Sony Pixel Power calrec Sony

True crime meets forensic science: New podcast investigates some of the oldest cold cases in North Carolina

24/06/2022

Episodes one and two of CBC's new What Remains Podcast came out on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. One new episode will drop each week after this. The series shares the story of the people behind cold cases who are passionate about connecting unidentified remains to the missing and murdered:

By Amanda Lamb, WRAL reporter

If you grew up in the 1980s, you probably remember the missing children's photos on milk cartons. For most of us, that was our first introduction to the world of missing people. The idea was started by a nonprofit called the National Child Safety Council, and by the mid-eighties, hundreds of dairies were taking part in the Missing Children Milk Carton Program. I remember seeing those sad photos and thinking, Why can't they find her?

Of course, back then, no one could have imagined a world where everything would eventually be shared on a computer, or even a phone, through the magic of the internet. Today, this is where you can find information about missing children and adults, on hundreds of websites. And while there is still a lot of attention paid to the cases of people who are missing, there's another side to this crisis; there are thousands of cases of unidentified remains in our country that no one seems to be able to match with the cases of missing and murdered people.

The bones in the boxes There are human bones in boxes at every state medical examiner's office in the country - just sitting there, forgotten, dusty, the epitome of what we think of as cold cases. So, we started thinking about what it would take to identify all these remains. That's what this podcast is about - what those bones represent - to the families, to the investigators, to the forensic scientists, and what they intend to do about them.

Frankly, it seems hard to believe in this day and age that we don't have some kind of formal scientific process that can help us simply match a dead person with a missing person. But there's a lot more to it than you might imagine. It's not that people don't care, it's just that in a world where violent crime happens every single day, identifying decades' old remains just isn't a priority. It takes a lot of perseverance to see these cases through, and most of all, it takes time and money.

The team committed to solving the oldest cold cases What I learned from interviewing people, researching and writing this podcast, is that despite all this, there is this niche group of people who are working to make it happen. They employ science, the latest technology and forensic genealogy. It can be a long and tedious process, but they are patient, so patient. Their motives are often twofold - they care deeply about helping families come to some kind of resolution, and they hope there's a chance they can find justice for the murder victims. It doesn't always work out that way, but in the end, most families just want to know what happened to their loved ones after years of not knowing.

True crime meets forensic science I have covered crime as a local television reporter for three decades. I thought I knew everything there was to know about investigating murder cases.

Boy, was I wrong.

Covering this topic took me down so many fascinating rabbit holes that I will never forget, and I'm pretty sure you won't either. From the anthropologist who has a wall full of potential murder weapons in her lab and metal tables full of unidentified skeletons, to family members and detectives who will go to any lengths to learn the stories behind the discarded bones, to the scientists who study decomposition on a body farm, What Remains is a journey into a world most of us can't imagine, don't want to imagine, but is an unfortunate reality for thousands of families.

Follow What Remains in your podcast player so you don't miss an episode.

Thanks to WRAL-TV's Amanda Lamb & WRAL.com for this Capcom story, graphic & video.
LINK: https://capitolbroadcasting.com/2022/06/24/true-crime-meets-forensic-s...
See more stories from cbc

More from WRAL-TV

01/07/2025

Heather Gray Named Vice President and General Manager of WRAL and FOX 50

Historic appointment ushers in unified leadership for WRAL-TV, New Media, and Digital Solutions RALEIGH, N.C. - 6-27-25 - Capitol Broadcasting Company is prou...

25/06/2025

CBC Real Estate Greenlit for Overlook on Main' Mixed-Use Development in Holly Springs

CBC Real Estate, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company (CBC), announced tod...

30/05/2025

American Underground Returns to American Tobacco Campus

American Underground Returns to American Tobacco Campus A full-circle homecoming for Durham's leading coworking community Durham, N.C. (May 29, 2025) - In ...

09/05/2025

Warren Thomas Named Vice President and General Counsel of Capitol Broadcasting Company

Capitol Broadcasting Company welcomed Warren Thomas as the new Vice President an...

19/02/2025

Heather Gray Named Interim General Manager of WRAL-TV and FOX 50

Leadership change at Capitol Broadcasting Company's WRAL-TV/FOX 50 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. (CBC) today announced that longtime local media lea...

10/09/2024

New Beginnings for Fullsteam Brewery at American Tobacco Campus

New Beginnings for Fullsteam Brewery at American Tobacco Campus 9,000-square-foot taproom, set between iconic water tower and smokestack, promises a lively ne...

15/08/2024

American Tobacco's Fill That Bus School Supply Drive a Success

Beep! Beep! The school supply drive has come to a close, and American Tobacco is thrilled to announce its success! A busload of essential supplies is now ready ...

