Forensic Files Season 3 Episode 16 Within a Hair

The Forensic Files Season 3 Episode 16, named "Within a Hair," takes a deep dive into the world of forensic science and DNA analysis to solve a crime that seemed to have no witnesses, no evidence, and no leads.

The episode begins with a murder investigation of a young woman named Janet Sicilian. Janet was a 25-year-old nursing student who was found dead in her apartment by her roommate. The police found no signs of forced entry and no apparent motive for the murder. There were no weapons found at the scene, and no DNA evidence was left behind.

As the detectives continued to investigate, they interviewed Janet's ex-boyfriend, who she had recently broken up with, and her former landlord, who had a history of disputes with Janet. But both had alibis for the time of the murder, and there was no concrete evidence linking them to the crime.

With no leads, the detectives decided to focus on the few pieces of evidence they did have: a few hairs found at the crime scene that did not belong to Janet. They turned to forensic science to help them identify the killer.

They collected DNA samples from numerous suspects, including acquaintances of Janet's, but all the samples ruled out as a match to the hair. The investigators were baffled and confused as to what the DNA actually meant and how it tied to the case. They didn't know what kind of hair the DNA was found from, whether it was male or female hair, or something else.

The forensic scientists then used a new technique called mitochondrial DNA analysis, a relatively new testing tool at the time. The mitochondrial DNA of one of the suspects was found to match that of the hair, and forensic scientists were finally able to identify the killer.

Through interviews and investigations, the detectives painted a picture of what had happened on the night of the murder. The killer, who was a neighbor of Janet's, had visited Janet on the night of the murder. During the course of an argument that ensued, the killer strangled Janet. The killer then pulled out their own hair and left it behind to confuse the investigators. It was this hair that ultimately led to the killer's arrest.

The episode ends with a quote stating that even crimes thought to have no evidence can be solved with the use of modern forensic science.

Overall, the Forensic Files Season 3 Episode 16, "Within a Hair," is a gripping and compelling episode that highlights the power of forensic science in solving crimes. The episode takes us through the criminal investigation process of unveiling every aspect of a killer and how even the smallest clues can lead to their apprehension.