THE FIRST 48: At Close Range/Murder in Motor City
About The Programme
When Phoenix homicide Detective Tom Kulesa realises a potential witness to a double murder has gone missing, he must race against time to stop another vicious killing. In Detroit, Sergeant Jo Ann Kinney must turn to forensics to solve the murder of a man found dead in a brand-new Cadillac Escalade.
In a visual style that feels more like a TV drama, The First 48 follows homicide detectives during these initial critical hours as they race against time to solve their cases.
The hour-long programme follows various detectives of a few select homicide teams as they track breaking cases - each with a running clock that builds pace as the 48 hours inexorably expires.
The First 48
For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they’re called. Their chance of solving a murder is cut in half if they do not get a lead in the first 48 hours after the killing has taken place. The first step in finding a killer is always to identify the victim and find out who reported the crime. Sometimes the person who made the emergency call can provide invaluable clues.
Evidence is of vital importance and nothing is removed from the scene of the crime until police have enough material to continue their investigation. Often, when the victim is identified, family and friends are able to provide the police with insight into who may have committed the crime.
As time ticks by, the police are less and less likely to find the killer. The first two days are vital for making progress in investigations, and once they find their lead, police work night and day until the murderer is found.
Quantico
Many FBI agents are trained on the United States Marine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia. The facility which opened in the summer of 1972 is situated on 385 acres of land.
It provides the security, privacy and safe environment necessary to carry out the diverse training and operations functions for which the FBI is responsible. The Drug Enforcement Administration also has their training academy at Quantico.
The FBI Academy
On July 26, 2004, the Federal Bureau of Investigation celebrated 96 years of public service. On that day in the year 1908, Attorney General Charles Bonaparte ordered nine newly hired detectives, 13 civil rights investigators, and 12 accountants to take on investigative assignments in areas such as antitrust, and land fraud. 96 years later, that small group of 34 investigators has grown into a force of over 28,000 employees.
Vision: “To be the premier law enforcement learning and research centre and an advocate for law enforcement’s best methodologies and practises worldwide.”
Mission:“To lead and inspire through excellence in training and research. To influence change and forge partnerships that ensure the safety and security of the citizens of the United States and around the world.”