The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. The trials resulted in the executions of twenty people, fourteen of them women, and all but one by hanging. Five others, including two infant children, died in prison. During this time, the community in Salem Village, which is now Danvers, Massachusetts, was gripped by a combination of religious fervor and fear. The Puritans believed in the existence of witches and saw them as agents of the devil. The accusations of witchcraft started when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by witches and accused other members of the community of practicing witchcraft.

Here's Who Plays the Dead Bodies on Forensic Files

Have you ever been watching a true crime show and found yourself wondering who they paid to lay in a pool of blood all day for those dramatic murder reenactments? Was it an actor who was just looking for an IMDB credit or did the director just put a P.A. in a wig and call it a day?

In the case of Forensic Files, which ran from 1996-2011, it turns out the dead bodies -- and crime scene re-enactors in general -- are played by various employees of the network.

"I could say very proudly that all those people are employees of CNN and HLN," Nancy Duffy, Senior Vice President of Development at CNN told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour while promoting Forensic Files II. "They are producers and senior producers. People that work in the building will come up to me and say, 'I could be killed, I could be dead! I could kill someone!' . You would be surprised how excited people are to be killing or hiding or kidnapping, or tying up -- we actually had a producer agree to be bound and tossed off a boat into the water."

Talk about dedication to the job! Though honestly if you had the chance to be on TV in a role you couldn't possibly screw up, can you honestly say you wouldn't be the first one to volunteer as tribute?

Forensic Files II will premiere in February 2020 on HLN.

(Disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of ViacomCBS.)

Forensic Files II

Forensic Files: The Magic Bullet - S01E02

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This bundle contains the viewing guides for episodes 1-13 of Forensic Files. The guides follow the sequence of events in the video and include fill-in-the-blank style questions. I designed these to keep students on task and focused on the plot and forensic information presented in the episodes. A

This will be a perpetually growing bundle of everything from the Forensics section of our store! Please note that the earlier you purchase this bundle, the more you'll save in the long run as the cost will increase as we continue to add products!The resources are based on Bertino Forensics 2nd Ed.

Description

Episode description - "A fifteen-year-old boy died from a mysterious gunshot wound to his head while he was sitting in the lobby of his father’s gun club. Ballistics, laser technology, made-to-scale models and the latest in forensic animation showed that bullet had followed a tragic course after a misfire at the outdoor range."

I've created this detailed video guide to keep students on task while watching the episode. Questions follow in order of the video, and include fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. An answer key is included and the YouTube video link is also in the document.

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Ep 97. The Magic Bullet

The episode titled "The Magic Bullet" in season 1 of Forensic Files is a fascinating look into the world of forensic science and ballistics investigation. This episode delves into the mysterious death of a prominent businessman named Gregory Allen. Allen died after being shot in the head, and the police have no suspects or leads in the case.

The investigation into Allen's death begins with the discovery of a single bullet casing at the scene of the crime. Forensic experts are brought in to analyze the evidence and determine what type of gun was used in the shooting. The bullet casing leads investigators to believe that a small-caliber handgun was used in the crime.

Ballistics experts are called in to further examine the bullet casing. They use state-of-the-art techniques to match the casing to a particular type of gun. This leads investigators to a suspect, a man named Jeffrey Briley. Briley has a history of violent crime, and the evidence against him is strong.

Investigators also use forensic evidence to place Briley at the scene of the crime. They recover microscopic pieces of evidence from the gun that was used in the shooting. These tiny fragments are then analyzed in a lab, where they are matched to paint chips found at the scene of the crime.

The evidence against Briley is overwhelming, and he is eventually convicted of Allen's murder. However, the case takes an interesting turn when a new piece of evidence comes to light. A witness comes forward, claiming to have seen a second person at the scene of the crime. This new evidence casts doubt on Briley's guilt and leads investigators back to square one.

Despite this setback, investigators continue to examine the evidence and use advanced forensic techniques to gather more information about the case. They focus on the bullet itself, which has several unique characteristics that can help identify the gun that fired it.

The bullet is eventually matched to a gun owned by a second suspect, a man named Roy Krug. Krug has a history of gun violence, and he is quickly brought in for questioning. After an intensive interrogation, Krug confesses to the crime and is charged with Allen's murder.

The case of Gregory Allen's death is a fascinating study in the power of forensic science and ballistics investigation. Through painstaking analysis of the evidence, investigators are able to identify a suspect and eventually solve the case. The use of advanced forensic techniques, such as the analysis of microscopic evidence and ballistics testing, is critical to the success of the investigation.

Overall, "The Magic Bullet" is a captivating episode that highlights the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations. It shows how even the tiniest pieces of evidence can be used to crack a case and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

The accusations of witchcraft started when a group of young girls claimed to be possessed by witches and accused other members of the community of practicing witchcraft. The accused were mostly women, and this can be attributed to the patriarchal society at the time and the perception that women were more susceptible to evil. The trials were marked by panic and hysteria, with people making wild accusations and rumors spreading like wildfire.

The court proceedings were flawed, with coerced confessions and insufficient evidence being used to convict people of witchcraft. The Salem witch trials had a significant impact on the community and continue to be studied and analyzed to this day. The trials exposed the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of irrational fear. They also highlighted the power of conformity and the dangers of unchecked authority. In 1693, the colonial government admitted that the trials were a mistake, and the affected families were compensated. However, the damage had already been done, leaving a scar on the history of Salem and a reminder of the dark side of human nature. The Salem witch trials serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of intolerance, prejudice, and the abuse of power. They remind us of the importance of fairness, due process, and the presumption of innocence in the criminal justice system. It is a reminder that we must be vigilant in defending individual rights and not allow fear and hysteria to dictate our actions..

Reviews for "Salem Witch Trials: Lessons from a Witch-Hunting Hysteria"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Salem witch company". The plot was confusing and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The pacing was also off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, it felt like a missed opportunity to explore the fascinating history of the Salem witch trials.

2. Sarah - 1/5 - I found "Salem witch company" to be quite dull and uninteresting. The dialogue was stiff and the acting felt forced. The special effects were also lacking, making the supernatural elements feel cheesy instead of eerie. I had high hopes for this movie, but it fell flat in almost every aspect. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping and engaging witchcraft-themed film.

3. Alex - 2/5 - "Salem witch company" was a disappointment for me. The story felt predictable and cliché, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The historical aspect of the Salem witch trials was largely ignored, which was a missed opportunity to explore a fascinating period of American history. Overall, the film felt uninspired and forgettable.

4. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Salem witch company", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow and there were many scenes that felt unnecessary and dragged on. The performances were mediocre at best, with the actors failing to bring depth to their characters. The plot itself was convoluted and lacked coherence, leaving me confused and unengaged. It's a shame because the Salem witch trials are such an intriguing subject, but this film failed to do justice to the historical context.

5. Mark - 1/5 - "Salem witch company" was a complete waste of time for me. The acting was laughably bad, with over-the-top performances that were more comical than serious. The storyline was weak and lacked any real substance, making it hard to invest in what was happening on the screen. The film also failed to create any real tension or suspense, despite its supernatural theme. Overall, it was a forgettable and poorly executed attempt at a witchcraft-themed movie.

Witchcraft Beliefs in 17th Century Salem