Forensic Files - Season 12, Episode 5 - Quite a Spectacle - Full Episode

It was one of the most unusual cases in forensic history. Investigators had to find a way to solve a murder case with evidence which consisted of a squashed tomato found at the crime scene, and tiny, pinpoint reflections of light in a photograph.
Forensic Files is the longest-running true crime series in television history. Evidence and interviews with experts help solve real crimes, disease outbreaks and accidents around the world.
#truecrime #forensicfiles #fullepisodes
Click here to watch full episodes from Forensic Files - Season 12:
• Forensic Files - Seaso...

[@jackcherbourg2899]

After decades of not knowing if tomatoes are fruits or vegetables, now I know: tomatoes are police detectives.

[@davidrathert9428]

I still don’t know if a 🍑 is butt or fruit, lmao

[@kalanisplash]

Tomatoes are a fruit, they grow from a flower. But Tomatoes are a member of the deadly Nightshade Family. Eat only Roma Tomatoes.

[@schreingeiss]

😂

[@peperomia78]

🤪

[@danielkokal8819]

but tomatoes can break bad. see "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"

[@mommamimaashouse9511]

I knew Brown in high school. He was always a brute. This was a terrifying time in our hometown. Rest in Paradise Debbie 💕

[@romans325kjb]

Amen

[@Randy_Balan]

Another inmate : I was caught selling drugs to an undercover cop. James Brown : I got caught because of a damn tomato.

[@Scorpio_Rose1980]

😂🤣🤣

[@AndiSplatterpunk]

As a big fan of the tomato, I would like to shout out to that brave little hero!

[@muffs55mercury61]

Yes me too. I would have buried it with full honors.

[@autumnsummers6599]

@@muffs55mercury61 lol you mean plant it, so it's offspring can continue it's legacy.

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@autumnsummers6599 Ok sure!

[@julieabada4955]

I love what you said.. I love the tomato but I am a bigger fan of The Onion which is my hero

[@julieabada4955]

He really gave everything So her killer would be caught

[@louiswilson3653]

This was such a senseless crime. Thankfully the investigators did not give up and got justice for Debbie Timlock.

[@gawayategulle6272]

The Debbie murder is really heartbreaking 💔 in a delicate manner. She was able to say "thank you" even when she was dying. Very special soul, very sweet girl. May she rest well.

[@TheKonnoisseur11]

“Excuse me sir, are these bloody glasses yours? I’m definitely not a cop btw”

[@mikezylstra7514]

lol It's not called Canada for nothing.

[@123haninhk]

That huge dude was 23 years old??? Yikes, evil really makes you look older

[@getrudasanga9469]

He looked fifty

[@derekbaker777]

Forensic & FBI Files are my favorite real life crime shows.

[@geemazande3855]

that is an old looking 23 year old 🙄

[@mbaluan3894]

All of these episodes are absolutely tragic. But the way the narrator dramatically and intensely said “tomatoe “ is pretty funny.

[@Catholicophobia]

Lol, especially at 6:55. "The toe may toe and the foot expression."

[@johnnabuzby6103]

It's actually spelled tomato. The plural is tomatoes. 🐝✌

[@Scorpio_Rose1980]

This is the first time I've seen, in FF, that the victim was the one that actually called 911. So sad for her, her baby, and the friends and family that lost this amazing woman in their lives. God has something special for them. ❤️🌹❤️

[@misscriss80]

That poor woman, I can't imagine a 350 lbs monster coimg after me to kill me. Utter and complete terror!!

[@kimmyfreak200]

yah he was disgusting

[@ahmedrefaat1086]

Her last words before she died, thank you How nice she was. R.I.P sweet angel💔

[@MlTCH]

Typical Canadian last words.

[@lesliecollins7678]

The "Thank you" had me 😓

[@Rye-jl2fk]

Very sad 😢

[@chrisdfx1]

I hate when people say, this is a small town and these things don't happen or whatever. Crime happens everywhere, it doesn't matter if it's a small or large city, you always need to protect yourself.

[@charlesterrizzi8311]

Except for the small town I grew up in where things like this really didn’t happen, now I live in jacksonville where don’t happen but once a day. So yeah pretty sure there’s a difference.

