2002: DNA Deception

PRETEND

Javier Leiva

True Crime, Society & Culture, Technology

4.7 • 2.2K Ratings

🗓️ 7 January 2025

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

DNA evidence is often seen as the gold standard in criminal investigations—a scientific fingerprint that can definitively prove guilt or innocence. But what happens when the science behind it is mishandled or manipulated? In this episode of PRETEND, we explore two shocking cases: the Garrett Coughlin triple homicide and the wrongful conviction of Josiah Sutton. Both cases reveal how sloppy forensic work and unethical practices can set guilty criminals free and, worse, imprison innocent people. Through interviews with victims' families, experts, and journalists, we unravel the myth of DNA as infallible evidence and expose the devastating consequences of a broken system. Featuring insights from Kathy Eppler and a special contribution from Celisia Stanton of the Truer Crime Podcast, this episode serves as a sobering reminder: DNA is only as reliable as the people interpreting it. Credits: Special thanks to Celisia Stanton from Truer Crime Podcast for her contributions to the Josiah Sutton case segment. Additional reporting and analysis from Hidden Killers Podcast and forensic scientist Dan Krane. Pitch to Truer Crime Podcast: If you're intrigued by the case of Josiah Sutton and want to dive deeper, check out Truer Crime Podcast hosted by Celisia Stanton, where she explores the complexities of DNA evidence, justice, and wrongful convictions with a sharp and compassionate lens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	Creative Babble
0:03.5	What kind of weekend are you in the mood for?
0:09.7	Well, with Disney Plus, anything is possible.
0:12.7	Whether that be two days of twists and turns with only murders in the building,
0:17.3	drama and fine dining with The Bear, or a journey back to feudal Japan with
0:22.4	Shogun.
0:23.3	January weekends just got better with Disney Plus.
0:26.8	Tap the banner to learn more.
0:28.3	18 plus subscription required.
0:30.1	Learn more at Disneyplus.com.
0:38.3	Why? Why?
0:39.3	You know, why would you take the life of somebody so vibrant and a young mother?
0:44.3	I can't comprehend it.
0:47.3	On November 26, 1979, Evelyn Day disappeared.
0:52.3	She was a student at Ames Community College an hour outside of Denver.
0:59.0	Evelyn was last seen locking up the doors to the lab. The next morning, her station wagon was found
1:06.0	parked under a water tower. She was raped and strangled with a belt.
1:12.4	It was 1979,
1:14.4	almost a decade before DNA was ever used as evidence in a criminal trial.
1:19.4	Despite all that,
1:20.9	investigators swabbed Evelyn's body,
1:23.7	as well as under her fingernails,
	...

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