In this episode of Zone 7, Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum, talks with Detective Joseph Giacalone, a 20-year NYPD veteran. Together, they discuss the nuances of investigations, highlighting the transformation of crime scene practices and the importance of evidence preservation. Detective Joseph sheds light on his experiences, emphasizing the role of communication and the emotional toll of unsolved cases, especially those involving children. Together, they champion the potential of modern tools like drones and videotaping, while navigating the challenging terrains of the Bronx and Brooklyn. 

 

Show Notes:

• [0:00] Welcome back to Zone 7 with Crime Scene Investigator, Sheryl McCollum. Sheryl reminisces about her encounter with retired FBI agent James O. Ponder and his high-profile cases 
• [1:44] Sheryl introduces Detective Joseph Giacalone to the listeners 
• [3:12] Det. Joseph underscores the significance of communication skills in investigations, reflecting on his tenure
• [4:06] Question: Can you tell us about Charles Taylor and Stephen Mason?
• [4:11] Det. Joseph revisits the haunting Charles Taylor and Stephen Mason case, drawing parallels with past cases
• [7:54] The hurdles of revisiting decades-old cases are discussed, emphasizing the possible loss of critical evidence
• [12:16] Question: Going back to Charles and Steven. They had a two-year-old younger brother and lived with their mama on Valentine Avenue. Was there anything that stuck out to you from the beginning about the address?
• [15:01] Question: Do you think that there's any chance there could be DNA on their clothing?
• [19:01] Det. Joseph shares his commitment to transparency and education shines through as he discusses sharing expertise
• [20:38] Question: I know you worked Queens and I know you worked The Bronx. When you work a case, no matter what it is, homicide or missing person, did you work differently in those different neighborhoods? 
• [20:55] The thin spread of NYPD's Bronx Cold Case Squad is discussed, highlighting the necessity of autonomous detectives
• [23:00] The challenges of working in various neighborhoods are explored, focusing on police-community dynamics
• [25:51] Question: Going back to these two little boys, Charlie and Steven, what is it about their case that still pulls you, still draws you?
• [28:52] “Hope is not a plan, but sometimes when you're dealing with cold cases, it's all you have. And you just have to just keep on hammering away, and like everything else, the harder you work, the luckier you get. Hope is not a plan, but sometimes it's all you get.” -Detective Joseph Giacalone
• [29:18] Sheryl recalls her childhood dream of marrying an Italian detective
• [32:38] “It's important for these unspeakable things to be spoken up because they actually happened in this world.” -J.W
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Sheryl “Mac” McCollum is an Emmy Award winning CSI, a writer for CrimeOnLine, Forensic and Crime Scene Expert for Crime Stories with Nancy Grace, and a CSI for a metro Atlanta Police Department. She is the co-author of the textbook., Cold Case: Pathways to Justice. Sheryl is also the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, a collaboration between universities and colleges that brings researchers, practitioners, students and the criminal justice community together to advance techniques in solving cold cases and assist families and law enforcement with solvability factors for unsolved homicides, missing persons, and kidnapping cases.  

You can connect and learn more about Sheryl’s work by visiting the CCIRI website https://coldcasecrimes.org

Social Links:

• Email: [email protected]
• Twitter: @ColdCaseTips
• Facebook: @sheryl.mccollum

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