In February 2001, Patricia Viola disappeared from her home in Bogota, New Jersey without her purse, medication, or any indication of where she was going. More than a decade later, DNA testing on a severed foot found on a Queens beach provided one answer but left investigators with even more questions.

The Murder of Rachel Nickell (Archive)

Not all stories have happy endings...

Hosted by Courtney Fretwell, M.S. in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Tales is a weekly true crime podcast with a forensic twist. Each episode features real cases and explores how forensic science, criminal profiling, and investigative techniques were used to uncover the truth—or, in some cases, left more questions than answers.

From fingerprint analysis and DNA evidence to bloodstain pattern analysis and behavioral profiling, every episode breaks down the science behind the headlines. Whether it's a solved murder, a cold case, or a controversial investigation, Forensic Tales takes you beyond the crime scene and into the forensic evidence that shaped the case.