The first victims of America's most prolific serial killer were found in 1982; the killer was at large for two decades, killing over 50 women, but was caught after forensic microscopy linked paint particles from the victims' clothes to the killer.

In 2002, armed with DNA and a license plate from a violent rape case, a detective thinks he has an easy case, but neither provides a match; the case goes cold until the groundbreaking Combined DNA Index System finds a hit 5 years later.

Detectives investigate the body of a murdered woman found in a barrel along with an address book.

In 1996, a bomb goes off at the Atlanta Olympics killing one and leaving hundreds injured. After a further 5 bombs are detonated, the FBI, ATF and GBI realize they're dealing with a serial bomber.

In 1986, the LAPD arrives at a murder scene that seems clear cut, but the case quickly goes cold. Twenty years later, DNA testing provides a stunning new lead.

In 1995, charred bones and a skull with five bullet holes are found inside a burnt antique trunk in the Nevada desert.

Eagle-eyed technical experts prove there is no such thing as a perfect crime as they assemble the pieces every criminal leaves behind. Dramatic crime re-creations and, sometimes, part of the investigations are a staple of the series. Some of the re-creations include alternate versions of the crimes, which are disproved by science. The show's episodes follow each case from the initial investigation until it reaches its legal resolution.

Some of the world's most notorious murders are the subject of "It Takes a Killer," which investigates the crimes from the perspective of the killers, trying to get inside their minds and determine their motives. Leading homicide investigators and experts from such agencies as the FBI and Scotland Yard take a look at the evidence pulled from crime scenes and profile the killer's behavior to try to piece together the details of each murder, explaining when, why and how each criminal committed the crime. For the wannabe detectives watching the show, the experts also reveal how the crime was solved -- which often requires authorities to think like a killer.

"Breaking Homicide" seeks closure for desperate families whose loved ones were victims in murder cases that have gone cold. Former Rhode Island police Sgt. Derrick Levasseur investigates decades-old cases, chasing down new clues and providing fresh perspective to those who never gave up on the search for justice. Helped by local law enforcement, victims' family members and advanced technology, Levasseur meticulously dissects each piece of evidence, unearthing new leads in some cases.