• Revisiting the Wayne Henley Jr. Case: Dean Corll and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice | The Documentary
    Aug 20 2025
    In this episode of Zone 7, CSI Sheryl McCollum welcomes back Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman to discuss the release of their documentary The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. This two-hour film revisits the chilling case of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. and Dean Corll, blending archival footage, exclusive interviews, and rare audio recordings. Dr. Ramsland and Ullman share behind-the-scenes insights on producing the documentary. They reveal what has surfaced since the book’s release, and why this case, rooted in grooming, complicity, and trafficking, continues to offer powerful lessons today. Resources: Zone 7 Part I The Serial Killer's Apprentice | The Story of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr.Zone 7 Part II How to Prevent Young People From Falling Victim to Predatory CriminalsThe Serial Killer's ApprenticeHow to Catch a KillerThe Mind of a Murderer: A Glimpse into the Darkest Corners of the Human Psyche, from a Leading Forensic PsychiatristJohn Wayne Gacy: Devil in DisguiseThe Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary is now streaming on HBO Max(Originally aired on Investigation Discovery (ID) on August 17, 2025) Highlights: (0:00) Sheryl kicks off Zone 7 with Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman, introducing The Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary(2:00) How the documentary expands on the book with new interviews, archival footage, and Henley’s own voice(4:00) Condensing the sprawling Dean Corll case into a two-hour film without losing depth(8:45) “Corll picked two adolescent boys to do his dirty work for him.” – Dr. Ramsland on how predators groom children into crimes(11:00) The purpose of the documentary: helping parents, teachers, and kids recognize signs of grooming and recruitment(12:45) The Devil’s Den murders and how predators hide in plain sight(17:15) Henley’s cries for help that were ignored, and how the film reframes him as both victim and accomplice(22:15) Tracy Ullman urges viewers to move beyond the old “fixed villain” narrative, while Henley confronts the reality of being part of a trafficking network and how it reshaped his view of guilt and remorse(32:00) Henley’s evolving understanding of his role, his remorse, and why the full truth behind these crimes may still be unfolding(36:45) Sheryl closes with a quote from A Darker Shade of Magic: “Some people steal to stay alive. Some people steal to feel alive.” Thanks for tuning in to Zone 7. If you are enjoying the podcast, please leave a rating and review. Your support helps us continue to educate, investigate, and advocate. --- Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, forensic and crime scene expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. She is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national collaboration that advances techniques for solving cold cases and assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnappings. Dr. Katherine Ramsland is a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University and the author of numerous books and articles. Her works include How to Catch a Killer, The Mind of a Murderer, and The Serial Killer’s Apprentice. She is also a frequent contributor to crime documentaries and television shows, where she shares her expertise on serial killers, criminal behavior, and the psychology of predators. Tracy Ullman is a writer, producer, and investigative journalist who specializes in true crime storytelling and victim advocacy. She co-authored The Serial Killer’s Apprentice with Dr. Katherine Ramsland and has conducted research into John Wayne Gacy and sex trafficking networks. She also served as an executive producer on The Serial Killer’s Apprentice documentary, helping bring new perspective to the story of Elmer Wayne Henley Jr. And Dean Corll.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    38 mins
  • Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: Jewelry, Tattoos, and the Stories They Tell
    Aug 18 2025

    A skeleton in the woods. A decade-old missing persons case. No clothing, no wallet—just scattered bones, a handgun, and one unusual clue: a custom brass belt buckle engraved with an eagle. It was the one thing friends and family could describe without hesitation, and it was all Dr. Priya Banerjee needed to confirm an identity and bring long-awaited closure.

    In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how jewelry, tattoos, piercings, and other personal effects can crack a case wide open. From thin gold chains to infrared-revealed tattoos, shotgun-damaged accessories to telling purse contents, Dr. Priya recounts cases proving that meticulous documentation isn’t just procedure—it’s often the key to solving cases.

