The First 48 From Famous Book Author, and Law Enforcement Journalist: New Orleans Police Officer (2003), Veteran Security Officer for 9 years, and a Firefighter for The Augusta Fire Department: Rev. Dr. Franklyn Beckles, Jr., arenown Church Pastor and Business Owner... Jump to: navigation, search The First 48 Genre Drama, action Format Reality television Starring Dion Graham (narrator) Country of origin United States No. of seasons 9 No. of episodes 152 (List of episodes) Production Producer(s) ITV Studios Running time 45 minutes Broadcast Original channel A&E Picture format 480i (SDTV), 720p (HDTV), 1080i (HDTV) Original run June 3, 2004 (2004-06-03) – present External links Official website The First 48 is an American documentary television series that airs on A&E. Set in several cities across the United States, the series offers an insider's look at the real-life world of homicide investigators. While the cinema-verite series often follows the investigations to their end, it usually focuses on their first 48 hours, hence the title. The First 48 offers a realistic, uncompromising, gritty view of homicide detectives in America, and the methods they use to do their job effectively. The series is notable because it takes viewers behind the scenes of real-life investigations with unprecedented access to crime scenes, forensic processing, and interrogations, offering a realistic view of homicide detective work that is not found in fictionalized television shows. In 2006, the series was nominated for a Distinguished Documentary Achievement Award, in the Continuing Series category, by the International Documentary Association, eventually losing out to American Experience. Dion Graham is featured as the narrator, and is the only member of the cast to be in every one of the episodes.[1] On March 3, 2009, it was renewed for its 9th season by A&E, and currently has 152 episodes.[2] By season 6, The First 48 had become the highest rated non-fiction justice series on American television, and had gained considerable critical acclaim.[3] The season 8 premiere on January 1, 2009 garnered a domestic audience of 2.3 million viewers making it the series' most watched episode, thus far.[4] Each episode picks one or more homicides in different cities, covering each alternately, showing how detectives use forensic evidence, witness interviews and other advanced detective skills to identify suspects. Contents [hide] 1 Controversy 2 Title sequence 3 Episodes 4 Officers featured 5 Cities 6 References 7 External links [edit] Controversy On May 16, 2010, a 7-year-old Detroit girl named Aiyana Jones was shot and killed during a SWAT raid that was filmed by The First 48 cameras.[5] Detroit SWAT unit raided the duplex while searching for a homicide suspect. After sending a flash grenade through the window of the first-floor room where Jones was sleeping, SWAT officers entered the front door. At some point, an officer's gun went off, and a bullet struck Jones in the neck or head.[6] The show's unprecedented access to the police departments has generated some controversy because such access is not typically given to traditional local news media.[7] [edit] Title sequence The First 48's opening title sequence features the conceptual statement: "For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don't get a lead within the first 48 hours." The original soundtrack, composed by both Chuck HAMMER (2004–2005) and Brian and Justin Deming (2006–2008), is a combination of dark ambient music integrated with sound design. [edit] Episodes Main article: List of The First 48 episodes There were 13 episodes in the first season, 14 in seasons 2 to 4, 17 in season 5, and 20 in seasons 6 to 9. [edit] Officers featured Caroline Mason (25 episodes, 2004–2008) Tony Mullins (22 episodes, 2004–2008) John Buhrmaster (19 episodes, 2004–2009) Det. Fernando Bosch (17 episodes, 2004–2009) Eddie Ibarra (17 episodes, 2006–2009) Toney Armstrong (16 episodes, 2004–2008) John Palmer (16 episodes, 2006–2009) Sgt. Ron Collins (15 episodes, 2006–2008) Det. Emiliano Tamayo (14 episodes, 2004–2009) Rick Duggan (14 episodes, 2006–2009) Ken Penrod (13 episodes, 2006–2008) Scott Sayers (13 episodes, 2007–2009) Ervens Ford (12 episodes, 2004–2009) Det. Freddy Ponce (12 episodes, 2004–2009) Connie Justice (12 episodes, 2006–2008) Det. Kevin Ruggiero (11 episodes, 2004–2007) Larry Lewis (11 episodes, 2006–2009) Robert Quirk (11 episodes, 2006–2009) Manny Castillo (10 episodes, 2004–2009) Sgt. Eunice Cooper (10 episodes, 2004–2009) Sgt. Joe Schillaci (10 episodes, 2004–2009) Sgt. Armando Aguilar [edit] Cities The First 48 has featured or plans to feature detective units in the following U.S. cities: Birmingham, Alabama Charlotte, North Carolina (Future) Cincinnati, Ohio Dallas, Texas** Detroit, Michigan Harris County, Texas Kansas City, Kansas Kansas City, Missouri Las Vegas, Nevada Louisville, Kentucky Memphis, Tennessee*** Miami, Florida Minneapolis, Minnesota Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Phoenix, Arizona San Antonio, Texas Tucson, Arizona *In March 2010, crews began filming in Charlotte for future episodes.[8] **In September 2008, the Dallas Police Department announced it would not renew its contract with the show.[9] ***In May 2008, the Memphis Police Department cut ties with the show after several Memphis City Council members complained the show cast Memphis in a negative light.[10] [edit] References ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0423652/episodes ^ http://www.monstersandcritics.com/smallscreen/news/article_1489907.php/Win_Big_From_The_First_48_on_A&E!_Contest ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20070627aande01 ^ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=20090105aande01 ^ http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/05/16/michigan.police.child/ ^ [1] ^ http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/may/14/editorials-problem-wasnt-shows-content/ ^ "CMPD To Participate In Homicide Reality Show". WSOC-TV. March 10, 2010. http://www.wsoctv.com/news/22801128/detail.html. ^ Goldstein, Scott (September 3, 2008). "Reality TV show 'First 48' coming to an end for Dallas police". Dallas Morning News. http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2008/09/reality-tv-show-first-48-comin.html. ^ Dudding, Hank (May 12, 2008). "Memphis police cut ties with TV's 'First 48'". The Commercial Appeal. http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/may/12/memphis-police-end-relationship-first-48/. [edit] External links Official website The First 48 at the Internet Movie Database The First 48 at TV.com Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_48" Categories: A&E shows | American reality television series | 2000s American television series | 2010s American