Best Episodes
The First 48 is a hit true crime docu-series that follows detectives during the hours immediately following a homicide. It is available to watch on A&E and first aired back in 2004. After 24 seasons, The First 48 has created some unforgettable episodes. Below, we’ll be ranking the best episodes of The First 48 and why they have earned their spots on the list.
From the shocking twists and turns of the case, to the heartbreaking stories of the victims and their families, the show has created some truly moving and captivating episodes. Each episode is filled with intense moments that keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the ranking and see which episodes made the cut as the best of the best of The First 48.
Written by Sophie and last updated on feb 13, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
In Atlanta, when a young man is shot from 235 feet away, Detective Darrin Smith discovers an escalating feud that threatens to tear apart a neighborhood.
The episode was rated 7.56 from 90 votes.
When a man is murdered just before Christmas, his family helps Tulsa, Okla., detectives search for his killers.
The episode was rated 7.59 from 101 votes.
A quick-money scam in Mobile, Ala., ends in a double murder; a rookie homicide detective takes the case personally.
The episode was rated 7.60 from 127 votes.
Gunmen open fire on a porch, shooting four children and three adults; a police detective turns to the New Orleans community for help in solving the case.
The episode was rated 7.61 from 87 votes.
A Tulsa, Okla., high school football player is gunned down when his friends make a dangerous decision; detectives must separate witnesses from suspects to find out who fired the fatal bullet.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 70 votes.
A man gunned down inside an apartment sets off a chain of events. Tulsa Detective Jason White continues to investigate Courtney Palmer's disappearance.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 54 votes.
In the Minneapolis double murder of two family men, detectives need a man who was there to come clean. Then in Tulsa, a young woman is found dead in a dumpster after she discovers the fate of her fiancé.
The episode was rated 7.63 from 73 votes.
In Minneapolis, surveillance cameras at a convenience store capture more than just a shooting. When a dead body is found days after the murder, Minneapolis Homicide must scramble to catch up to the killer. Minneapolis detectives need the help of the Somali community to help solve the murder of one of their own. The life of a 19-year old woman hangs in the balance after walking in on an intruder in her home.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 74 votes.
In Tulsa, an unsolved case comes to life when new evidence sheds light on a dead man’s friend.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 78 votes.
In New Orleans, detectives make a gruesome discovery inside a car that was set on fire; Det. Ryan Vaught hopes the last person who spoke to the victim can lead him to the killer.
The episode was rated 7.64 from 14 votes.
A Tulsa, Okla., police detective tracks a sadistic killer who murdered the brother of a man who stole his truck.
The episode was rated 7.70 from 118 votes.
Detectives have doubts when a star witness identifies her boyfriend's killers; a detective tries to get a friend of two murdered men to change his ways; a man is randomly shot in front of his sister's house; a homeless man is brutally murdered.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 83 votes.
In Atlanta, a decorated veteran and grandfather gets ambushed when he checks on a rental property.
The episode was rated 7.74 from 125 votes.
When a young mother and her friend are murdered in front of her children, Tulsa detectives hope a suspicious vehicle will lead them to the killer.
The episode was rated 7.77 from 86 votes.
The First 48 episode "Fallen Hero / The Last Deal" follows the investigation of two separate but heartbreaking cases. The first case involves a 90-year-old war hero who was shot in the back. Detectives soon discover that his former neighbor may hold the key to understanding what happened. Meanwhile, the second case follows the investigation of a young man's untimely death. It appears that his plan to make a quick buck went terribly wrong, and sadly cut his future short.
The episode showcases the dedication of the detectives to solve these cases. Despite their difficult nature, the detectives remain determined to find justice for the victims and their families. They tirelessly search for clues, follow leads, and interview witnesses in order to uncover the truth. The episode also highlights the emotional toll that these cases can have on the detectives, particularly when they involve a beloved war hero or a young person with so much potential. It is a heartbreaking look at the difficulty of police work, and a reminder never to take justice for granted.
The episode was rated 7.79 from 76 votes.
