This episode appears to be based on the Joyce Gilchrist case. Gilchrist was an Oklahoma City forensic chemist who was found to have falsified forensic evidence in order to help prosecutors obtain convictions. Dozens of innocent men and women were sent to prison. The falsified evidence led to the execution of at least one man who was later fully exonerated. Her work led in part to 23 people being sentenced to death, 12 of whom have been executed.
First on-screen role for Ginnifer Goodwin, who at the time was only 22. She plays the victim's girlfriend during the cold opening.
Lenny Venito (Detective Wade) also played the role of Sonny King in Episode 14.20, Everybody Loves Raimondo's (2004).