Forensic Files: Collection Season 1 Episode 23 DNA Dragnet

In episode 23 of Forensic Files Collection season 1, titled DNA Dragnet, the show explores a case involving the brutal murder of 17-year-old Krystal Steadman in Pocatello, Idaho in 1996. The young girl was abducted while babysitting, and her body was later found in a mountainous area with evidence of sexual assault and strangulation.

The case remained unsolved until the local police department, with the help of a private laboratory, developed a groundbreaking new DNA dragnet technique that allowed them to collect DNA samples from a large portion of the local male population. The dragnet ultimately led them to a suspect, Paul Ezra Rhoades, who was eventually convicted of Steadman's murder, along with two other murders and several other violent crimes.

The episode chronicles the investigation and trial, showcasing the cutting-edge forensic techniques that were used to identify Rhoades as the perpetrator. Interviews with investigators and forensic experts provide insight into the extensive amount of work that went into the case, including the collection and analysis of a massive amount of DNA samples.

Along the way, viewers are given a glimpse into the legal system, highlighting the difficulties faced by prosecutors in cases where DNA evidence is a key factor. Despite the strong evidence against Rhoades, the defense argued that the DNA evidence could have been contaminated, and tried to dispute the validity of the forensic techniques used to collect and analyze the samples.

Overall, DNA Dragnet is an intriguing episode of Forensic Files Collection season 1 that showcases the ways in which forensic science has evolved over the years to help solve previously unsolvable crimes. Through interviews with investigators, forensic experts, and other individuals involved in the case, viewers are given a unique perspective on the lengths that law enforcement will go to in order to catch a killer and bring justice for their victims and families.