The case in Texas Dr. Drexel mentions, in which an innocent man was convicted due to faulty application of arson analysis, seems to be a reference to the real-life case of Cameron Willingham, a man executed in Texas in 2004 for the arson murder of his children. In 2009, an independent review of the case by the Texas Forensic Science Commission found that the evidence in the case did not sustain a finding of arson.
Inspired by several actual cases involving now-debunked arson science, including the 1990 case of Han Tak Lee, a South Korean resident of Queens who was convicted of the murder of his daughter, Ji Yun Lee.
In New York City, Code 10-13 means "officer needs assistance."
P.J. Benjamin has played three different roles over the course of the series:
- Episode 11.21 Torch (2010) - Deputy Fire Marshal Couric
- Episode 9.18 Trade (2008) - Eddie Brancato
- Episode 4.18 Desperate (2003) - Lloyd Jackson
Jeremy Allen White's appearance marks the second time a cast member from Shameless appeared on Law and Order SVU. The first cast member was Noel Fisher, Fisher had a recurring role last season as CSU Tech Dale Stucky.