Forensic files watched ones

Janice Johnson was found dead at the foot of her basement stairs. Police in Nova Scotia had to unravel the circumstances surrounding Janice's death and answer the question: Was it an accident... or murder? Different authorities rule both ways, and it takes years - and a astonishingly unique recreation of the death - before justice is finally done.

In 1996, more than a dozen children in Seattle, Washington, were fighting for their lives. Each one of them had contracted a serious illness, and no one knew what it was. When one of the children died, investigators knew the clock was ticking... and they needed to isolate the cause and find the cure before time ran out. Epidemiologists and other scientists find all the victims contracted the same strain of bacteria... but how?

New evidence points to a different killer in the case of a dentist's murdered wife.

In 1991, Maine resident Pearl Smith is missing after an argument with her husband. Despite pleas from her children, police treat it as a routine missing person's case. But, when an investigation turns up a blood trail that leads to the couple's basement, police are certain they'll finally find the victim's body. Originally aired as Season 6, Episode 2.

An evening out at a Maryland murder mystery theatre performance turns into a real life whodunit when the badly burned body of Stephen Hricko is found in his hotel room after a fire. Lies, greed and medical trickery can't match the skills of forensic scientists, who pull the curtain down on the real killer. Originally aired as Season 6, Episode 12.

Michigan resident Shannon Mohr died tragically in what was reported by her new husband, David Davis, as a horseback riding accident. Upon deeper investigation, police found a thread of lies and a proficiency with pharmaceuticals in Davis' background that provided a different explanation for Shannon's accidental death. Originally aired as Season 6, Episode 13.

When a woman went missing, friends and family were determined to find her. Their worst fears were confirmed weeks later when her body was discovered. Blood evidence and computer forensics helped investigators to catch the killer, and convince the jury of his guilt. Originally aired as Season 11, Episode 17.

A skeleton found in the woods behind a rented home in Wilmington, North Carolina is matched to a missing person using a free photo editing application.

When a security guard disappeared from work without a trace, investigators couldn't determine if he left willingly or if foul play was involved. But homicide was confirmed when the body was found 19 months later. Without any substantial evidence or leads the case went cold. 14 years later, a cold case investigator solved the case after finding crucial evidence hidden beneath the victim's sole.

When a man's body is found burned in a parking lot, investigators use tire track impressions and security camera video to find the killer.

When Joann Katrinak is found dead with her infant son Alex next to her, the obvious suspect is the husband and father of the victims. But some insects found on the bodies reveal a vital clue, as does a blonde hair found on the victims which shares a commonality with the brunette hair of the husband's former love interest. Originally aired as Season 5, Episode 3.

A decomposed body is found stuffed in a barrel -- but the body had been placed in the barrel 30 years earlier. One of the few clues was an address book found along with the body, however, years of moisture had washed away the ink. Scientists desperately searched for a way to reveal the information written on the pages of the address book. Originally aired as Season 5, Episode 4.

Investigators look into what is making a family unwell.

A 33-year old woman meets, falls in love with, and marries a successful young doctor, but an unusual amount of discomfort during her pregnancy arouses her suspicions, prompting a personal investigation that culminates in a startling revelation.

The 1984 Rajneeshee bioterror attack: Investigators uncover a plot to overthrow the government, after a unique strain of salmonella makes people ill. Originally aired as Season 7, Episode 8.

When Russ Stager, a popular gym teacher, is found dead of what appears to be an accidental gunshot wound, his family becomes suspicious. They think his wife may have planned his murder. When police find that her previous husband died in questionable circumstances, they re-examine the crime scene and uncover evidence that the death was no accident. Originally aired as Season 5, Episode 16.

In 1996, seventeen month-old Josh Hinson died in a fire in his home. A federal agency ruled that it was arson and Josh's mother Terri Strickland was charged with murder. An independent fire investigator was able to poke enough holes in the government's scientific conclusions to ask serious questions about whether the fire was intentionally set. Originally aired as Season 6, Episode 6.

In 1981, New York correctional officer Donna Payant disappeared and was later found in a landfill. The medical examiner not only identified the cause of death, but also found an important clue. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that a prison inmate might be responsible. Originally aired as Season 6, Episode 24.

Just weeks before a witness is to testify against the man accused of sexually assaulting her, she is murdered in the front yard of her own home. Investigators immediately suspect her attacker, but they don't have enough evidence to prove his guilt. It would take fifteen years, and the remarkable advances in forensic science and DNA testing which occurred during that time, to enable police to nail the killer.

When a Texas man is found dead in his fire-damaged San Antonio apartment, police discover fiber evidence that leads to a killer who entered and exited the apartment through a ceiling.

The 1984 murder of a college student, Laura Salmon, seems to have plenty of suspects, but nothing which solidly links any of them to the crime. After a decade now, this cold case has a breath of new life.