DNA evidence is not always infallible | Forensic Files

I'm Richard slesinger 48 Hours ever since DNA was introduced it's been considered the gold standard in forensic
science but it is not infallible if mistakes are made in handling DNA it can convict an innocent man and the central
question in this case is did DNA identify an elusive killer or did it lead an innocent man to be accused of a
horrible crime it was 1978 when 15-year-old Barbara Nantes and her 17-year-old boyfriend Jim alt were
attacked as they slept on Tory Pine State beach near San Diego Jim was beaten almost to death but did survive
Barbara didn't she was sexually assaulted and beaten and strangled one of her breasts had been
mutilated 6 years later in 1984 14-year-old Clare Hoff was murdered on the same beach in the details of that
crime were scarily similar to Barbara's there was no solid evidence at the time the cases went cold for decades but then
in 2012 the cases were reopened and new DNA testing revealed two suspects one was a
convicted rapist the other suspect was a man named Kevin Brown he had been a criminalist in the San Diego Police
Department lab that accusation was was shocking but the defense argues that cases built on
misinterpretation and rumors about Kevin Brown's life and before you Chu that up
to just some defense tactic listen to what two criminalists who worked in the same lab as Kevin Brown have to say they
will cast some serious doubts on the evidence in this case that's this week on 48 hours

DNA is the gold standard for many cold case investigators - but what happens if police get it wrong? Correspondent Richard Schlesinger discusses the grave consequences. For more, watch "Blood in the Sand" " airing Saturday, June 9 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.

Brief Summary

DNA evidence in two murders raises questions of innocence and mishandling.

Key points

The Gold Standard of Forensics. DNA testing is considered the gold standard in forensic science, but it has its flaws.
A Horrific Crime. In 1978, Barbara Nantes was murdered in a brutal attack that left her boyfriend severely injured.
Reopened Cases. In 2012, new DNA testing revealed two suspects in the cold cases of Barbara and Clare.
Doubts on the Evidence. Two criminalists from the same lab as suspect Kevin Brown raise serious doubts about the evidence.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

DNA can convict an innocent man.

0:11WatchApr 28, 2016

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