You've Been Lied to About DNA Evidence episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 29, 2026 · 24 MIN

You've Been Lied to About DNA Evidence

from Be Smart. · host Joe Hanson

Thank you to Squarespace for supporting PBS. Go to https://www.squarespace.com/besmart for a free trial and use code BESMART to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓Follow me to Deep Look and celebrate Earth Month with PBS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbuJSmpxiNYPBS Earth Month Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnNZYWyBGJ1F8ofFm4H9UTrHxqU8zngK4DNA evidence is supposed to be the gold standard of criminal investigation. But what happens when that same technology sends innocent people to prison? Featuring interviews with Amanda Knox and forensic DNA expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, this is my investigation of DNA forensics, and what happens when we trust the science but don't ask the right questions.References: https://sites.google.com/view/besmart-forensic-dna/home 0:00 "I'm being framed."1:28 DNA is supposed to be magic2:40 The serial killer who never existed7:02 How forensic DNA actually works11:41 His DNA was at the crime scene. He wasn't.14:37 What happened to Amanda Knox20:02 The DNA never lied. Or did it?Be Smart explores science questions you didn’t even know you wondered about. It is hosted and produced by Joe Hanson, PhD. We post new videos all the time, so please subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, hit the ‘like’ button, leave a comment, or watch another of our videos!CONNECT WITH ME____________________________________Website: https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart/ https://www.instagram.com/drjoehanson/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/itsokaytobesmart A big thanks to our Brain Trust patrons: Baerbel Winkler, Brent Lopez, dani bowman, David Johnston, Ed Eyden, Eric Meer, Greg Olson, Holly, Brett, and Ashe Bullion, Jaap Westera, Karen Haskell, Marcus Pingel, Mike and Patty Loftis, Paul Weir, Reuben BrewerSPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES____________________________________Please email [email protected] video and images provided by Shutterstock, Artlist, and MotionArrayMusic provided by APMWritten by Molly Edwards & Joe HansonEdited by Ben HarrisonProduced by Least Square Media and Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thank you to Squarespace for supporting PBS. Go to https://www.squarespace.com/besmart for a free trial and use code BESMART to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓Follow me to Deep Look and celebrate Earth Month with PBS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbuJSmpxiNYPBS Earth Month Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnNZYWyBGJ1F8ofFm4H9UTrHxqU8zngK4DNA evidence is supposed to be the gold standard of criminal investigation. But what happens when that same technology sends innocent people to prison? Featuring interviews with Amanda Knox and forensic DNA expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, this is my investigation of DNA forensics, and what happens when we trust the science but don't ask the right questions.References: https://sites.google.com/view/besmart-forensic-dna/home 0:00 "I'm being framed."1:28 DNA is supposed to be magic2:40 The serial killer who never existed7:02 How forensic DNA actually works11:41 His DNA was at the crime scene. He wasn't.14:37 What happened to Amanda Knox20:02 The DNA never lied. Or did it?Be Smart explores science questions you didn’t even know you wondered about. It is hosted and produced by Joe Hanson, PhD. We post new videos all the time, so please subscribe! If you enjoyed this video, hit the ‘like’ button, leave a comment, or watch another of our videos!CONNECT WITH ME____________________________________Website: https://www.itsokaytobesmart.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaytobesmart/ https://www.instagram.com/drjoehanson/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/itsokaytobesmart Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/c/itsokaytobesmart A big thanks to our Brain Trust patrons: Baerbel Winkler, Brent Lopez, dani bowman, David Johnston, Ed Eyden, Eric Meer, Greg Olson, Holly, Brett, and Ashe Bullion, Jaap Westera, Karen Haskell, Marcus Pingel, Mike and Patty Loftis, Paul Weir, Reuben BrewerSPONSORSHIP INQUIRIES____________________________________Please email [email protected] video and images provided by Shutterstock, Artlist, and MotionArrayMusic provided by APMWritten by Molly Edwards & Joe HansonEdited by Ben HarrisonProduced by Least Square Media and Spotzen for PBS Digital Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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You've Been Lied to About DNA Evidence

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This episode is 24 minutes long.

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This episode was published on June 29, 2026.

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Thank you to Squarespace for supporting PBS. Go to https://www.squarespace.com/besmart for a free trial and use code BESMART to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓Follow me to Deep Look and...

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