Mar 25 2020
Ideas for Passing the Time When You’re Stuck at Home
As the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic continues to spread, many of us find ourselves spending more time at home and wondering how to keep both ourselves and our children entertained. While it’s great to get outside, Spring weather can be unpredictable, so it’s good to have a back-up plan.
The good news? We’ve got you covered! Read on for some forensic science related things you can do while socially distancing.
Written by: Tara Luther, Promega
Podcasts:
If you’ve never before gotten hooked on a podcast series, now is a great time to take a listen! True Crime Forensics lists their favorite podcasts based on how well researched they are, how engaging the presenters are, and their unique take on events (what they call the ‘hook’).
Here are some of their favorites:
Paige St. John details the crimes of The Golden State Killer, how he escaped justice for so long, and the clues the finally sent him to prison. This is a great podcast for those who enjoyed Michelle McNamara’s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark.
Journalist Justin Ling shares the story of the men who had been disappearing from Toronto’s Gay Village. For years, occupants worried that a serial killer had been targeting them, but their fears were ignored by police. In 2018, Bruce McArthur was arrested for the murder of eight men, leading to the re-opening of two dozen cold cases dating back to 1975.
An internet radio show and website “covering the dark underworld of crime and the criminal justice system’s response to it”. Told from a narrator’s point of view, the podcast gives listeners the whole story and covers a range of cases.
Claiming to be THE podcast for the true crime addict, they specialize in the weird and unusual true crime themes each week.
Not on their list, but worth mentioning is a podcast designed specifically for forensic scientists, called Mental Agility for Forensic Scientists. Created in conjunction with the Midwestern Association of Forensic Scientists (MAFS), this podcast aims to provide resources for the specific stressors experienced by forensic practitioners.
Streaming True Crime:
If podcasts aren’t your thing, and you’d prefer to binge your way through the pandemic, Netflix has you covered. Good Housekeeping put together a list of 23 true crime documentaries that you can stream this weekend. Here are a few of them.
Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez
This documentary uses court room footage, phone calls, and interviews to show how the former New England Patriots player went from star football player to a convicted killer.
The Confession Killer
Henry Lee Lucas was sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted of 11 homicides. Strangely, he confessed to hundreds more that he didn’t commit in the days leading up to his conviction. In exchange for his cooperation, authorities gave him preferential treatment, until they learned of his lies.
Abducted in Plain Sight
Who can you trust? 12 year-old Jan Broberg was kidnapped and brainwashed by a close family friend. This series shares the case from the perspective of Jan and her parents.
Long Shot
How do you prove that you were one of 56,000 people at a Dodger’s game? If you’re arrested for a murder that you didn’t commit, you do anything you can to find a way.
Try Your Hand at Solving Crime
Have you or your family members ever wanted to play the role of detective? Here are two ways to prove you’ve got what it takes.
First, take a virtual tour through the specialized laboratories at the Centre for Forensic Research at Simon Frasier University in Canada, where scientists and police explain and demonstrate the science behind forensics. Then, use these skills to try solving a case.
Or, take your skills offline and help Private Investigator Michelle Gray solve a cold case with the help of your family with the Hunt a Killer subscription boxes. Each month, a new box of clues will be delivered to your door that get you one step closer to revealing the murderer.
Do you have other suggestions for how to pass the time? Share them in the comments on our social media channels!
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