The year 2017 was an explosive one on the crime-news front. But for the families of some long-ago crime victims, the past 12 months were especially memorable since their loved ones’ cases—some unsolved for decades—took dramatic new steps toward being solved

A&E True Crime asked Live PD analyst Tom Morris Jr. for his take on the most shocking, exciting moments from the show this year. Here, in his words, are the moments that had the studio gasping in shock and cracking up laughing.

Tommy Ray, a special agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, came up with an idea that would revolutionize cold-case homicide investigations: making a game out of it.

The holidays aren't always filled with cheer and merriment.

Some police departments are using unique fundraising methods to send kids in their community to camp for the summer.

Dep. Rebecca Loeb of the Lake County Sheriff's Department spoke with us about her transition from lawyer to law-enforcement officer, the challenges and benefits of being a female in a male-dominated profession and those funky pink handcuffs.

Ted Bundy, for one, received hundreds of love letters in prison.

Judges sometimes go beyond jail time, issuing creative punishments designed to fit the crime instead of standard incarceration.

Investigative journalist and crime writer M. William Phelps talks about his 'friendship' with serial killer Keith 'Happy Face' Jesperson.

Watch a video on wealthy murderer John du Pont, heir to the du Pont family fortune.

Bestselling true-crime writer Suzy Spencer tours a body farm at Texas State University, where researchers study body decomposition in different settings to help those in forensic science and law enforcement fields.

Thomas G. Martin, former federal agent gives his take on the disappearance of Madeleine McCann.

From suspects hiding behind fake walls to chasing naked peeping Toms, the Live PD analyst shares his most memorable arrests.

Writer Larry Brand of the 'Young Charlie' podcast talks about misconceptions about the deranged cult leader's early years.

When you're paid to interview killers, you learn what to expect: lies, manipulation, and eventually, the truth.

An excerpt from Michael Arntfield's 'Mad City: The True Story of the Campus Murders America Forgot,' on the murder of Christine Rothschild.

Stopping an armed robbery while out on a date was just another day in the life of NYPD cop Ralph Friedman, who was the force's most decorated detective when he retired in 1984.

An expert in the psychology of school shooting perpetrators talks about who commits these heinous crimes.

*A&E Crime & Investgiation* spoke to a psychologist and a criminal profiler about the serial killers featured on Mindhunter.

Sgt. Leverett talks to us about how he gets people to tell the truth, the unexpected places he's found drugs (butts aren't that unusual) and what would surprise fans to know about his K-9 partner Flex.

The Murdaugh murders exposed a web of deceit and financial crime.

Caylee Anthony’s disappearance shocked the nation in 2008.