Written By Lisa Loomer
Directed By Peter Leto
An aspiring journalist is found dead with multiple different strands of DNA on her body. The investigation soon reveals the victim was on the brink of exposing malpractice at a meat-packing factory and had recently gone undercover in said factory. Benson goes undercover at the factory herself, only to discover the most likely suspect may not be the actual killer.
Tropes
- Abusive Parents: After Rosa Doletti is revealed to be John Reilly's mother, she's quickly revealed to be one. Not only did she guilt trip him into taking the blame for Laura's murder, but she also said during her confession that she always thought her son was "always too weak" and that she eventually gave him away to her sister to raise.
- False Rape Accusation: Jorge Vargas's wife believed she was setting her husband up to face one of these as revenge for his infidelities. Little did she know she was actually helping set him up for murder.
- Double-Meaning Title: The Victim of the Week died investigating a shady meatpacking plant. To have "beef" with someone also means to have a grudge against them.
- The Killer Was Left-Handed: Olivia was able to deduce that the foreman that they had a ton of evidence against including his DNA and a confession was innocent because he was left handed and his Corrupt Corporate Executive boss/mother was the real killer.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: Sweet little Rosa feigns harmless senility, making a point of mistaking names and what day it is, until she's revealed as the person who slit Laura's throat.
