The Genetic Detective Season 1 Episode 6 The Hot Case

The Genetic Detective season 1 episode 6, titled "The Hot Case," follows investigative genetic genealogist CeCe Moore as she works to solve a murder case from 1996. The victim, Angie Dodge, was brutally killed in her Idaho Falls apartment, and the case remained unsolved for over two decades.

Moore is brought on by the Idaho Falls police department to use her skills in genetic genealogy to identify the killer. She begins by analyzing crime scene DNA samples, which reveal a male profile. However, there are no matches in any law enforcement databases.

Moore then turns to the public, making a plea for anyone who may have information about the case to come forward. She also uses social media to appeal to potential family members of the killer, asking them to submit DNA samples for comparison. Her efforts lead to hundreds of responses, and she sorts through the data to narrow down potential leads.

One promising lead comes in the form of a man named Michael Usry, whose father's DNA profile matches the one found at the crime scene. However, Moore soon discovers that this match is likely due to a distant genetic connection, and that Usry is likely not the killer.

Undeterred, Moore continues to analyze the DNA data and eventually identifies a close familial match - a man named Brian Dripps Sr. Dripps had only been briefly mentioned in the original investigation, but Moore's genetic analysis points to him as a strong suspect.

Moore and the police department launch an investigation into Dripps, and they discover that he had lived in the same apartment complex as Angie Dodge at the time of the murder. They also find that he had a criminal record and a history of sexual assault.

With this new evidence, Dripps is brought in for questioning. He initially denies any involvement in the murder, but eventually confesses to the crime. Moore's work in genetic genealogy had finally led to justice for Angie Dodge and her family.

Throughout the episode, Moore showcases the power of genetic genealogy in solving crimes and bringing closure to families. She also emphasizes the importance of reaching out to the public for help, as many of the DNA matches came from everyday citizens who wanted to contribute to the investigation. "The Hot Case" is a gripping and emotional episode that highlights the cutting-edge field of genetic genealogy in the context of a tragic real-life case.