[@Aqeel317]

Absolutely

[@chrisdfx1]

@@charlesterrizzi8311 I grew up in a small town too, and you know what? I was a kid, just like you were, and kids don't usually know what's going on especially when it comes to crime. Now I live in one of the worst cities in the country when it comes to crime, and I think it's number one in violent crime.

[@algimante2097]

Cities usually have higher crime rates, that's just a fact. Also, not being able to open your apartment window to let some frech air is crazy. It's like living in your home is the same as in prison. She was just very unlucky, sadly.

[@user-uh3pb9ri8j]

You silly city people come to the rural areas and introduce your crime lives to the natives.

[@CherryPi314]

Wow, I’m not even halfway thru this & Debbie FOUGHT to stay alive. Poor thing, how tragic 😔

[@thesunofgod7896]

Halfway eh?

[@TNT-km2eg]

Everything by half with this lady

[@acidheadzzz]

⁠@@thesunofgod7896 not even halfway….eh?

[@lazy_902]

Love this KZbin channel!!! My father really liked it as well he used it play it before going to bed and uses it to fall asleep, he'd let this channel play all night long!!! He passed away back in September 😥😔😖💔 May you Rest In Paradise Father❣❤🤍🖤

[@brendapatterson7123]

Im sorry for your loss. I also have this channel play all night.

[@KillaKane5150]

Same!!!

[@jamesstanton3280]

Sorry for your loss..rip to your father

[@DocBree13]

I’m sorry for your loss :’(

[@trevalrollins7839]

Rip to your dad.i play this channel at night as well and all night to go to sleep .I have watched and heard every episode over and over .it's just something about this show

[@markfurney3670]

If they didn't use a police officer as a nurse who acted so official in the room, he probably wouldn't have thought it was a setup.

[@midnightrun2764]

Yeah that was bungled those glasses! There are so many more ways they could have nailed him w those!…That nurse deal, was just embarrassing!..🫣

[@johnuitdeflesch3593]

truly awful work on that point

[@debbiegrasse3920]

Life in prison should be just that. Life in prison. No parole ever.

[@michaelmayfield4304]

He was paroled in 2019 after serving 27 years.

[@rossdawgsbrokenspirit9038]

oh no!

[@leelaural]

not enough...he's in his early 50's.....that is unfair to the young woman and her family....

[@evosthunder]

It was revoked in February 2024.

[@mikezylstra7514]

@@evosthunder So did they put him back in?

[@muffs55mercury61]

@@mikezylstra7514 Yes. He had several incidents of violence including road rage and beating up a woman. At least they had sense to put him away before he killed someone again.

[@Prescilla_Halliwell]

Who takes mugshots like they were for a yearbook?

[@lyndastarwriter8507]

The tenaciousness, diligence, exact measurements, test runs with the weights and the shoes...I would think that if anyone has an inkling of committing a crime, the first thing that should deter him/her (aside from moral turpitude) is FORENSIC application to the evidence.

[@cassandraralph5906]

I hope the victim's daughter Lacey, and also the ex husband were able to heal, and move forward with their lives. Well done indeed to the police detectives, and the forensic optometrist who were able to piece together the evidence. And that tomato, 🍅!!!

[@sussieelizabethkoranteng7930]

P

[@cwatson42785]

@@sussieelizabethkoranteng7930 P

[@leelaural]

now that this animal is out free on parole, Debbies family should sue him in civil court....

[@TheRight-handedStranger]

Another criminal who reoffended (to be exact he murdered) after had been released from a Canadian jail.

[@foxboy72006]

The psycho knew that if he confirmed the glasses were his, he was done for! He claimed he lost them. He knew damn well when the police were called, he didn't have time to go back and get them. He came up with the "I'll just say they're not mine" routine. They do this all the time. They think it works, when it clearly doesn't.

[@ballistic350]

Man after watching the all these episodes its almost always someone who lives close or knows the victims...smfh. what a hero tomato 🍅

[@fremontpathfinder8463]

Yep they usually live close by.

