Radio historian John Dunning described the situation as follows:Originally a criminal himself, he got zapped on the head and lost his memory.
With the help of a kind doctor, he began to build a new life and identity, studying medicine and eventually going into psychiatry.
[2] A photographic story about the program in a 1946 issue of Radio Mirror magazine contained the following comment: "Dr. Ordway ... has become such a favorite with the Police Department of his city that he is constantly being called upon for his shrewd and eager opinions in baffling murder cases.
[5] In 1943, Crime Doctor was reported to be one of three then-current programs "credited with being based on actual case histories of criminals and trials."
When a convict came before the board, Ordway heard the presentation and then asked a "jury" selected from the studio audience to decide the prisoner's fate.
Near the end of each episode, the announcer said, "Ladies and gentlemen, in exactly 57 seconds, Dr. Ordway will be back to tell you the piece of evidence overlooked by the suspect.
[12] In 1943, Columbia Pictures began making movies based on the Crime Doctor program, producing a total of 10 films about the character.