Sand Diego, Ca - Popular television shows and movies about crime scene technicians and forensics have been accused of distorting public perception with misinformation. What do Hollywood and television get wrong about crime labs and crime scene technicians? This topic is thoroughly explored in a new podcast featuring veteran Crime Lab Forensic Fingerprint Technician, Rachelle Babler.
Rachelle Babler, who brings over 18 years of experience from her time with the San Diego Police Department, sheds light on the real world of forensic science. Her career began in public service as an EMS before transitioning to a crime lab technician role at a smaller agency, eventually moving to the larger San Diego PD. Now, Rachelle shares her insights and the truth about her profession in the podcast titled, "Are Television Shows Unrealistic? Solving Real Violent Crimes with Fingerprint Analysis."
One of the key cases Rachelle discusses is the infamous Danielle van Dam case, a tragic event that gripped San Diego, California. Danielle, a young girl, disappeared from her bedroom during the night of February 1–2, 2002. Her body was discovered nearly a month later in a remote area. Police arrested and convicted a neighbor for kidnapping and first-degree murder, and he is currently on death row at San Quentin State Prison.
On the night of Danielle's disappearance, her mother Brenda was out with friends while her father stayed home with Danielle and her two brothers. After putting Danielle to bed, her father noticed an alarm light flashing and found the sliding glass door open. He closed the door, but the next morning, Danielle was missing, prompting a massive search effort involving hundreds of volunteers. Her partially decomposed body was found near a trail on February 27. Detectives discovered traces of Danielle's blood in the suspect's motor home, leading to his arrest and conviction based on fingerprint evidence among other forensic details.
The suspect, a divorced father of two, lived two houses away from the van Dams. He had interacted with Danielle and Brenda just days before her disappearance, inviting them into his home while they sold Girl Scout Cookies. Law enforcement placed him under surveillance on February 4, noting his unusual behavior, including the thorough cleaning of his RV. His motorhome, SUV, and other property were impounded on February 5. A fingerprint belonging to Danielle was crucial in his arrest and prosecution.
This horrific crime is remembered by many San Diegans, with the Danielle van Dam memorial overpass on Interstate 8 at 2nd Street in El Cajon serving as a somber reminder.
At trial, Prosecutor Jeff Dusek presented convincing forensic evidence, including Danielle’s blood on the suspect's jacket and inside his motor home, along with hair, fingerprints, and fibers on the girl's body. Rachelle also delves into the "AM Series Sex Crime Case," where the perpetrator was identified through latent fingerprint examination. She contrasts her real-life crime lab experiences with the often misleading narratives portrayed by Hollywood.
Television shows have captivated audiences with their portrayal of forensic science, but how accurate are they? Rachelle Babler reveals that the number of people and hours involved in solving real crimes is often underestimated on screen.
Join us as we uncover the truth behind forensics and crime scene investigation, and explore how the media's portrayal often diverges from the reality faced by professionals in the field. Listen to the full discussion on "Are Television Shows Unrealistic? Solving Real Violent Crimes with Fingerprint Analysis," available for free on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, our website, or most major podcast platforms.
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