Ep 6. Branded

In Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 12 episode 6 titled "Branded," the SVU detectives are called in when a young woman is found unconscious and branded with a mysterious tattoo on her back. As they investigate the case, they discover a human trafficking ring that is using the tattoos as a way to identify their victims and control them.

The episode begins with the young woman, Jane, being found in an alleyway by a group of concerned citizens. She is rushed to the hospital where the detectives learn that she was drugged and sexually assaulted. However, the most disturbing aspect of her injuries is the fresh tattoo on her back, which looks like a barcode.

The detectives are immediately suspicious of the tattoo and begin to investigate its origin and meaning. They soon learn that it is part of a system used by a human trafficking ring to control their victims. Each tattoo is unique and can be scanned to reveal the victim's name, date of birth, and other personal details.

As the detectives dig deeper into the case, they uncover a network of traffickers who use the tattoos to mark their victims as property. They also discover that the traffickers are selling the victims to wealthy buyers who are using them for sex and forced labor.

One of the key suspects in the case is a man named David, who owns a tattoo parlor and has a history of involvement with human trafficking. When the detectives confront him with the evidence, he denies any involvement but is later found to have been lying. With David's help, the team is able to track down the main trafficking ring and save several women who are being held captive.

Throughout the episode, the team struggles to balance their desire to help the victims with the need to follow the law and obtain proper evidence for prosecution. This tension is heightened when one of the victims is discovered to be an illegal immigrant who is afraid of being deported if she talks to the police.

As the episode comes to a close, the detectives are able to bring the traffickers to justice and help the victims start to rebuild their lives. However, they are left questioning how many other victims are out there and how they can continue to fight against such horrific crimes.

Overall, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit season 12 episode 6 "Branded" is a gripping and emotional look at the realities of human trafficking and the lengths that some people will go to in order to profit from the suffering of others. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of justice and the ongoing need to fight against these kinds of injustices in our society.