Forensic History: Crimes, Frauds, and Scandals

Course Overview

Modern history is filled with terrible crimes, baffling hoaxes, and seedy scandals. From the infamous Jack the Ripper slayings to Lance Armstrong’s public fall from grace, this course explores forensic science’s role in solving history’s most fascinating mysteries. Professor Murray, a forensic anthropologist with nearly 30 years of experience, blends storytelling and science to examine cases from Victorian London to small-town America.

Video Lectures

01: The Infamous Jack the Ripper (31 min)

Explore the landmark case of the Jack the Ripper murders and the interplay between forensic advances and societal changes.

02: Analyzing the Black Dahlia Murder (30 min)

Investigate the 1947 murder-mutilation of the Black Dahlia and its forensic significance.

03: Dissecting Hollywood Deaths (31 min)

Examine mysterious deaths in Hollywood, including George Reeves, Bob Crane, and Bruce Lee.

04: Decomposition and Confusing Interpretations (29 min)

Learn how taphonomy helps solve cold cases like that of Dalbert Aposhian.

05: Lizzie Borden and the Menendez Brothers (29 min)

Compare infamous family murders and forensic challenges in these two cases.

06: The Tylenol Murders (30 min)

Study the 1982 cyanide-laced Tylenol poisonings and forensic responses.

07: Copycats and Hoaxes (31 min)

Dive into bizarre copycat crimes, from Tylenol poisonings to syringe scares.

08: Frauds and Forgeries (31 min)

Uncover art and document forgery techniques and forensic authentication.

09: Blood Doping and Other Sports Scandals (31 min)

Review athletic scandals, including Lance Armstrong’s doping and Tonya Harding’s attack.

10: Bad Boys of U.S. Politics (31 min)

Analyze political scandals using forensic tools like paternity testing.

11: Criminals of the Wild, Wild West (31 min)

Explore the forensic legacy of outlaws like Jesse James and Wyatt Earp.

12: Investigating Incredible Bank Heists (30 min)

Dissect the 1972 United California Bank heist and forensic investigations.

13: How Reliable is Eyewitness Testimony? (30 min)

Examine wrongful convictions and reforms in eyewitness identification.

14: The Truth behind False Confessions (31 min)

Learn how interrogation methods can lead to false confessions.

15: Crooked Cops and Bad Convictions (31 min)

Study cases of police corruption and forensic justice.

16: Guilty until Proven Innocent (32 min)

Review forensic lab errors and their devastating consequences.

17: Political Assassinations (31 min)

Analyze forensic evidence in assassinations like Yasser Arafat’s death.

18: Mysteries of the Romanov Family (30 min)

Investigate the Romanov murders and forensic identification of remains.

19: Forensics of Genocide (30 min)

Explore how forensic science uncovers evidence of genocide.

20: The Nazis and the Witch of Buchenwald (31 min)

Examine forensic evidence from Nazi concentration camps.

21: The Spies Have It (31 min)

Learn how forensic methods exposed spies like Mata Hari and Robert Hanssen.

22: Motive and Kidnapping (31 min)

Study kidnapping cases, including the 1972 Munich Olympics attack.

23: Identification Matters (30 min)

Review cold cases and advancements in forensic identification.

24: The Past, Present, and Future of Forensics (33 min)

Reflect on forensic tools revolutionizing crime-solving.