Work a cold case alongside investigator Sheryl “Mac” McCollum, Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute. Every week, Sheryl dives into her cold case files alongside accomplished guests to look for clues into unsolved murders, missing people, and more. This ain’t just a podcast but a war room. Sheryl opens her cold case files, her heart and her little black book! You will quickly realize Zone 7 is not a place but a lifestyle!
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1.31.25 CRU with Nancy Grace: Alexander Bros, Kohberger & Brittanee Drexel: Legal Loopholes, DNA Disputes & Crime Patterns
Season 38 · Episode 39
Friday, January 31, 2025 • Duration 30:27
In today’s CRU with Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum, Sheryl starts off with a legal question - can past victims testify even if their cases were dismissed due to the statute of limitations? Nancy and Sheryl break it down, touching on how the #MeToo movement has changed legal timelines. They shift to Bryan Kohberger’s defense challenging genetic genealogy evidence. Nancy explains why it likely won’t hold up in court. They give the latest on the Alexander brothers’ and a new suspect surrendering, and what that might mean for the case.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup
(0:10) Sheryl kicks off CRU immediately with a legal question regarding the Alexander Brothers’ Case
(1:00) Can past victims testify?
(2:00) #Metoo movement - could some statues be tolled in certain situations?
(5:00) The murder of Brittanee Drexel
(9:00) Alexander Brothers’ update
(13:00) Idaho murders - Kohberger’s DNA defense
(22:00) The defense’s attempt to discredit a surviving roommate in Kohberger case
(24:00) The latest on Laken Riley case
(28:00) Self-representation and ineffective counsel
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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor. She is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime- fighting digital platform that investigates breaking crime news, spreads awareness of missing people and shines a light on cold cases.
In addition, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, a daily show hosted by Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is downloadable as a podcast on all audio platforms - https://www.crimeonline.com/
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice.
Divorcing From The Mob | Andrea Giovino Leaves Nothing Unsaid
Season 75 · Episode 1
Wednesday, January 29, 2025 • Duration 43:11
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with Andrea Giovino, author of Divorce from the Mob, podcaster, and former member of the Mob. Andrea discusses life growing up in a large Brooklyn family entrenched in crime to becoming a loan shark in the mob and ultimately facing a RICO indictment. She opens up about her past, her relationship with John Gotti, life after crime, and her mission to help women break free from toxic relationships.
Andrea Giovino is a former mob member and loan shark, author of Divorce from the Mob, and host of the Andrea Giovino Podcast. Once deeply entrenched in organized crime, she was indicted under RICO but refused witness protection, later transforming her life through faith and advocacy.
(0:00) Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
(0:10) Sheryl introduces Andrea Giovino to the listeners
(1:00) Andrea gives a brief background of her upbringing and first crime
(2:30) Life in the Mob
(4:15) Facing RICO charges
(5:00) The culture of being in a mob - loyalty and brotherhood
(10:00) Transition and transformation post mob life
(10:40) “ I had to dig deep down like emotional surgery to understand who, who I was and why I chose the men I chose and why I chose the things I had chosen.”
(13:30) Reflecting on relationships
(20:00) Public validation from Mark Ryder
(23:30) Bar fight with John Gotti
(24:00) Reflecting on life’s journey
(25:00) Writing Divorced From Mob
(31:45) The real John Gotti
(36:30) Launching the podcast
12.13.24 CRU with Nancy Grace: The Mangione Case | A Heated Debate on Vigilante Justice
Season 38 · Episode 36
Friday, December 13, 2024 • Duration 35:07
Today Nancy Grace and Sheryl McCollum discuss the latest on the Luigi Mangione case. They explain the legal nuances of the charges against him, the premeditation and intent behind his actions, and the implications of his crimes on victims and society. Nancy and Sheryl also examine broader issues, such as the public's controversial support of Mangione, the legal distinctions between murder charges, and the growing concern over ghost guns.