[@Atlargein]

The “attack of the killer finding tomatoes”😆

[@davidandadamplaygamesphelp3601]

I don't know why but I find it hilarious that they put the tomato evidence in Debbie's, the victims, refrigerator to preserve it 😅

[@phenomenalwife5380]

Sad simply outrageous. Keep doors and windows locked ..

[@robyngillon4439]

Such a beautiful angel she is now this was mind-blowing thanks from Australia 👍🦘

[@adventurec1923]

The oddest position of a mugshot. Why they were taken that way? I bet the person who took them never heard the end of it.

[@KlusterFux]

Busted by tomato 🍅. How embarrassing 🙈

[@auntieanita6420]

If it weren't such a tragic story, it would be comical to see detectives in fat suits stepping on tomatoes all in the name of science.

[@KawaiiUwuLuv]

Shout out to the tomato 🍅 for solving this case!!!

[@rhoodybowden5324]

🤣😂busted by a pair of glasses and a tomato...oooops sorry my bad....😆

[@aaprii333]

I'm on a mission to find an episode I hvnt seen yet! I'm such an addict, I've probably seen them all!😢😢😟

[@janedoe7229]

Same 😫

[@woadxqueen666]

Me too lmaoo

[@anneg5156]

Same here! Haha the show is addicting and the narration is 👌👌

[@aaprii333]

@Matthew Barry YEP! Saw it! That episode took me waaay back. Thanx for ur efforts but whn I tell u I've seen EVERY episode online, I've seen EVERY EPISODE!😬 I wish they'd go thru the archives & post them bc they gotta hv unreleased episodes!

[@ThanaBrunges-mx7ji]

That is a horrible death 😢

[@smgp2023]

Massive respect to Sir Graham Strong and the forensic team who worked on this tragic case. His mastered skills as Forensic Optometrist left a big impression to me. This my first time watching this case and I was amazed w how he used math to get that evidence w the glasses! Forensic in general is such a top tier job and one of the most difficult imo, KUDOS TO FILMRISE for gifting us these intriguing yet informative episodes 🙇🏻‍♀️💕

[@muffs55mercury61]

James Brown was paroled in October 2018. That was revoked on Feb 13, 2024. He apparently got into scuffles and became violent on several occasions including road rage. He is now back in prison to continue his sentence. On days that I see this episode I don't have the heart to eat a tomato (seriously!) The veggie was indeed the hero in this one. Other plants such as weeds have also helped solve other cases in this series. It's like they can talk as well.

[@tarawehry7105]

I could watch these all day

[@badkarma1289]

What about at night?

[@Vlad-dc2jz]

They weren't kidding when they said there was a lot of blood! There was crazy amount of blood in her bedroom! RIP, Debbie! Poor woman!

[@aenvstelam]

I'm working in the field of optic and they also could have read the prescription in the lenses and compare it to his prescription in his optometric's file

[@TheAngel3737]

Great idea!👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@donairaabreurivas3174]

That's true, but in criminal cases, they need more specific evidence.

[@aenvstelam]

@@donairaabreurivas3174 every prescription is unique because there could be about 6 to seven digits that can be match and if there is all of those digits a sphere, a cylinder, an axe per eyes and an addition on top of that that is a lot of numbers that could be match up and be use

[@richwiebe8084]

@@aenvstelam not to mention that the glasses, made for his eyes, would have the same Pupillary Distance as he does.

[@billwindsor4224]

@@aenvstelam Thank you for your comments as a professional in optometry; that is interesting about the various measurements that can be unique to an individual.

[@lin0647]

I find it super interesting how the optometrist was able to figure out all the measurement points from one measurement of PD. An interesting piece of forensic work. In today’s age, it wouldn’t be necessary to do what was shown in the video by the doctor as long as they get a warrant to look at his optometrist’s file on him. The optometrist office has an extensive record on every frame a patient buys down. PD, color, price, year, 3 measurements. Also checking the Rx of the glasses found at scene and matching it to the Rx his doctors gave him. Today, this case would be easily solved with the help of optometry receptionist. No need for a Waterloo doctor of optometry.

[@l.5832]

I live in Canada. I worked in dentistry around this time and request for dental records for forensicsnwas well known. I'm sure that the same would apply for optometrists. I kept wondering during this why they didn't just check the Rx. Didn't make sense.

