Forensic Files: Collection Season 1 Episode 20 Fashion Police

In this episode of Forensic Files: Collection, titled "Fashion Police," viewers are taken into the investigation of the brutal murder of a young woman in her home. The case is cracked wide open with the help of a clue left behind at the scene: a pair of distinctive men's boots.

The victim, a fashion designer named Linda Sobek, was reported missing by her boyfriend when she failed to return from a photo shoot in a remote area outside of Los Angeles. Her body was discovered several days later by hikers, buried in a shallow grave.

The investigation quickly focused on a suspect, a former LAPD officer turned photographer named Charles Rathbun, who had been working with Sobek on the day of her disappearance. Rathbun was known to have a violent temper and a history of domestic abuse.

But proving Rathbun's guilt was no easy task. The crime scene was heavily disturbed, making it difficult to gather physical evidence. However, investigators were able to recover a pair of boots that matched the distinct tread patterns found at the scene of the crime.

Through a painstaking process of elimination, forensic experts were able to determine that the size and shape of the boot prints could only have been made by a single pair of boots: a brand of hiking boots sold exclusively at a specific sporting goods store. Further analysis revealed that the boots in question had been purchased at that store, and that Rathbun had been seen wearing them on the day of the murder.

In addition to the boots, investigators were able to track Rathbun's movements using cell phone tower data. The data showed that Rathbun had lied about his whereabouts on the day of the murder, placing him squarely in the area where Sobek's body was found.

The case against Rathbun was further strengthened by eyewitness testimony from a gas station attendant who reported seeing Rathbun with Sobek on the day of her disappearance. Sobek's own car also provided valuable evidence, as it contained traces of soil that matched the location where her body was found.

Ultimately, the evidence was enough to secure a conviction against Rathbun for the murder of Linda Sobek. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The "Fashion Police" episode of Forensic Files: Collection is a riveting look at the painstaking process of forensic investigation, and a testament to the power of evidence in criminal cases. Viewers are left with a renewed appreciation for the tireless work of law enforcement and forensic experts in bringing killers to justice.