14/08/2024

The MilkShake Factory @ ATC is Open

The MilkShake Factory at American Tobacco is now open for business! The grand opening took place on Monday, August 12, 2024. The American Tobacco located will b...

13/08/2024

Bulls Return Home this Week with Two Fireworks Shows, State Fair Night, Soccer Night with the NC Courage on Tap

Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday with Tune Tuesday (Wool E.'s Version), Winning Wedn...

12/08/2024

Prestigious NAB Marconi Radio Award Nomination for MIX Mornings Team

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have named MIX Mornings with Kyle, Bryan and Sarah as a finalist for an NAB 2024 Marconi Award for Large Market P...

07/08/2024

North Carolina Courage to be Celebrated by Durham Bulls

A Triangle Crossover Collaboration At The DBAP On Sunday, August 18th The North Carolina Courage will be celebrated during the Durham Bulls home game on Sunday...

06/08/2024

WRAL-TV Unveils New Newsroom, Shrader Takes Viewers on Virtual Tour

WRAL-TV recently got an upgrade. The old newsroom has a new look! WRAL-TV Reporter Brian Shrader gave viewers a virtual tour for the grand opening....

31/07/2024

DBAP to Host All-American Women's Baseball Classic

October Event Showcases Elite Women's Baseball at Durham Bulls Athletic Park The Durham Bulls, in conjunction with the All-American Girls Professional Base...

30/07/2024

Harry Potter Nights, Princess & Pirates Night, Plus Two Fireworks Shows Headline Homestand vs Memphis

Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday with Tune Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Kids Run The Base...

29/07/2024

Duke Athletics and Capitol Broadcasting Announce Multi-Year Extension

Duke University Athletics and Learfield's Blue Devil Sports Properties have signed a multi-year extension with Capitol Broadcasting to continue as the long-...

26/07/2024

From Opening Ceremony to Daily Coverage: CBC and WRAL-TV are In the Zone for the Olympics

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are about to begin, and Capitol Broadcasting is rea...

25/07/2024

The Power House Artisan Market at Rocky Mount Mills on July 27

Get your shop on at Rocky Mount Mills on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at The Power House Artisan Market. Check out an amazing selection of handcrafted d cor, painti...

24/07/2024

Join the Yard Gnomes and Salamanders for Final Home Games of Season

Roll with the Gnomies The last week of the Greenville Yard Gnomes' inaugural season starts on Thursday, July 25, 2024, with Tallboy Thursday, featuring drin...

23/07/2024

Back to School Pack-A-Patrol Car School Supply Drive at Rocky Mount Mills This Wednesday

Rocky Mount Mills is partnering with the Rocky Mount Police Department with thei...

23/07/2024

Watch the 2024 Paris Olympics on WRAL-TV, Nightly Half-Hour Olympic Zone Special

The 2024 Paris Olympics kick off with the Opening Ceremonies this Friday, July 26, 2024. As an NBC affiliate, WRAL-TV is proud to broadcast the network's co...

22/07/2024

Editorial cartoonist Dennis Draughon honored with Green Eyeshade Award

The Green Eyeshade Awards, the nation's oldest regional journalism contest, recognized Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist Dennis Draugh...

19/07/2024

Christmas is Coming to Ting Park and Guy Stadium This Weekend

Only a Few More Chances to see the Salamanders and Yard Gnomes This Year The Holly Springs Salamanders have another big weekend coming up at Ting Park! Join t...

18/07/2024

WRAL-TV Reporter and Designer Come Together for Impactful Storytelling about Opioid Overdose

A recent WRAL-TV story brought together the best of virtual design and reporting...

17/07/2024

WRAL's Live After 5' summer concert series pushes start time back due to heat

The free Live After 5 summer concert series is adjusting its start time for it...

12/07/2024

American Underground Celebrates Pride & Juneteenth with Free, Public Learning Events

American Underground, Capitol Broadcasting's co-working community division, ...

11/07/2024

Salamanders, Yard Gnomes Offer Fun at the Ballparks This Weekend

The Bulls might be away, but the Salamanders and Yard Gnomes are playing at home this weekend! The Salamanders have another action-packed week at Ting Park, in...

10/07/2024

American Tobacco Touts Best of Durham 2024

Durham Magazine's 2024 Best of Durham list is out, and American Tobacco is celebrating multiple list makers! Check out this impressive list of ATC winners:...

09/07/2024

Duke Arts Concert Series Returns to American Tobacco for September, Celebrates Music Maker Foundation

The Duke Arts at American Tobacco series is returning this fall. The 2024 seaso...

