The First 48 is an American television program that showcases homicide investigations during the first 48 hours after a crime has been committed. The show follows homicide detectives from different cities in the United States as they work to gather evidence, interview witnesses, and solve the case. The program first premiered in 2004 and has since aired for over 20 seasons.

Each episode of The First 48 documents the race against time that detectives face in order to solve a murder case. The show highlights the importance of the first 48 hours after a crime has occurred, as this is when crucial evidence can be found and witnesses' memories are still fresh. The program provides an inside look at the methods and tactics that detectives use to piece together evidence and identify suspects.

The First 48 has been praised for its accurate portrayal of the difficult and often stressful work that homicide detectives undertake. The program has also been credited with helping to increase public awareness of the challenges faced by law enforcement officials in solving murders. The show has proven to be a popular and long-running addition to the true crime genre of television programming.

‍