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Welcome to the companion Web site to the NOVA program "The Killer's Trail," in which a team of experts investigates the forensic evidence in the 1954 murder of Marylin Sheppard, one of the most famous unsolved crimes in the U.S. The program was originally broadcast on October 19, 1999. Here's what you'll find online:
  • Chronology of a Murder
    A riveting, step-by-step account of the key events in the Sheppard murder case, assembled by Sheppard's son and attorney-journalist Cynthia Cooper.

  • Science in the Courtroom
    A prominent Superior Court Judge explains why all judges should take a laboratory class on the fundamentals of DNA research.

  • Create a DNA Fingerprint (Hot Science)
    Assemble a DNA fingerprint online and use it to identify the culprit in a hypothetical crime. (Shockwave required)

  • 3-D Mug Shot (QTVR)
    Get a glimpse at one of the latest crime-fighting tools—a laser-imaging technique that creates three-dimensional mug shots and uses ears to identify individuals.

  • Cleared By DNA
    If DNA findings end up exonerating him of his wife's murder, Sam Sheppard would not be alone. Indeed, the sheer number of convicts who have gained their freedom following analysis of DNA collected at crime scenes may surprise you.
Plus Resources.

Photo: Archive Photos

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© | created October 1999