Show Notes:
(0:00) Welcome! Nancy and Sheryl introduce this week’s crime roundup
(0:10) Sheryl introduces the updates on the Luigi Mangione case
(1:00) Public reaction and outrage
(3:00) Legal breakdown of murder 1 vs. murder 2
(8:00) Human trafficking and poaching routes
(9:30) Evidence and investigation details
(14:00) Connection to past infamous cases
(17:00) Family impact and emotional toll
(23:30) Ghost guns and legal implications
(30:00) Personal reflections and closing thoughts
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Nancy Grace is an outspoken, tireless advocate for victims’ rights and one of television's most respected legal analysts. Nancy Grace had a perfect conviction record during her decade as a prosecutor. She is the founder and publisher of CrimeOnline.com, a crime- fighting digital platform that investigates breaking crime news, spreads awareness of missing people and shines a light on cold cases.
In addition, Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, a daily show hosted by Grace, airs on SIRIUS XM’s Triumph Channel 111 and is downloadable as a podcast on all audio platforms - https://www.crimeonline.com/
The Art and Science of Forensic Facial Reconstruction | Joe Mullins
Season 7 · Episode 9
Wednesday, January 10, 2024 • Duration 49:34
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with forensic artist, Joe Mullins. Joe discusses how he uses his artistic talents to help law enforcement solve cold cases. He shares stories of bringing names and answers to families, challenges interpreting ancestry from skulls, memorable lessons from John Walsh, and the rewards of teaching forensic art.
Guest Bio and Links:
Joe Mullins is a forensic artist with 25 years of experience, particularly, in facial reconstruction for cold cases. Mullins has studied at the Savannah College of Art and Design and attended the FBI Academy. He works with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Listeners can learn more about his work at www.missingkids.org.
[15:10] Question: When do you start to see the face, meaning, when do you see the person looking back at you?
[17:30] Question: Why are lips so challenging for a sculptor?
[26:00] Question: Can you talk about some cases solved because of your efforts?
[35:30] - John Walsh to Joe Mullins
In the Courtroom with Joshua Schiffer | Unveiling the Heart of Criminal Defense
Season 28 · Episode 1
Wednesday, January 3, 2024 • Duration 38:01
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with Georgia criminal defense and injury attorney, Joshua Schiffer. Together they discuss his journey into law, perspectives on caring for clients, achieving work-life balance, insights on jury communication, and analysis of current cases like Delphi and Natalie Holloway. They explore effective trial strategies, mental health factors in criminal justice, and the importance of vulnerability and connection in legal proceedings.
Guest Bio and Links:
Joshua Schiffer is an attorney providing legal services covering Criminal Defense, Personal Injury. Listeners can learn more about Joshua Sschiffer at his website: https://chancoschiffer.com/
Show Notes:
[0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
[2:30] Sheryl introduces guest, Joshua Schiffer to the listeners
[4:00] Joshua's experience with the American legal system
[8:30] Importance of empathy in legal arguments
[12:00] “Caring is contagious.”
[17:00] Recidivism within the legal system
[19:00] Question: What is going on in Delphi?
[27:55] Contempt of court
[35:45] Joshua's views on justice and advocacy
[37:30] “As a peacemaker, the lawyer has the superior opportunity of being a good man.” -A.L
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, a Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
The Mind of a Killer | Insights with Aphrodite Jones
Season 27 · Episode 1
Wednesday, December 27, 2023 • Duration 45:40
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with Aphrodite Jones. Together they primarily discuss Jones' latest book, "Levi's Eyes," and explore chilling cases that reveal the disturbing nature of psychopaths. They also give insights into high-profile cases including OJ Simpson, JonBenét Ramsey, and Natalie Halloway.