    Highlights

    • (0:00) "Dead men do tell tales.” the investigative value of jewelry, piercings, and tattoos
    • (1:45) Purse contents: receipts, bus passes, and the kind of intel you can’t Google
    • (4:00) The thin gold chain that confirmed an identity
    • (5:30) Belt buckles don’t lie: solving a decade-old missing persons case
    • (9:00) A John Doe’s everyday markers: custom belt buckle, company ring, 70s tattoos
    • (10:30) Tattoos and piercings that shout “this is who I am”—from faith and hometown pride to game-day loyalties
    • (17:30) Medical examiners and law enforcement: the investigative dream team

    About the Hosts

    Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

    Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
    Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

    Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

    Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
    Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
    Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

    📣 If you liked this episode, don’t keep it to yourself! Follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave us a review. Your feedback helps others discover the science, the stories, and the search for truth that define Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    20 mins
  • Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer | Gerry Spence’s Legacy, A Prosecutor on the Stand, and the Melissa Wolfenbarger Case
    Aug 15 2025

    This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer celebrate the life of courtroom legend Gerry Spence, the man who never lost a civil case and built a law school on a Wyoming mountaintop. They also examine the downfall of a prosecutor whose time in the spotlight proved swagger is not a winning strategy. Finally, Sheryl shares an update on the Melissa Wolfenbarger case she has worked on for seven years, a mystery that began with human remains in a trash bag and one of the first cases featured on her Zone 7 podcast. Follow the full story in Melissa Wolfenbarger: Norma and Tina Patton | Part 1, the first in a multi-part Zone 7 series.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
    • (1:00) Gerry Spence remembered as the lawyer who never lost a civil case with stories that made him a legend
    • (4:00) Behind the scenes of the Trial Lawyers College and why no classroom can match it
    • (12:15) “He’s so proud of his story that it’s clear, it’s false”: A prosecutor takes the defense table, his strategy collapses, and the jury wastes no time
    • (17:15) Melissa Wolfenbarger update and why Sheryl is staying quiet for now. Follow the full story in Melissa Wolfenbarger: Norma and Tina Patton | Part 1

    About the Hosts

    Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

    Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

    🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

    Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases, she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage.

    📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

    • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
    • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    • Joshua on X & Instagram: @lawyerschiff

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    20 mins
  • Poisoned Meatballs and Wolf Justice | Special Agent Ed Newcomer
    Aug 13 2025
    A Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 20 years, Ed Newcomer worked in Los Angeles in a variety of international posts before retiring in 2022. During his career, he conducted numerous high-profile international wildlife trafficking investigations involving every continent, including Antarctica, and is known for bringing down some of our planet's most notorious wildlife criminals. He is a recipient of the Humane Law Enforcement Award from the Humane Society of the United States and holds a record six Law Enforcement Awards from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Listeners can learn more about Ed Newcomer on his podcast - Nature’s Secret Service, and on LinkedIn @EdNewcomer In February 2004, an Idaho hiking trail became a deadly crime scene when 58 elk-meat “meatballs” laced with a lethal pesticide were scattered in a known wolf habitat. The suspect’s goal? Kill endangered gray wolves. What followed was an extraordinary, boots-in-the-snow investigation involving forensics, environmental science, and sheer tenacity. In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, and Ed Newcomer, a retired special agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, walk us through the forensic lab breakthroughs that tied the poison, the elk meat, and even a suspect’s boots directly to the scene. Along the way, you'll hear how a rookie game warden’s decision to bag “yellow snow” ended up sealing the case. If you’re heading to CrimeCon, don't miss Sheryl and Ed on the main stage for Creator’s Row. They’ll be covering another unbelievable wildlife crime case live and in person. Y’all are gonna want a front-row seat! Highlights: (0:00) Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum welcomes Ed back to Zone 7(1:30) Poison: sneaky deadly, and a nightmare to investigate(3:00) Yellowstone wolves: hunted down, written off, and finally restored and protected(6:45) A dog finds a meatball... and the day goes downhill from there(12:00) 58 meatballs, one drainage area, a hiking trail, and a whole lot of collateral damage(18:00) A hunting boot with a missing nub becomes a critical lead(21:15) Rookie collects “yellow snow” (and yes, it matters later)(24:00) Forensics lab confirms the type of meat and poison(25:45) “If I see a wolf, I’m gonna kill it.” A memorable encounter from years prior helps hone in on a suspect(32:45) Search warrant yields boots, poison, elk blood, and hostile bumper stickers(40:00) DNA results confirm the elk in the poisoned meatballs came from the suspect’s home(43:00) Why being a wildlife officer is one of the most dangerous law enforcement jobs(45:45) Influenza, frozen urine, and a guilty plea(53:45) “It all starts with the wolves.” —Peter Wohlleben If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review —it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories. --- Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases. Social Links: Email: coldcase2004@gmail.comTwitter: @ColdCaseTipsFacebook: @sheryl.mccollumInstagram: @officialzone7podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    54 mins
  • Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: What Clothes Reveal About the Crime
    Aug 11 2025

    Sometimes the story is in the fabric, not the flesh—and in the right hands, clothing can speak volumes about a death investigation.

