Forensic Friday

In this quick informational mini, we discuss the laws in Colorado (and other states) requiring law enforcement to make an arrest in any domestic violence call, as well as the criteria they must use to determine who should be taken in. We talk about the difference between primary aggressor at the scene and predominant aggressor in the relationship, and how these criteria should have been applied in...

What do you do with a killer in your family? Our special guest gives us the inside scoop! In 2020, the murder of 24-year-old Alyssa Burkett shocked Carrollton, Texas. While her ex-boyfriend, Andrew Beard, pulled the trigger, he wasn't acting alone. This episode explores the role of Holly Ann Elkins, the fiancée who spent months meticulously destroying Alyssa’s life. From planting drugs and gu...

Why do women tend to commit less violent crimes, against others or themselves? Why do they use guns less, and use proxies more? Tune in a for a slightly unhinged and meandering discussion ahead of a special episode this Friday Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinio...

In this case, we talk about the Carpool Detectives, a group of moms with a special set of skills who decided to take on a cold case and prove that the deaths of two members of the community were not accidental. Their unique knowledge was enough to prove to law enforcement that the case should be reclassified as suspicious. But how can the true crime community approach these types of cases? And how...

It's time for a year-end wrap up episode! We share some of our stats for the year and talk about our favorite episodes and moments of 2025. Listen in to reminisce with us about the year gone by and hear a little about the exciting things we have planned for next year! Thank you to all our forensic friends! Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Nat...

We talk about the recent deaths of Rob and Michele Reiner and the subsequent arrest of their son, Nick, in connection with the deaths. We talk about the difficulty in identifying the root cause of aggressive or antisocial behavior when both mental health and substance issues are in play. And we share our hearts for this pair of talented entertainers and their incredible body of work. Ad for Southe...

In this episode, we break down the vital distinction between helping (doing something for someone that they cannot do for themselves) and enabling (doing something for someone that they can and should do for themselves). We discuss how enabling often stems from a place of love but results in a lack of accountability, and we provide a roadmap for shifting toward empowering support that encourages i...

Y'all, this case is close to Jeannine's heart. We discuss the latest case to rock the college football world, the stalking and dangerous behavior perpetrated (allegedly?) by Sherrone Moore, the now former head football coach at the University of Michigan. We can't talk about accountability without calling out that it needs to be upheld universally, even (and especially) when it affe...

Let’s talk about responsibility, accountability, and the link between the two. What does accountability mean, and what does it actually look like?  Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sourced information. Any case information and opinions are based on records in the public domain and are purely speculative in nature. Their comments are not meant to diagno...

In this episode we talk about the case of Brandon Johnson, a serial liar, manipulator, and abuser of women. He spent decades victimizing intimate partners in increasingly awful ways, until two brave exes worked to bring him down. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sou...

It’s the case that launched a thousand theories. Today, we revisit the tragic death of Kathleen Peterson and the murder conviction of her husband, Michael Peterson, as explored in The Staircase. We analyze the ambiguities that permeate every aspect of the case—from the blood evidence to the couple's finances—and the bitter disagreements among professionals. Our main focus, however, is the wil...

The holidays are often filled with joy, and sometimes, stress. In this mini-episode, we cut through the confusion and clearly define the difference between boundaries and expectations. We’ll explain why boundaries are about self-care and what you will allow (things you can control), while expectations are about what others should do (things you can’t control). Tune in for simple, actionable tips o...

On September 21, 1996, 15-year-old Danielle 'Danni' Houchins disappeared from a fishing access site in Montana. This episode details the initial investigation's failures, which initially ruled her death 'undetermined' despite evidence of violence. We explore the decades-long fight for justice by Danni's family and dive into the modern forensic miracle: how advanced DN...

Self care is important. But what happens when it becomes a crutch? In this episode, we talk about lighter fare including some popular self care activities and what it looks like when our coping skills become maladaptive, causing more harm than good. Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax practice management software Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commenta...

In 2006, the Duke University men's lacrosse team was at the center of a scandal after a dancer falsely accused three players of sexual assault. This episode walks through the chronology of the Duke Hoax: from the initial, explosive accusation that ignited a national debate, to the growing realization that evidence pointed to the players' innocence. We highlight the actions of former DA M...

In this episode, Jeannine shares a deeply personal story of being assaulted on campus when she was a college student, and the shocking recent discovery that her attacker attempted a similar offense against someone close to her years later. We discuss the documentary The Hunting Grounds and how schools bury these crimes and how the culture of secrecy and victim-blaming enables repeat offenders to r...

Daniel Krug wasn't just Kristil Krug's husband, he was her stalker and killer. In this episode, we unpack the elaborate and cruel pre-meditation that led to Kristil’s death, focusing on how her husband acted as a 'puppet master,' attempting to throw investigators off the trail by creating a fake threat. We discuss the red flags in the Krug marriage and the crucial lesson this c...

Do you know how to safely intervene when you see harassment, abuse, or potential violence? This mini-episode is a quick guide to the highly effective Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training. Green Dot operates on the principle that violence is not inevitable, and every person can contribute to prevention. We'll share actionable strategies for intervening while prioritizing your own safety,...

This week, we explore the disturbing case of Kylie Bearse, a well-known Denver meteorologist who was relentlessly stalked. We examine the evolution of the stalking, the impact it had on her life, and the behavioral profile of her pursuer. The core of this episode focuses on empowerment: we provide essential self-advocacy tips for anyone experiencing stalking, emphasizing documentation, communicati...

It's a hard time for a lot of folks right now, and we want to give you some tips to help get through these stressful times, as well as some resources you may not have thought of that can help with your metal, financial, and physical wellbeing. As always, reach out if you need extra support and stay safe and sane forensic friends Ad for Southeast Counseling in Parker, CO Ad for Reliatrax pract...

In this gripping episode of Forensic Friday , we sit down with survivor and advocate @gracee_elizabethh host of @whyshestayedpodcast to shed light on the hidden tactics of domestic abusers — and the extraordinary courage it takes to break free. Grace opens up about: How the relationship began with charm, intensity, and “you’re my everything” The subtle red flags that escalated into full-scale cont...

Why do people stay in relationships that hurt them? This mini-episode explains the powerful psychological concept of Trauma Bonding—a dynamic often mistaken for love, where cycles of abuse and affection create an intense, addictive attachment. We clearly define this pattern and compare it to other maladaptive relationship styles, including dependent and codependent attachment. Finally, we discuss...

We examine the horrific true story at the heart of the documentary Into the Fire: The Lost Daughter. The series reveals the tragedy of Aundria Bowman, who disappeared after enduring years of alleged abuse by her adoptive father, Dennis Bowman, which was largely ignored by authorities. We discuss the shocking details of Dennis Bowman's history, how his arrest in an unrelated cold case ultimate...

On Wednesday August 15th, Roam the police k9 was stabbed during the police response to a domestic violence call. He was treated and is expected to make a full recovery, but it got us thinking about our animal companions. Listen in as we talk a little about our furry friends, and tell us about yours in the comments. Support the show Disclaimer: Jeannine and Natalie are commentators on publicly sour...

Welcome back to part 2 of our discussion on the Chris Watts case. We discuss the follow up interviews by the incredible investigative team working the case, and try to unravel the big question of whether the psychopathy diagnosis fits the man behind the murders or whether there's a different set of labels that make more sense. Sound off in the comments whether you agree with our final assessm...