03/07/2024

Have a Fun Fourth with CBC Baseball

It's possible to do a full tour of CBC's baseball teams over the 4th of July holiday! Start in Holly Springs or Durham and then swing by Greenville. Che...

02/07/2024

The Countdown is On: WRAL-TV's Liz McLaughlin Readies for Olympic Coverage from Paris

Now in the month of the Paris Summer Olympics, WRAL-TV is gearing up for coverag...

27/06/2024

A Full House for Recent Studio J Session for That Station

As one of the many value-addeds of 95.7 FM That Station, the music curators have touring musicians come in to sit down with That Station Program Director & Week...

25/06/2024

Bulls Return to Durham for Yellowstone Night, Marvel's Defenders of the Diamond, Two Fireworks Shows and One Dollar Hot Dogs

Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday with Tune Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Kids Run The Base...

24/06/2024

WRAL Legends in Conversation

Three WRAL-TV legends got together with a Triangle acting legend for a conversation in front of a crowd at the Carolina Country Club on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. ...

20/06/2024

Front Office U Features Greenville Yard Gnomes GM, Season Continues with Games This Weekend

General Manager of Capitol Broadcasting's newest baseball club, Minnesota na...

19/06/2024

Yoga Off East Finds New Home at American Tobacco Campus

Studio to Offer Infrared Heated Classes and Yoga for Kids in a Larger, Community-Focused Space Yoga Off East is thrilled to announce its expansion and relocati...

17/06/2024

That Station Launches Return of Artist Notes

That Station kicked off the summer 2024 edition of the Artist Notes concert series with Greg Humphreys (of Dillon Fence and Hobex) on Thursday, June 13, on NC S...

14/06/2024

Applications Being Accepted for 2024 WRAL Azalea Celebration

The 38th Annual WRAL Azalea Celebration is now accepting applications from non-profits for the 2024 plant giveaway. Sponsored by WRAL-TV, MIX 101.5 WRAL-FM, FOX...

14/06/2024

State of Golf Now Open at ATC

Tee up a fun golf at American Tobacco. State of Golf, Downtown Durham's premier golf & sports simulator lounge opened on June 11, 2024. Get inspired by US O...

13/06/2024

20 Years of American Tobacco! Join the Celebration

Twenty years-can you believe it? Two decades ago, the American Tobacco Campus began with the revival of the old tobacco warehouses that stood vacant in downtown...

11/06/2024

Bulls Host Charlotte with The Nine: African American Heritage Night, Father's Day Catch on the Field, Two Fireworks Shows, and More

Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday with Tune Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Dollar Dog Thursd...

10/06/2024

Nominations Open for HighSchoolOT Honors Spring Sports Awards

HighSchoolOT Honors is back for the 2023-24 school year, and it's time to nominate North Carolina's BEST high school athletes, coaches, teams and more. ...

07/06/2024

Summer Kick Off Sale at Rocky Mount Mills' River & Twine

Looking for the perfect gift for Dad, a staycation with the kids or checking off your summer bucket list? There is no better way to kick off the summer than a ...

05/06/2024

Transfer Co. Food Hall to host free screening of WRAL Documentary Unsafe: North Carolina Kids Dying' Tuesday

Ahead of a new WRAL Documentary airing Thursday, you can attend a free screening...

05/06/2024

Easy Targets: Gangs getting younger in NC

Airs Thursday, June 6 at 7:30pm The WRAL Documentary Unit investigates the growing gang problem in North Carolina in their latest documentary, Easy Targets: Ga...

04/06/2024

Bulls Host Braves Triple-A Squad with Pride Night, Bull Durham Night, Two Fireworks Shows, Meet the Team and More

Tacos & Tallboys Tuesday with Tune Tuesday, Winning Wednesday, Dollar Dog Thursd...

04/06/2024

99.9 The Fan Successes Celebrated by Inside Radio

Inside Radio chatted with 99.9 The Fan Program Director Paul Ihander last week, to highlight the growth 99.9 The Fan is seeing. Writer Rich Appel asked about hi...

03/06/2024

WRAL's Explorer Post 5 Expands to Holly Springs Salamanders for Second Year

Capitol Broadcasting's Explorer Post members are expanding their baseball broadcasting skills for a second year in a row. Students from WRAL's Post 5, ...

30/05/2024

That Station Launches New App, Website, Filled with Features, Music, Interviews and More

That Station's app and website just got a major upgrade. The station crew co...

29/05/2024

WRAL-TV's Shrader, Holland Talk Historic Hurricane Forecast on WRAL Daily Download

NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) issued a forecast las...