leads to murder revelation.

  • Hella Crafts, a flight attendant, disappeared in December 1986 from her home in Newtown, Connecticut, leaving behind her husband Richard and three children.
  • Crafts' nanny, Marie Thomas, noticed suspicious stains near Hella's bed, leading to concerns about her safety.
  • Richard Crafts gave inconsistent answers about Hella's whereabouts, raising suspicions among investigators and friends.
  • Police obtained a search warrant for Crafts' house but lacked evidence to charge him with a crime.
  • Blood spatter expert Henry Lee analyzed stains on the mattress, indicating medium-velocity blood spatter from a blunt object.
  • Richard Crafts rented a wood chipper around the time of Hella's disappearance, leading investigators to suspect he used it to dispose of her body.
  • A utility worker reported seeing a wood chipper in use near the Housatonic River, prompting a search that uncovered wood chips and envelopes with Hella's address.
  • Investigators found human remains, including a finger tip, under a bridge, and a chainsaw potentially linked to the crime was discovered.
  • Hair and skin evidence from the wood chips, chainsaw, and Crafts' nightclothes matched Hella's, implicating Richard Crafts in her murder.
  • A human tooth found by Dr. Carazoulas, along with dental records, confirmed Hella Crafts' death, leading to the reconstruction of the likely events of her murder by Richard Crafts.

20:39

"Forensics solve cold case, convict killer"

  • Police investigations and the power of forensics are often underestimated by the public.
  • Richard Crafts received a 50-year sentence for his unconventional disposal of a body, proven by forensics.
  • Eva Dehart's 14-year search for her missing sister, last seen at a place called the Joker's Wild.
  • Eva's abusive relationship with George Patsalas, leader of the group she associated with.
  • Initial missing person report for Eva, with no clear leads or signs of foul play.
  • Debbie's relentless pursuit of the truth, suspecting a conspiracy of silence among the Joker's Wild gang.
  • Discovery of a misidentified body in Frederick, Maryland, sparking hope for Ava's case.
  • Renowned forensic expert Doug Owsley's involvement in identifying the lady in the trunk.
  • Barbara Campfield's cooperation leading to the discovery of Ava's remains in a well.
  • Owsley's forensic analysis determining Ava's cause of death and aiding in George Patsalas's conviction.

39:31

Mystery Car Leads to Murder Conviction

  • Car found in impoundment lot in Louisville, Kentucky, was close to being sold or scrapped.
  • National Crime Information Center check revealed the car was part of a missing person's investigation in New Albany, Indiana.
  • Car belonged to Eric Humbert, with traces of blood found in the hatchback.
  • Jonathan Whitesides, last person to see Humbert alive, failed a polygraph exam.
  • Whitesides admitted to more knowledge than initially disclosed, claiming Humbert was accidentally stabbed in a garage altercation.
  • Blood evidence in the car suggested a gunshot, not a stabbing.
  • Forensic analysis revealed brain tissue in the car, inconsistent with a neck wound.
  • Bullet fragments and a green fiber indicated a shooting, not a stabbing.
  • DNA testing on blood in the car linked to Humbert's genetic profile, confirming his presence.
  • Whitesides was convicted of murder, sentenced to 50 years in prison, despite Humbert's body not being found.

01:00:32

Gun used in murders, culprits convicted.

  • Marks on victims matched wounds, indicating a gun was used.
  • Forensics identified the weapon type used in the crimes.
  • Tip from a prostitute led police to suspect Patricia Johnson and her drug dealer boyfriend, Ronaldo Traviso.
  • Delivery man recalled delivering pizza to the victims' home, where Johnson answered the door.
  • Johnson admitted being at the victims' house and implicated Traviso as the killer.
  • Traviso's motive stemmed from a drug deal gone wrong with the victim, Juan Hernandez.
  • Johnson's statement confirmed Traviso used his gun to kill the victims.
  • Divers found the gun wrapped in a plastic sack tossed off a bridge by Johnson.
  • Forensics expert linked the gun to the wounds on the victims' bodies, aiding in conviction.
  • Toolmark evidence crucial in convicting Traviso and Johnson, leading to life sentences.

