Cold Case Files Classic Season 2 Episode 21 License To Kill/The Tell-Tale Mark

In the 21st episode of Cold Case Files Classic season 2, titled "License to Kill/The Tell-Tale Mark," the viewers are taken through two separate cases that focus on the use of forensic science in solving long-standing mysteries.

The first case, "License to Kill," investigates the death of a young woman named Dorothy Donovan, who was found strangled in her hotel room in Denver, Colorado in 1970. Despite the police department's best efforts, no suspect was ever identified, and the case went cold.

Years later, the case was reopened, and the forensic experts were brought in to examine the physical evidence. The team was able to uncover some critical pieces of the puzzle, including a palm print on the victim's purse and a strand of hair on her body. Through advanced forensic technology, the experts were able to identify the palm print as belonging to a man named Robert Reldan, who was a frequent guest at the same hotel where Donovan was killed. However, Reldan denied any involvement in the crime, and the case remained unsolved for several more years.

Several years later, the forensic team was able to conduct a DNA analysis on the strand of hair found on Donovan's body, which was ultimately traced back to Reldan. In 2006, Reldan was finally arrested and charged with the murder of Dorothy Donovan nearly 36 years after the crime had been committed.

The second case, "The Tell-Tale Mark," explores the murder of a young college student named Karen Wilson in 1978 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Wilson was found strangled and sexually assaulted in her apartment, and the investigators were never able to identify a suspect.

Years later, in 1995, the case was reopened after new technology became available. The forensic team was able to uncover a key piece of evidence, a mark on Wilson's body that was believed to have been made by the suspect. The mark, which was initially thought to be a bite mark, led the team to suspect a man named Dale Eaton who had been residing in the same area at the time of the murder.

Although Eaton denied involvement in the crime, the forensic team was able to piece together a compelling case using DNA analysis, eyewitness testimony, and other forensic evidence. Eaton was ultimately convicted of the murder of Karen Wilson and is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

"License to Kill/The Tell-Tale Mark" highlights the importance of forensic science in solving cold cases and bringing justice to the victims and their families. The episode showcases how advancements in technology have allowed investigators to revisit long-standing cases and identify new leads, ultimately leading to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for these heinous crimes.