[@dianebutler5096]

Great forensics with the glasses that dr. Strong proved was the murderer. The foot print in the tomato was amazing. With these two pieces of evidence his guilt was proven and he got the sentence he deserved. Poor debbie. I hope she didnt suffer long. Condolences to her friends and family. Rest in peace debbie.

[@sometin_else]

He's out on parole after 27 years

[@mensax8054]

There were two victims in this case. Mr. Tomato was gruesomely crushed to death by a fat size 13 shoe

[@jayce0015]

LOl

[@williamorich7531]

Not to worry. That size 13 will serve time in prison too. 😂

[@Try206]

Awesome channel

[@kimmccabe1422]

Whoops it's Canada! Even if my fav tomato is involved I won't watch this. Because no how hideous their crimes Canadian justice is despicable! They let their rapists n murderers out in a few years. That frustrates me so much that when FF is in Canada (or Australia), I won't watch it. Period. But on to the next one. #Victims First

[@ericerto8250]

All right everybody so get your friends together watch this episode and every time they say tomato you got to take a drink and then let me know what happens lol

[@pAusten]

Great work by the detectives.

[@apointtomake1517]

They almost bungled the case by over handling the glasses. They should have never cleaned them. What were they expecting the suspect to say, yea, they are mine? Lot of smart people were behind the forensic aspect of this case but the detectives were not soo smart.

[@binkytube]

11:00 Lol. This officer posing as a nurse sounds exactly like an accusatory cop.

[@midnightrun2764]

Congrats to these coppers, for working their little butts off in this case!..Attention to detail nailed this one!..👏🏼🙌🏼!..✌🏼🇨🇦

[@evosthunder]

He was paroled in 2018, but it was revoked in Feb. 2024.

[@pratikkadam8603]

It was new for me to know about Forensic Optometry.

[@srsusansummers3070]

They have forensic plumbers too

[@yasirakb79]

I don’t understand how the distance between pupils can identify the glasses from a picture . Millions of glAsses can have same width .

[@debbielc8599]

Putting tomatoes on my windowsill when I get home.

[@mariemartin7056]

Out of all the weird stuff that have been used as evidence. A tomato is one of the oddest

[@augustbernard3396]

So sick of all this violence against women.

[@Rye-jl2fk]

It's insane how brutal some of these men are.

[@Pippie5555]

So when the glasses were found, there were no finger prints on them??? Hmm

[@ohioguy215]

I take mine off and on by the thin frames so as not to smudge the glass. Don't think there would be much of a usable print.

[@nathalie_desrosiers]

I think Debbie might have smudged any prints the glasses could have had when she crawled over them.

[@annedeline4421]

Love this program and the narrator!

[@paulg8065]

The “nurse” offering him his glasses was super weird.

[@sunflowerz54]

Followed home from the restaurant?? No tomato juice in the creaves of the shoes?

[@unionjack84]

He was paroled, can you believe it? But he violated the conditions of his parole and was incarcerated again

[@bertharuiz1225]

What was the oxen’s motive in killing victim? Didn’t hear nor found on transcribed narration.

[@LotusStitchandSketch]

motive sounded like sexual assault in my opinion and then he killed her to make sure she kept her mouth shut

[@divinewon73]

😻 Eliminate the witness.

[@SeattleHubel]

He made advances to her and she wasn't into him. Not that that's a motive, but connection.

[@srsusansummers3070]

Sexual assault

[@ihategooglesomuch]

I wonder if steroids were a contributing factor, given he was a competitive athlete and it was the 80s?

[@jonathannixon8652]

I never lease an apartment that's on ground level. For this reason alone I always rent a second floor apartment.

[@elainevarian8341]

There are 2seasons out of a fairly new series” Forensic Geneology”. Didn’t even know that technology existed!the name is Bloodline Detective!

[@victorpeirce4753]

If they had of used the Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer they would have solved the case heaps quicker.

[@donnawatkins9002]

NCIS---Abby🥤

[@monicalogtenberg9403]

So weird that it was James… his father had a popular store in the town… James was a popular footfall player at our high school… he was a popular guy… his mother was a nice lady… I didn’t know James personally but everyone knew who he was

[@Rye-jl2fk]

Turns out James was a psychopath.

