Bloodline Detectives Season 1 Episode 14 The Clearfield Rapist

As a warning, the episode may be triggering for viewers as it discusses sexual assault.

In the season finale of Bloodline Detectives, the team takes on a case that has been dormant for years - The Clearfield Rapist. This serial offender terrorized the small town of Clearfield, Utah, in the '90s, targeting lone women and breaking into their homes to assault them. The case went cold when the attacker stopped striking, but after DNA technology improved, law enforcement was able to link several of the attacks to one man.

The episode begins with Detective Sergeant Matt English walking through Clearfield, showing viewers the different locations the rapist targeted. He explains how the attacker was careful and calculated, often choosing women who lived alone, and how he would climb through windows and use various weapons to threaten his victims. He went as far as to put a pillowcase over their heads and toggle the lights on and off to terrorize them even further. But even with all this information, the team has no leads as to who this predator could be.

It's at this point that the team brings in Janelle Fine, a DNA analyst, who explains how advancements in forensic technology now allow her to retrieve DNA samples off of older evidence. This breakthrough spurs the team on to re-examine the old evidence from the Clearfield cases to see if they can finally identify the rapist. As they go through each case, they realize that the attacker was more likely someone that knew the victims or had some tie to the community - something they hadn't considered before.

This revelation leads the team down several different paths, including interviewing all potential suspects and re-interviewing victims to see if they can recall anything unusual. They even reach out to the FBI's Behavioral Science Unit for assistance in creating a profile of the rapist. As they keep digging, a clearer picture of the attacker starts to emerge, and the evidence finally leads them to one man.

The episode goes through how the team gathered enough evidence to arrest the man, from tracking down his relatives to get DNA to using geofencing to prove his presence at the crime scenes. They also discuss how difficult it was to work with the victims, some of whom had moved on from the trauma and didn't want to revisit it.

The last third of the episode centers around the trial and how the team was able to get a conviction even though the crimes happened over two decades ago. They discuss the challenges of prosecuting an old case, including finding and questioning witnesses who may no longer remember specifics. They also show the emotional impact the trial had on the victims, who were given the opportunity to speak about how the attacker had hurt them.

The episode ends with the conclusion of the trial and an update on where the victims are now. Detective Sergeant English reflects on the impact of the case and how it brings closure to the Clearfield community. The episode ends with a call to action, encouraging anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault to come forward no matter how much time has passed.

Overall, The Clearfield Rapist is an intense, well-produced episode that shows the power of forensic technology and dedication to bringing criminals to justice. While the subject matter may be difficult for some viewers, especially those who have experienced sexual assault, the episode handles the topic with sensitivity and respect.