July 7, 2000

Crime Scene (2000)

Every crime scene hides a story. In this week's show, we hear about crime scenes and the stories they tell.

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Transcript

A crime scene investigator in England.
OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

We made an updated version of this episode in 2018.

Prologue

Medical Examiner L.J. Dragovic, in Pontiac, Michigan, explains how every crime scene is like a novel. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Act One

Forensic Criminologist Enrico Togneri in Nevada explains exactly what can be learned from evidence on a crime scene: What can be learned from the shape of a blood stain or a piece of cheese. (4 minutes)

By

Ira Glass

Act Two

Grime Scene

Reporter Nancy Updike spends two days with Neal Smither, who cleans up crime scenes for a living, and comes away wanting to open his Los Angeles franchise, despite the gore—or maybe because of it. (13 minutes)

By

Nancy Updike

Song:

“Papa Don't Take No Mess, Pt. 1” by James Brown

Act Three

A Criminal Returns To The Scene Of The Crime

Sometimes criminals return to the scene of their misdeeds—to try to make things right, to try to undo the past. Katie Davis reports on her neighbor Bobby, who returned to the scene where he robbed people and conned people...to coach Little League. (21 minutes)