Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science

Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science takes viewers into the practical side of crime solving through science. Instead of high drama, the show explains how investigators assemble a credible picture from traces left at a scene. It highlights techniques such as DNA profiling, dental records, and entomology, showing how each clue contributes to reconstructing timelines and events. The host accompanies laboratory demonstrations and courtroom considerations, translating jargon into plain language for a general audience. Viewers learn how scientific findings support or challenge hypotheses, and they see the careful balance between evidence and interpretation that underpins modern justice. No sensational twists, just the nuts and bolts of real investigative work. The show invites viewers to think about how evidence is interpreted in real trials, not just in laboratories.

Released in 1997, Exhibit A was developed by Robert Sandler, Robert Lang and Allen Booth. Graham Greene hosts, guiding viewers through real forensic case material and laboratory demonstrations that illuminate how science informs investigations within the legal context. That is the core of the program, offering a clear window into the methods behind crime solving without resorting to fantasy.

The program centers on forensic evidence and its role in shaping outcomes in the justice system. It treats DNA analysis, dental data, and insect evidence as powerful tools, while also weighing limits and uncertainties. The tone is educational, inviting curiosity without sacrificing accuracy or context. It uses visuals and analogies to help non-experts grasp complex ideas.

As an early example of forensic science documentation on television, Exhibit A helped establish a straightforward template for later true crime programs. Its emphasis on demonstrable technique rather than melodrama contributed to a shift toward accessible science education in popular media. Its measured pace and emphasis on procedure set a standard that later programs tried to emulate.

No major awards are listed for Exhibit A. The show is valued for its educational approach and host driven presentation, offering accessible science without sensationalism. Its focus on real methods rather than hype reflects the era's push toward credible crime documentary work.