    In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum to explore how clothing can hold vital clues in a death investigation. From the first look at a scene to the autopsy table, they reveal how stains, textures, odors, and damage can tell a story the body alone might not. Dr. Priya shares real-world cases — from waterlogged jeans covered in barnacles to garments hiding trace evidence — and explains why context, culture, and condition matter.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) Welcome to Pathology with Dr. Priya, a Zone 7 series
    • (1:00) "The clothes tell me something before I even start the exam.”
    • (3:15) Stains, fibers, and fabric that preserve hidden evidence
    • (5:15) When clothing speaks louder than the wounds
    • (9:00) Smelling out the truth: detecting accelerants in fire cases
    • (10:45) Finding the unseen with alternate light sources
    • (12:30) What traditional dress can reveal in an investigation
    • (14:30) Paradoxical undressing and mismatched environments
    • (16:15) Rips, tears, and the unmistakable signs of struggle

    About the Hosts

    Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

    Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
    Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

    Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

    Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
    Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
    Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

    📣 If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    18 mins
  • Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer | Devil’s Den Murders, Missed Warnings & Predators in Plain Sight
    Aug 8 2025

    This week on Crime Roundup, Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer unpack the devastating double homicide at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. They examine how predators gain access to children, the red flags that went unheeded, and why state parks can serve as both sanctuaries and stages for violence. With a mix of legal insight and forensic perspective, Sheryl and Joshua explore the psychological, systemic and legal failures behind a crime that stunned the country.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) Welcome to Crime Roundup with Sheryl McCollum and Joshua Schiffer
    • (2:00) “This was planned.” Devil’s Den and predators in isolated spaces
    • (5:15) A killer with access to children and a long list of ignored warnings
    • (6:45) Hidden plates, premeditation, and chilling prep
    • (8:00) Death penalty or mental illness? The defense dilemma
    • (10:30) "There’s no such thing as a part-time child predator”
    • (12:15) How predators pass as mentors and slip through school systems
    • (14:45) Red flags don’t matter—until they do
    • (16:30) Wrapping up: outrage, action, and what comes next

    About the Hosts

    Joshua Schiffer is a veteran trial attorney and one of the Southeast’s most respected legal voices. He is a founding partner at ChancoSchiffer P.C., where he has litigated high-stakes criminal, civil rights, and personal injury cases for over two decades. Known for his bold courtroom presence and ability to clearly explain complex legal issues, Schiffer is a frequent media contributor and fearless advocate for accountability.

    Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook, Cold Case: Pathways to Justice and the founder of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a national nonprofit that unites universities, law enforcement, and students to work on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

    🎧 Want more from Sheryl?

    Catch her every Wednesday on Zone 7, where she doesn’t just talk cold cases—she works them. She’s joined by fellow forensic pros and criminal justice insiders for conversations straight from active investigations. Then on Mondays, tune in to Pathology with Dr. Priya, where the physical evidence takes center stage—because every body tells a story.

    📢 If you enjoyed this episode, follow Crime Roundup on your favorite podcast platform and leave a review to help others find the show. Have a case suggestion? Email coldcase2004@gmail.com or connect with the hosts on social:

    • Sheryl on X: @ColdCaseTips
    • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    • Joshua on X & Instagram: @lawyerschiff

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    18 mins
  • Solving the 1979 Murder of Kathy Halle with M-Vac DNA | Jared Bradley of M-Vac Systems
    Aug 6 2025

    Jared Bradley is the president of M-Vac Systems, a cutting-edge forensic DNA collection company helping law enforcement solve cold cases once thought unsolvable. A military veteran and host of the podcast All Things Crime, Jared is a global leader in touch DNA recovery. He has worked with investigators around the world to identify suspects, exonerate the innocent, and bring long-awaited closure to victim families.