[@shilde]

Now a days they’d be able to pull dna off those glasses. 😊

[@January.]

*Nowadays,

[@shilde]

@@January. ☺️ thank you

[@darkwillow57]

As a wrestler Brown has a killer finishing move 😜

[@jamesspears8226]

She was brave enough to call for help before she was dead. Now who has custody of her son

[@JulieFennell-qc4uj]

She had a daughter she'd be grown now

[@fursitivepetbarkmeowbybeng1225]

Ofcourse too late calling 911 asking to much questions than sending outright the rescue team

[@leelaural]

just saw the episode....I am outraged that this animal is out on parole.....life is something he stole from this young mother.....there is no justice here on earth....

[@evosthunder]

It got revoked, thankfully.

[@jacksonmoore4159]

for those wondering how he was able to make a definitive analysis, he record exact dimensions of the glasses, and small imperfections( tilt of the lenses damage on the surface,etc), when all the features are added together, the chance of another pair of glasses sharing the exact size and concurrent physical imperfections becomes astronomical, plus james brown ended up confessing years later anyhow.

[@sethmann6397]

How Brown never made it as a male model is anyone's best guess.

[@nickdavis9315]

Good episode

[@YunaticsTV]

Forensics is awesome

[@user-yg5ou4sd1x]

GOOD

[@kimmyfreak200]

most interesting episode... how they caught him... hard work and luck! before dna they had to get very clever and work with what they had... fascinating

[@nightwolf4043]

i need that tomato seeds

[@cathykeim1088]

How could this murderer get life in prison and then paroled in 2018? He murdered once and if he murders again, it will be because of a failed justice system.

[@nataSoN]

It's nice to be home safe unlike the other guy whom and i will not be on this show anytime soon as it taught me all i need to know how to do what i love to do... Those who are not missed will not be missed those who are not worth it are not worth it.

[@nancyfahey7518]

tomatoes are cool.

[@TheGrinningGorilla]

The guy had insulted tomatoes badly.. and they decided to avenge

[@ddgamble2199]

Kudos to the person who carried all that weight in the bomb suit. That was probably 100+ pounds.😊

[@timothywomac9254]

If I was casting for movie role of a brilliant professor, Dr. Strong would be it. He reminds me of a wise old owl.

[@antonfloor344]

What about the color of those glasses gold vs brown?

[@mikezylstra7514]

That dude could crack a Japanese guy in half like a toothpick. Why did they send him there?

[@sweetestsweet7451]

Jim Brown was paroled in 2019.

[@bowiemoonen2565]

My little town 🥹🥹🥹

[@cogitoergospud1]

I think the tomato evidence was planted. And I heard that years later the optometrist expert fell into his lens grinder and made a spectacle of himself. (Sorry. I’ll show myself out.)

[@kadeemjoseph8138]

Bruh 😂😂

[@Highheels4ever]

This was a senseless crime. Poor Debbie , was attacked and stabbed mercilessly by this guy who wanted to have sex with her and killed her so she couldn’t identify him. But he didn’t count on forensic science and evidences that made his case and sent him to prison. This monster should have gotten life in prison without parole for the rest of his natural life …..but this case was in Canada which their judicial system is far worse than the one we have in America. Rest in eternal Peace always, Debbie 🙏🌹

[@Atticus711]

Can't believe I worked with him and had no idea. I always thought he was an arrogant prick, but this is uh.... alot.

[@wapangmolier7404]

Hope it's a new one😎

[@user-yg5ou4sd1x]

U BILIND IT POST AN HOUR AGO

[@lazy_902]

@@user-yg5ou4sd1x ahahahah 🤣

[@bari2883]

Nope it’s not. I was hoping too.

[@Great_White_Shork]

12:28 Anyone else down with the OPP?

[@clancykobane9102]

the squish that caught a ...killer

[@ginohernandez3770]

Heeeeeey!!!! I feel good!!!

[@Grngrsky]

Killer received parole in 2019

[@whatweather]

I’m surprised either of those pieces of evidence held up in court