CSI on Trial

Season 1

CSI On Trial reveals the shocking lack of scientific validity behind these investigative practices through real-life criminal cases, the stories of the wrongly convicted who are now free, and the believed innocent who remain behind bars.

Where to Watch Season 1

6 Episodes

Blood Pattern Analysis
E1
Blood Pattern AnalysisBased on expert testimony from bloodstain pattern analysts a jury convicted former state trooper David Camm of killing his family. He was exonerated years later when a shocking new piece of evidence came to light. How did bloodstain pattern analysis get it so wrong? Is it good science?
Bite Mark Analysis
E2
Bite Mark AnalysisAs a young sailor Keith Harward was convicted of a vicious assault based on bitemark analysis. After 33 years in prison DNA testing exonerated him and proved the bite evidence was junk. The bitemark analysis field has seen intense in-fighting and government investigations.
Firearm Examination
E3
Firearm ExaminationFirearms Analysis is one of the most common forensic science practices in the US but recently the science behind it has come under fire. The national battle over whether to allow firearms analysis evidence in court is not just theoretical.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
E4
Shaken Baby SyndromeSuburban mom Audrey Edmunds was convicted of shaking a neighbor’s baby to death. But she was freed after 11 years when the pathologist who testified against her admitted he was no longer sure about Shaken Baby Syndrome.
Footwear Analysis
E5
Footwear AnalysisThe shoe print at the grisly Idaho crime scene seemed to match Charles Fain’s shoe– both showed a small nail hole in the sole. Based on that physical evidence he was convicted and sentenced to death.
Arson Investigation
E6
Arson InvestigationDavid Gavitt served almost 27 years in prison before new arson investigation science exonerated him. Anthony Kyles and countless others are still behind bars. What happens when the science behind crime scene investigations moves forward but legal precedent only looks backward?