Parents' Guide to

Cold Case Files

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 16+

Docuseries brings closure to long-unsolved crimes.

TV A&E, Syndicated Reality TV 1999
Cold Case Files Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 10+

Based on 3 parent reviews

shadowthorn
shadowthorn Parent of 10 and 13-year-old
September 10, 2022
age 12+

This title has:

Educational value
1 person found this helpful.
scottyistohottyy
scottyistohottyy Adult
October 27, 2020
age 7+

lizzy harrys good review

this is great you should get this and sign in right away!

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
1 person found this helpful.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Documentary series COLD CASE FILES explores how investigators use contemporary crime-solving techniques to re-examine long-unsolved homicides, known as "cold cases." Long after the initial leads have dried out, cold case detectives revisit these incidents in an effort to find new clues. With the help of modern forensic medicine and good investigation work, many can now be solved. The series covers high-profile cases (like the still-unresolved Zodiac Killer murders) as well as those that have been forgotten by the public. The main objective is to look at how advances in forensic medicine -- including DNA testing -- are helping law enforcement finally bring some resolution to the victims' families, while providing an informative, scientific look the investigative process.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3):
Kids say (3):

While some of the content is strong -- including crime scene photos showing close ups of victims' fatal wounds -- most of these images are shown in context as part of the detailed account of the investigation. The series is unique in that, without exploiting them, it places great importance on supporting people who have to cope with their loved ones' violent deaths. As a result, Cold Case Files offers mature viewers an opportunity to learn both about the science behind solving crimes and the emotional importance of solving them.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about forensic medicine. How do you become a forensic scientist? Do shows like this one (as well as crime dramas like CSI) make forensic medicine more appealing as a career? Do you think the media offers a realistic view of what that kind of job is like? Families can also talk about how families cope when violent crime has touched their lives. How can friends, neighbors, and society help people who've lost a loved one to violence?

TV Details

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