Secrets of the Dead (PBS) - Dr. Crippen Episode

[4inziksych]

Did anybody else see this? I was wondering because it was about exonerating the famous British doctor convicted of murdering his wife 100 years ago. I was unconvinced of his innocence, partly because the exoneration hinged on DNA evidence from all that time ago proving that the body in his basement was male and therefore could not have been his wife.

Well, I would have believed the DNA evidence except that the scientist made a statement, something to the effect that there could have been no contamination and even if the original forensic scientist from the trial had accidently touched it, he would have left behind so little DNA it wouldn't have registered on the test. I'm thinking, what if he dropped it or sneezed on it or something? Did they even take as much care in those days, not knowing anything about DNA? Why would the scientist have otherwise said that? Also, the body was all moldy so contamination seems likely.

The other thing was, the detective went straight from the DNA results to a huge leap that he police planted the other evidence. I'm totally in agreement that police can be corrupt and it's possible, but I was not in any way convinced.

Anyway, I'm just curious what other people thought. If you didn't see it and you're curious, it's going to be on a few more times according to my Tivo.

[mattack]

I love this show. I think I first caught it several years ago, when it was VERY sporadically rerun. Now I've seen a bunch of them, and I should keep track of which episodes I've seen (I have a bunch listed in my iphone). I think there are a few that I've started to re-watch before realizing I'd seen it before.

[mattack]

Well, I would have believed the DNA evidence except that the scientist made a statement, something to the effect that there could have been no contamination and even if the original forensic scientist from the trial had accidently touched it, he would have left behind so little DNA it wouldn't have registered on the test. I'm thinking, what if he dropped it or sneezed on it or something? Did they even take as much care in those days, not knowing anything about DNA? Why would the scientist have otherwise said that? Also, the body was all moldy so contamination seems likely.

I think they meant that the in DNA sequencing process they can somehow separate out the different sets of DNA in there... and can take what is the majority of the DNA as the main sample.

At least that's what I think.. (and yes, I think this part of the process has advanced a lot since even the OJ trial).

[jwjody]

I might have to see if I can catch this later. I read about the Crippen case after watching the Pilot episode of Coupling. It was a very interesting case.

J

[mattack]

Woah, what did Coupling say about it?

[YCantAngieRead]

The Dr. Crippen story is fascinating. I wish I had caught this.

[jwjody]

Woah, what did Coupling say about it?

Steve was comparing his and Jane's relationship to that of the Crippen's. It was funny.

J