November 18, 1978. A day that could have been like any other saw the report of one of the most bizarre and harrowing tragedies in American history. A day that, until 9/11, had the largest amount of human lives lost in a deliberate act. The result of psychological manipulation, the Jonestown tragedy started decades before that fateful day. One man, Jim Jones, started a cult that attracted many because of its ideas of racial integration, inclusiveness, and socialism. He called it the People’s Temple. But the question is, how and why did over 900 people find themselves dead in a day?

Our project aims to present the narrative and psychological breakdown of the People’s Temple and Jim Jones. We will accomplish this through the medium of a documentary. To address our program question, we will explore the aspects of psychological manipulation, the importance of choice, and blood spatter evidence. Our group will strive to ultimately answer this question: how does society successfully administer justice in this case? Does this qualify as a mass suicide or a mass homicide?

Created for Northwood High School's 2019 Forensic Program Capstone Project

Visit the website: https://theriakumar.wixsite.com/capstonejonestown

Director/Editor: Jennifer Lin
Writers: Ria Kumar/Joe Cho
Narrator: Joe Cho
Resource Manager: Christian Shin
Website Creator: Ria Kumar