Guest Bio:
Aphrodite Jones is a New York Times best-selling author who dissects bizarre murder cases and brings readers into the heart of crime. She is also the host of the hit TV show True Crime with Aphrodite Jones, which airs on Investigation Discovery and is available on Amazon Prime. Listeners can learn more about Aphrodite at her website: aphroditejones.com/, or on X @Aphrodite_Jones
[7:00] Insights into "Levi's Eyes" by Aphrodite Jones
LISK (Long Island Serial Killer) Panel 5 | Aphrodite Jones and Joshua Schiffer
Season 12 · Episode 5
Wednesday, December 20, 2023 • Duration 49:00
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with Aphrodite Jones and Joshua Schiffer. Together, they dive into the allegations linking former Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke to the Gilgo Beach murders. They discuss how Burke's history of sex crimes and deviancy connects him to prime suspect John Bittrolff, and examine the willful failures in the early days of the investigation.
Listen to previous episodes of the LISK case here:
[17:00] Discussion on the obligations of police to sex workers
[19:45] “No man's above the law. No woman's above the law. That's the great thing about this country. It's not a perfect system, but I haven't found one better.”
Zone 7 Legends: Detective Morris Nix and the Solved Cold Case of Debbie Lynn Randall
Season 7 · Episode 8
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 • Duration 35:58
On January 13, 1972, 9-year-old Debbie Randall was abducted and murdered after leaving a laundromat in Marietta, Georgia.
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with Detective Morris Nix about solving the 1972 cold case murder of 9-year-old Debbie Randall. They discuss the crime, investigation, DNA technology, and finally bringing justice after five decades.
Show Notes:
[0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum.
[1:55] Introduction of Debbie’s case
[2:50] Sheryl introduces Detective Morris Nix to the listeners
[5:30] The crime scene is explained
[13:30] Unusual components of the crime scene are discussed
[15:00] Discovering Debbie’s body
[20:00] Evidence collection and storage
[27:00] “This is the beginning of the end.”
[30:00] Following leads
[35:25] “Persistence is key. Keep pushing forward, even when things get tough.”
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.” Next, select the number of stars you’d like to leave. Please choose 5 stars! Using the text box which says “Title,” write a title for your review. Then in the text box, write the review itself. The review can be up to 300 words long, but doesn’t need to be much more than: “Love the show! Thanks!” or Once you’re done select “Send” in the upper right-hand corner.
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
JFK, Epstein, Floyd: The Role of Forensic Pathology in High-Profile Cases with Dr. Michael Baden
Season 7 · Episode 7
Wednesday, December 6, 2023 • Duration 39:39
In this episode of "Zone 7," Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, sits down with Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden.
Together, they discuss Dr. Baden’s journey from childhood, to internal medicine to becoming a forensic pathologist. Dr. Baden also talks about his role in cases like the Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations, George Floyd's case, and Jeffrey Epstein's death with a focus on the evolution of Forensic Pathology.
Show Notes:
[0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum
[1:40] Sheryl introduces the guest, Dr. Michael Baden to the listeners
[4:15] Question: What made you go into pathology and not work with live patients?
[8:25] “This is the place where death delights to help the living.”
[10:55] Dr. Baden discusses the autopsy process
[12:30] Question: How heavily do you rely, personally, on the police and detectives and the original police report and things like that?
[13:00] Discussion on excited delirium
[18:00] The iPhone has changed investigations forever
[19:44] Question: Can you talk a little bit about your involvement in studying both President Kennedy and Dr. King's assassinations?
[25:00] Question: How has your job changed your life or the way you live your life?
[33:00] Dr. Baden gives an overview of Jeffrey Epstein’s death
[39:15] “Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” -H
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.” Next, select the number of stars you’d like to leave. Please choose 5 stars! Using the text box which says “Title,” write a title for your review. Then in the text box, write the review itself. The review can be up to 300 words long, but doesn’t need to be much more than: “Love the show! Thanks!” or Once you’re done select “Send” in the upper right-hand corner.
America's Most Wanted: The Legacy of Adam Walsh and NCMEC with Callahan Walsh
Season 26 · Episode 1
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 • Duration 45:33
During a shopping trip to the Hollywood Mall in Florida on July 27, 1981, 6-year-old Adam Walsh's mother, Revé Walsh, left him at a kiosk with other boys playing Atari games, while she did some quick shopping.
