Forensic Files Case Locations Map

The geographic distribution of the wide variety of cases covered across the 14 seasons of Forensic Files is compelling. From the coastal cities of California to my own hometown of Fort Lauderdale, I wanted to visualize how widely dispersed these investigations really are — and how often certain regions appear throughout the series. This map is an ongoing project that places individual cases in their real-world locations as each episode is completed.

How the map is built

Each pin on the map represents the primary location where a case took place. In some instances, crimes span multiple cities or regions. Rather than duplicating pins and content, I've used Google Maps' line feature to connect related locations and represent the broader geographic scope of those cases. This keeps the map readable while still acknowledging the full story.

Color is also used as a categorization aid. Forensic Files episodes generally fall into one of four types: Crime, Exoneration, Accident, or Outbreak. Because the majority of episodes document crimes, the remaining categories are less common and may appear underrepresented as the map continues to grow.

What each map entry includes

Google Maps allows a title, description, and media to be attached to each point of interest. For each case, I've included the episode title, its position within the series, and a direct link back to the corresponding page on this site.

When available, I've embedded a related YouTube video rather than static images. This approach isn't perfect — some videos are unavailable due to age restrictions or copyright removals, and YouTube doesn't always surface thumbnails consistently. As a result, the media portion of the map will always be a little uneven, but it adds helpful context when it works.

Credits and inspiration

The idea for this map was inspired by the excellent work of the YouTube channel Coffeehouse Crime. If you're not already familiar with it, the channel is well worth your time. Adrian strikes a rare balance between detail, clarity, and respect for the people involved in each case. His research is thorough, his tone measured, and the variety of cases impressive. It's no surprise the channel's audience has grown rapidly since its debut in late 2020.

I've borrowed more from Adrian than just the idea for this map — and I appreciate the example he sets for thoughtful true crime coverage.