Benson and Stabler brought Davis in for questioning, where he eventually cracked under pressure and confessed to the crime. As they left the precinct, Benson felt a sense of closure, knowing that justice had been served.

Finally, after weeks of hard work, they got their break. A DNA match was found, and the suspect was identified as a 35-year-old man named Michael Davis. He had a history of violent behavior, and a search of his apartment yielded a pair of gloves and a jacket that matched the torn fabric.

But what is it about the "elite squad" of the NYPD that keeps millions of viewers tuning in decade after decade? The Formula: Beyond "Ripped from the Headlines"