Sometimes the story is in the fabric, not the flesh—and in the right hands, clothing can speak volumes about a death investigation.

In this episode, Dr. Priya Banerjee collaborates with Sheryl McCollum to investigate how clothing can provide critical insights in death investigations. Starting from the initial scene to the autopsy table, they discuss how elements like stains, textures, scents, and damage can narrate a story that a body alone might not unveil.

Dr. Priya recounts real-life cases — ranging from waterlogged jeans encrusted with barnacles to clothes concealing trace evidence — and emphasizes the importance of context, culture, and condition in these investigations.

About the Hosts

Dr. Priya Banerjee, a board-certified forensic pathologist, has extensive expertise in death investigations, clinical forensics, and legal testimony. She graduated from Johns Hopkins and served as Rhode Island’s state medical examiner for over ten years, now managing a private forensic pathology practice. Her professional portfolio includes military fatalities, NSA cases, and high-profile investigations. Dr. Priya has appeared as a forensic expert on shows like CrimeOnline and Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She is passionate about education, loves animals, and is a proud mother.

Website: anchorforensicpathology.com

Twitter/X: @Autopsy_MD

Sheryl McCollum, an Emmy Award–winning crime scene investigator, contributes to CrimeOnline and serves as the Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace. She works with a metro Atlanta Police Department as a CSI and has co-authored the textbook Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute (CCIRI), a renowned nonprofit that collaborates with universities, law enforcement, and experts to solve cold cases, missing persons, and kidnappings.

Email: coldcase2004@gmail.com

Twitter/X: @ColdCaseTips

Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

Instagram: @officialzone7podcast

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