Chilling Chronicles: A Close Look at Cold Cases

Scene of the Crime

Take a fascinating deep dive into the dark world of forensic science and cold cases with author and podcast host Laurah Norton.

Fans of true crime shows like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, and Law and Order know that when it comes to “getting the bad guy” behind bars, your best chance of success boils down to the strength of your evidence and the forensic science used to obtain it. Beyond the silver screen, forensic science has been used for decades to help solve even the most tough-to-crack cases. In 2018 the accused Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, was finally apprehended after a decades-long investigation thanks to a very recent technique called forensic genealogy, which has since led to the closure of hundreds of cold cases, bringing long-awaited justice to victims and families alike. But when it comes to solving these incredibly difficult cases, forensic genealogy is just the tip of the iceberg, and many people have no idea just how far down that iceberg goes.

About Laurah Norton

Laurah Norton is the writer, principal researcher, and host of The Fall Line, a deeply researched podcast covering cold cases in the Southeast, and One Strange Thing, a show that looks at unexplainable stories from American news archives. Previously, she was a principal senior lecturer at Georgia State University, where she taught subjects like creative writing, podcasting, and literature. Norton has published short literary fiction and nonfiction since the mid 2000s, mostly in journals and anthologies. She is based in Atlanta, GA.

Copies of Laurah's book, Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless, will be available to purchase. Laurah will also be signing her books at the end of the program.

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