01:22:35

"Gainesville Murders: Killer's Conviction and Capture"

  • Victim clamped a booster cable to Thomas's car battery; Thomas retrieved his shotgun.
  • Detective Clark doubted a one-armed man's ability to fire a shotgun.
  • Thomas admitted to hunting with a shotgun.
  • Thomas entrapped his brother-in-law with a scheme but was marked as the killer by clamp scratches.
  • Lead clamp piece linked to forensic evidence, leading to a conviction.
  • Gainesville murders involved brutal killings of women, sparking fear and terror.
  • Police found victims raped and stabbed, staged in a methodical manner.
  • Killer forced entry through doors using a screwdriver with a serrated blade.
  • Screwdriver tool marks linked to one killer across multiple crime scenes.
  • Danny Rolling, a burglar turned rapist and murderer, was identified and sentenced to death.

01:44:03

"Evolution of Forensic Science in Murder Investigation"

  • Forensic science evolves, providing investigators with new tools like fingerprint and DNA evidence, found in only 1% of cases.
  • In Kirkland, Washington, Randy Acall finds his neighbor, Dawn Fairing, murdered in her apartment.
  • Detectives, led by Detective T.J. Klump, investigate the meticulously clean crime scene.
  • Evidence collection reveals Dawn's meticulous nature, with a grocery receipt pinpointing her time of death.
  • By retracing Dawn's steps, investigators estimate her time of death through baking brownies.
  • Fingerprints in Dawn's blood on bed sheets are crucial evidence, challenging to lift and analyze.
  • Lab scientist Pat Warwick uses Amido Black dye to enhance the bloody palm print, facing challenges.
  • Eric Byrd's digital imaging expertise helps clarify the palm print, aiding in identifying the killer.
  • Eric Hayden, a neighbor with a criminal record, emerges as a suspect matching the palm print.
  • Hayden's arrest and trial, where digital imaging technology's credibility is crucial in securing a guilty verdict for first-degree murder.

02:05:47

"Murder Victims Found in Big Bear"

  • In 1987, a fur trapper found an abandoned mattress in California's Big Bear region, leading to the discovery of two murder victims.
  • The cold weather preserved the bodies, aiding in the investigation by preventing decomposition and animal activity.
  • The man had distinctive tattoos resembling those of convicts, helping identify him as ex-convict Richard Christensen.
  • Autopsy evidence revealed both victims died from multiple shotgun blasts.
  • Richard Christensen's family mentioned his drug dealings with a motorcycle gang member named Archie Woods.
  • Police suspected Woods and found potential blood stains at his secluded home, leading to a search for evidence.
  • The Alternate Light Source (ALS) technique was used to reveal hidden blood evidence behind fresh paint in Woods' house.
  • The ALS uncovered arterial spurting blood patterns consistent with the victims' wounds, aiding in reconstructing the crime scene.
  • Woods was arrested and claimed innocence, blaming his motorcycle gang for the murders, but the ALS evidence contradicted his story.
  • Brain Fingerprinting, a new technique developed by Larry Farwell, uses brain waves to determine if a suspect has memories related to a crime, aiding in criminal investigations.

02:27:14

"Brain Fingerprinting: Enhancing Murder Investigations with Technology"

  • Brain activity patterns are created when subjects see relevant information on a screen, leading to increased brain activity when recognition occurs.
  • The United States Navy conducted a test using brain fingerprinting to distinguish military medical students from civilians with 100% accuracy, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions tailored to specific knowledge.
  • Brain fingerprinting, unlike the polygraph, detects electrical brain activity to identify hidden information without revealing details, showing promise in murder investigations.
  • Brain fingerprinting technology, though not yet admissible in the United States, holds potential for enhancing murder investigations by utilizing brain waves as evidence, potentially becoming a routine tool in the future.
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