Penn State professor co-starring in National Geographic Channel series

Penn State’s Dan Shapiro, chair and professor, Department of Humanities, College of Medicine, is co-starring in “The Great American Manhunt,” a National Geographic Channel series that follows a team of forensic detectives and scientists.

In each episode, a team of experts including Shapiro, who is a clinical psychologist, employs the very latest techniques and technology in forensic science — as well as a bit of intuition and some old-fashioned clue-busting abilities — to identify living individuals simply through clues on and inside of their bodies. With no access to national databases, the team is limited to using every forensic test available to interrogate the anatomy, the minds and the clothes to positively ID their target. The mystery targets come in many shapes and sizes but they all have something in common: an occupation or event that has left a unique imprint on their body.

Shapiro earned his doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of Florida and went onto Harvard Medical School, where he completed an internship at McLean Hospital and an endowed fellowship in medical crisis interventions at Boston Children’s Hospital, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also works as a TV presenter, author and playwright, and as a psychology consultant on shows such as “Grey's Anatomy” and “Private Practice.”

Episodes will air at 9 p.m. on the National Geographic Channel on the following dates: April 19 and 26, May 3, 10, 17 and 31, and June 7 and 14. To watch clips from the show, visit http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/national-geographic-channel/shows/the-great-american-manhunt.

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