    Learn more: M-Vac Systems

    Podcast: All Things Crime

    In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator Sheryl McCollum is joined by forensic innovator Jared Bradley to explore the newly solved cold case of Kathy Halle, a 19-year-old murdered in 1979. Her case remained unsolved for 45 years—until DNA recovered using the M-Vac system identified suspected serial offender Bruce Lindahl as the killer. Sheryl and Jared unpack the investigation, the science behind M-Vac, and how support from the nonprofit Season of Justice helped bring long-overdue answers.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) Sheryl opens the episode with Kathy Halle’s story and introduces Jared Bradley
    • (3:00) Kathy Halle disappears: a misplaced car, a rooftop purse, and early red flags
    • (9:00) Quiet persistence: decades of case reviews, missed connections, and evolving DNA science
    • (10:30) Cutting-edge DNA recovery leads to a 1-in-9.4-trillion match
    • (12:45) Bruce Lindahl: a suspected serial predator whose violent end left unanswered questions
    • (16:15) The psychology of predators: what makes serial offenders so hard to catch
    • (18:45) M-Vac on the map: solving Krystal Beslanowitch’s murder with DNA from river rocks
    • (23:00) “Every case. Every tool. Every time.”
    • (25:30) Gang violence, shared clothing, and how M-Vac cut through the DNA mix
    • (28:15) Clearing Chris Tapp: how M-Vac helped free a wrongfully convicted man
    • (31:00) From burgers to crime scenes: M-Vac’s surprising origin story
    • (33:15) Final reflections on persistence, partnership, and solving the unsolvable
    • (33:30) “The M-Vac can vacuum 186 times more than a swab can.” – Jared Bradley

    If you’re enjoying Zone 7, please consider leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts—it helps others discover the show and supports our mission to share these stories.

    ---

    Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.

    Social Links:

    • Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
    • Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
    • Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    • Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    34 mins
  • Pathology with Dr. Priya | A Zone 7 Series: When Families Deserve More
    Aug 4 2025

    For Dr. Priya, the autopsy is just the beginning. What happens next can change everything for the families left behind.

    In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee joins Sheryl McCollum, to examine a side of autopsies that rarely makes headlines: the profound responsibility of communicating with families. Dr. Priya reflects on the power of empathy in the autopsy suite, the deep importance of walking families through trauma with care, and the surprising ways postmortem findings can protect the living.

    She shares raw personal experiences—from the loss of her own parents to advocating for grieving families left behind during COVID—and the critical role of cultural awareness, front-line staff, and honest conversations. Listeners will also learn how autopsies sometimes uncover hereditary conditions that can lead to lifesaving interventions for surviving loved ones.

    This is forensic pathology not just as a science, but as a service.

    Highlights:

    • (0:00) The emotional weight of entering the medical examiner’s office
    • (1:30) Debunking the ‘grim reaper’ myth of pathology
    • (3:00) Personal loss and professional insight: How Dr. Priya’s grief reshaped her work
    • (5:45) The unsung heroes of the ME office—investigators and admin staff
    • (6:45) Why Dr. Priya insists on calling families directly
    • (9:00) Launching a private autopsy service in response to COVID-era needs
    • (13:00) Managing expectations: What autopsies reveal and what they can’t
    • (15:00) Working with families and finding closure
    • (16:30) Cultural and religious barriers to autopsy
    • (24:00) Why refusing an autopsy can hurt future legal or health outcomes
    • (27:00) The hidden legacy of genetic disease
    • (30:00) Dr. Priya’s pet and power of early intervention

    About the Hosts

    Dr. Priya Banerjee is a board-certified forensic pathologist with extensive experience in death investigation, clinical forensics, and courtroom testimony. A graduate of Johns Hopkins, she served for over a decade as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner and now runs a private forensic pathology practice. Her work includes military deaths, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has also been featured as a forensic expert on platforms such as CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is a dedicated educator, animal lover, and proud mom.

    Website: anchorforensicpathology.com
    Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

    Sheryl McCollum is an Emmy Award–winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnline, and the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works as a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department and is the co-author of the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a nationally recognized nonprofit that brings together universities, law enforcement, and experts to help solve unsolved homicides, missing persons cases, and kidnappings.

    Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com
    Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips
    Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum
    Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

    📣 If this episode gave you a new understanding of the human side of forensic science, follow the show, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and leave us a review.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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    38 mins