When she returned, Adam and the other children had disappeared. Investigators later found the boy murdered, prompting his father, Jphn Walsh, to go on to become one of the nation's biggest advocates for catching criminals.
In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with Callahan Walsh about his work at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
They discuss several high-profile missing and exploited children cases, including Adam Walsh, Amber Hagerman, and the Delphi murders. Callahan also talks about prevention tips for parents, the NCMEC's services, and how to stay safe online.
Show Notes:
[0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum.
[3:10] Sheryl introduces guest, Callahan Walsh to the listeners
[6:00] Callahan shares a brief background of how he got to be a part of NCMEC
[10:00] Educating the public on how to help find missing children
[15:30] “32 million reports of suspected child sexual exploitation online came into the National Center through our cyber tip line in 2022 alone.”
[16:30] Question: Adam's case changed the way not only law enforcement but the way the public looks and investigates and deals with missing children's cases. Can you tell us how?
(42:30) ”Everybody's a gangster until a gangster walks in the room.” - J.G.
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice.
"People say closure. I don’t, I don’t like that word. I’m never, never going to forget my son. A better way to explain the service that the National Center is providing with these images is you’re providing answers to families because not knowing is a nightmare you can’t wake up from."
[45:30] Training and mentoring the next generation
[46:45] Take a moment to look at the current list of missing children at www.missingkids.org
[48:50] “At first, it was a bit eerie for the students as they unpacked the skull replicas. But about four days into the class, something changed. Students were no longer looking at a skull, a relatively abstract concept of a human, but a person.” -J.V
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you love the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review!
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org
[8:43] Question: Can you walk us through how you investigate a case?
[11:15] Questioning Carl’s alibi
[15:30] The suspicious window repair… took 17 nails
[18:30] Examination of criminal minds
[24:30] Question: Can we break down the insurance policy that Carl had on his wife?
[25:48] “That's what starts to make you wonder what was it he was going to do there that day in that fire in California. He got Levi out or Levi got out. Which is it? What did Levi see? What did Levi know? Why did Levi get killed? 17 years later, when he was 23 years old, all that is a thread that comes together.”
[30:30] Sheryl and Aphrodite discuss the car fire that took place
[37:45] Question: What are your most memorable cases?
[45:30] “The serial arsonist is the most difficult to apprehend. Because the evidence is burned up.”
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you love the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to iTunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.”
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award-winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, a Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students, and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org
[23:00] Details of Rex Huerman's internet searches
[27:00] Insights into the world of sexual deviance
[33:00] Police protection of Gilgo suspects
[42:30] "The historical analogy couldn’t be more clear. What’s the most famous worldwide serial killer of all time across all Western cultures? Jack the Ripper. And who did he target? Prostitutes."
[48:30] "Everything in the world is about sex except sex. Sex is about power." -O.W
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.” Next, select the number of stars you’d like to leave. Please choose 5 stars! Using the text box which says “Title,” write a title for your review. Then in the text box, write the review itself. The review can be up to 300 words long, but doesn’t need to be much more than: “Love the show! Thanks!” or Once you’re done select “Send” in the upper right-hand corner.
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org
Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org
[43:25] Public donations allow NCMEC to continue work. If you would like to help DONATE HERE
[45:06] “Not knowing where your child is at bedtime is a pretty hard thing to accept.” -R.W
Thanks for listening to another episode! If you’re loving the show and want to help grow the show, please head over to Itunes and leave a rating and review! How to Leave an Apple Podcast Review: First, Open the podcast app on your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Then, hit the “Search” tab at the bottom right-hand corner of the page and search for Zone 7. Select the podcast, scroll down to find the subheading “Ratings & Reviews”. and select “Write a Review.” Next, select the number of stars you’d like to leave. Please choose 5 stars! Using the text box which says “Title,” write a title for your review. Then in the text box, write the review itself. The review can be up to 300 words long, but doesn’t need to be much more than: “Love the show! Thanks!” or Once you’re done select “Send” in the upper right-hand corner.
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.
You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org
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