This special was based on a rather exciting premise: what if a group of world-renowned experts came together to re-examine one of America's most famous unsolved cases? That question will have to remain unanswered. Instead we see what would happen if a group of world-renowned experts attempt to shamelessly cash in on the anniversary of one of America's most famous unsolved cases.
Without going into too much detail (to avoid spoilers), the group gets up to all sorts of ridiculous shenanigans over the course of their "investigation." Almost every aspect of the investigation suffers from serious flaws.
Interviews were mostly with people who had obvious agendas/ulterior motives for conducting an interview and the questions asked by the interviewers were both loaded and leading. Even worse, obvious questions go unasked.
There is more pseudoscience than actual science during the special; some of the "experiments" would be right at home in an episode of Ghost Hunters (911 call meets "EVP"). What little real science there is often is performed in a misleading, erroneous, or irrelevant manner (i.e. major methodological flaws in the DNA, flashlight, and stun gun "tests," among others). Sharp-eyed viewers will notice that at least one of the flashlight tests was repeated until they got the results they wanted.
In terms of examining the evidence, some evidence is twisted/edited, some hand-waved away, and other parts ignored completely simply because they can't make it fit while other pieces are given inflated importance because it plays better with their theory.
The total incompetence of the Boulder police force on the case is mentioned, but glossed over, while simultaneously giving air time to some improbable conspiracy theories that aren't given even the most cursory examination for plausibility.
In many of the conversation sequences the group arrives at conclusions that make no logical sense or ask questions in a tone implying they feel it's a "gotcha!" question when in fact I could come up with a half-dozen plausible explanations off the top of my head to explain away the alleged "inconsistency." Roughly half of these sessions are devoted to discussing how they feel a person should have looked/felt/reacted in any given situation. Sorry, but psychology isn't so predictable as to fit into the neat little boxes provided.
The series ends with a blatant play at emotions that is as offensive as it is misguided, leaving the viewer with no doubts that there is no low the group will not stoop to.
Overall, the mini-series gives an impression of a group of people straining very hard to make the evidence fit their preconceived theories on the case. I was expecting a hard-hitting look at all the evidence and instead got an obvious cash grab by way of a self-serving law enforcement puff piece. I was seriously disappointed. Do yourself a favor and watch "JonBenet: An American Murder Mystery" instead. It, too, is far from perfect, but it at least gives an honest effort to make an impartial investigation.
