True crime dominates the podcasting world, but what about the genetic aspects behind these cases? In this episode of DNA Today, we dive into the pivotal role of DNA in forensic science with Dr. Henry Erlich, a pioneer in DNA analysis and a key figure in developing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology. His work has transformed the criminal justice system, from solving cases to overturning wrongful convictions.

Dr. Henry Erlich has authored over 450 publications and spent decades applying DNA analysis to criminal investigations, missing persons cases, and ancestry research. His lab performed the first DNA case in the US and, in 1988, the first DNA exoneration. Erlich was the Director of the Department of Human Genetics and Vice-President of Discovery Research for Roche Molecular Systems, Inc until 2013. He is currently a Senior Scientist at Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute. He has published > 450 articles and is the recipient of numerous awards.

After reading his book Genetic Reconstruction of the Past, I had countless questions about how PCR reshaped the justice system, its impact on exonerations, and the ethical implications of forensic DNA databases.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of murder and sexual assault, which may not be suitable for young listeners.

Topics Covered:

The development of PCR technology and its revolutionary impact on forensic genetics
How PCR outperformed older methods like RFLP in criminal case investigations
Pennsylvania vs. Pestinikas (1986), the first criminal case using DNA analysis
Key forensic DNA terms explained: inclusion, match, exclusion, and random match probability
The role of DNA evidence in exonerations and wrongful convictions
How forensic labs analyze DNA from multiple individuals at crime scenes
The establishment of the FBI’s National DNA Index System (NDIS) and who is included
The ethical concerns surrounding partial DNA matches and familial searching
How public DNA databases like GEDmatch helped identify the Golden State Killer
Dr. Erlich’s insights into the O.J. Simpson case and its impact on public perception of forensic DNA

Resources and Links:

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#326 How DNA Solves Crimes: The Forensic Science Behind True Crime