Forensic Files: Collection Season 1 Episode 10 Two in a Million
- September 5, 2007
Forensic Files: Collection is a true crime documentary series that explores how forensic science has been used to solve crimes. Each episode focuses on a specific case and the scientific techniques used to solve it.
In season 1, episode 10, titled "Two in a Million," viewers are taken through the investigation of the murder of a young woman in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The episode opens with a recreation of the crime, as the victim, Mary Kate Sunderlin, leaves a bar and is followed by an unknown individual.
The investigation begins when Mary Kate's parents report her missing. An intense search leads to the discovery of her body in a wooded area near her apartment. The crime scene is disturbing, with Mary Kate's hands and feet bound with duct tape and a plastic bag over her head. The police use forensic evidence to piece together what happened to Mary Kate.
The first clue comes from the duct tape used to bind her hands and feet. The police trace the tape to a local hardware store and use video footage to identify the person who purchased it. The suspect is a man named Stephen Scherf, who denies any involvement in the crime.
Forensic evidence found at the crime scene provides further insight into what happened to Mary Kate. The medical examiner determines that she was strangled, likely with a ligature. The police recover a rare and unusual type of rope from the scene, which they believe was used to strangle Mary Kate. They also find a partial fingerprint on the duct tape used to bind her hands, which they eventually match to Stephen Scherf.
The prosecution builds a strong case against Scherf based on the forensic evidence, witness testimony, and cell phone data that places him near the crime scene at the time of the murder. During the trial, Scherf's defense team attempts to cast doubt on the forensic evidence and accuses the police of mishandling the investigation.
In the end, the prosecution prevails, and Stephen Scherf is found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. The episode concludes with an overview of how the forensic evidence was critical in securing Scherf's conviction.
"Two in a Million" is a gripping episode of Forensic Files: Collection that showcases the power of forensic science in solving crimes. Through detailed analysis of the forensic evidence, viewers are given an inside look at how crimes are solved and how justice is served. The episode serves as a reminder of the importance of forensic science and the dedicated professionals who use it to keep our communities safe.