A Former Police Officer Becomes the Prime Murder Suspect (S3, E4) | Cold Case Files | Full Episode

1st case: In 1995, DNA technology was already far beyond what this forensic analyst claimed. The real problem was that many of these analysts weren’t qualified for the advanced methods that had been developing since the late ’80s. When she talks about “one in a thousand” and acts like that’s the ceiling, it just exposes how outdated she was and how little she understood about what modern PCR‑based testing could already do at that time.
And this wasn’t some one‑off mistake. There was another case in 1998 where the forensic analyst decided there “wasn’t enough DNA” to test, clearly unaware of how PCR can amplify tiny amounts of material. The result? The case stalled for years for no good reason.
Time and time again most of these outdated and unqualified analysts, lacking the knowledge of advancement in DNA testing, kept playing the dice and blamed the lack of technology and advancement just because they were not aware of it or didn’t bother to get updated with that knowledge.
The only reason I can point out these flaws is because we were working in IT back then on systems and software for federal and private organizations, including forensic and investigative tools. For us, solving a case is like playing chess: if you don’t understand what each piece can do, you will never win. What’s the point of having world‑class technology and tools if the people in charge don’t know how to use them?

I’ll never be convinced that executing murderers immediately after they’re found guilty is a bad idea.

The detective Don McNeal has a very nice manner. All cops should be required to take a course in manners and personal presentation using him as an example. This guy could fish anything out of me.