THE BIGGEST FORENSIC MISTAKE EVER

For more than 15 years, police across Europe believed they were hunting one of the most elusive serial killers in modern history. Known as The Phantom of Heilbronn, the same DNA appeared at dozens of crime scenes spanning multiple countries. Detectives linked the mysterious suspect to murders, robberies, burglaries, and violent crimes, creating one of the largest criminal investigations in European history. There was just one problem... The killer never existed. This week on Devious Backstories, Handy & Maal break down the unbelievable true story behind the Phantom of Heilbronn, how contaminated DNA evidence sent investigators on a years-long chase, and the forensic mistake that changed criminal investigations forever.