Update: I’ve finished the first season, and while I still stand by my opinion below, I am happy to find they’ve discovered the abysmal state of how we go about enacting criminal justice (and a more perfect double entendre has never existed). Consider this fact. Every single time we engage this system, it has already failed us. The very use of this system is the admission that something that we assign a catastrophic outcome to has happened in spite of its goals of protecting us. Instead what we are really doing is enacting a ritual of gotcha where those who cannot hope to have the same power as the state are at the mercy of a system designed to bring all its guns to bear onto each individual who has the bad fortune to find themselves in the crosshairs. Then we can implement a punishment that will supposedly prevent them and others from ever doing such things again; a premise that assumes people behave antisocially due to their disregard for law and order and everyone else fears the repercussions so much that they behave. It’s quite the abusive philosophy. In regards to the labs, they should be independent entities that are not only reliant upon the state for funding and that defendants have an equal opportunity to use in addition to equal access to experts. It’s the entire system that is wrong, not just the parts or some individuals. It’s constantly doing exactly what it was designed to do. In fact it’s the reason why we found it necessary to include individual inalienable rights into our constitution to give ourselves some cover and protection from this kind of state control. Otherwise what exactly would we be needing protection from? Once you zoom way out and think about the “but why?” of how we are governing ourselves, it’s just taken for granted. First, this story is incredibly important for true justice and the lives of those who have been broken on all sides. There’s nothing more gratifying than finding a lost crime that can still be resolved. Also the clarification and making history more accurate and therefore more useful to our present. My frustration, which I find in so many podcasts, is the assumption that the audience is ignorant and uninformed. Just because the podcaster is not aware of something doesn’t make it necessary to speak to the audience as if they need spoon feeding. It’s the patronizing way that much of what is crucial to this story is conveyed by the narrator. It’s so infuriating to hear the snide judgment calls from these two people before they even spend time learning on their own about the issues that are germane to the story they are trying to tell. For example after finding this Pandora’s Box they spend, according to them, 4 (not 7, not 12 etc) hours digging through these vintage documents and because the evidence is not immediately clear (which due to their admission of scientific ignorance is not surprising) they leave immediately afterwards doubting the credibility of the woman that they tracked down, not her coming to them with her story, they found her. Then she mentions the documents and miraculously they still exist and they even more miraculously get them without any pushback. Everything this woman has said so far has been true…. Why are they suspiciously doubtful about her? Anyway, I am only 3 episodes in and even though I want to hear this story from original participants, the snark factor and the “I’m so confused, I can’t be bothered to research basic serological facts, it’s so hard..” nonsense and the assumption that this audience is just as dumb and lame and therefore will somehow relate to her narrative told in this chummy “ha ha, we’re all dumb about this, am I right” manner, obviously I am at least irritated enough to feel compelled to write this out. Great story, but never patronize your audience or find yourself with the best story in the world but no one wants to listen to you tell it. Stop pretending to be dumb. I hope it’s pretentious. Otherwise…..?

This is one of the best told, throughly explained, carefully researched podcasts I have heard. What sets it apart from many others is the interest not just in what happened but why, and what could or should happen next (sadly, don’t hold your breath — the levers of justice are nearly stuck)

It’s extremely disappointing that so little care was given to how this important story was presented. The podcasters present as both immature and unprofessional. Extremely difficult to listen to the upspeak, vocal fry, and absurd way they insert themselves into the story.

The attempts to blame law enforcement are ridiculous. The round about way, often contradicting the previous reason made, to make police to blame makes me sick 🤢. Some how police are expected to mind read, see the future, and interrogate a csc victim. Mary Jane alters evidence? Police pressure is why. Victim IDs suspect but is wrong? Police fault. Victim IDs attacker on elevator? Police should have known she lied. Police do penis lineup to further ID suspect? How dare they put the victim through this!!! Nightmare for the wrongly accused and charged. Even worse there story gets used for political banter

It reminds me of “in the dark,” except this narrator has a much better/less annoying voice. You can tell they really did their homework, and it’s a fascinating story! It really shows that people aren’t just good or bad, they’re complex and flawed. Good people do bad things for strange reasons.

I’m 1/2 way through and throughly invested! Excellent reporting, narrating, and engaging of the audience. Thank you for what you are doing. This is not just entertainment - you are positively affecting lives.

I’m obsessed with this team. Please make another season soon!

This was a great listen with good research. Captivating! I’m hoping for a season 2!

Engrossing and informative

This was good until the last episode where everything was blamed on white supremacy.

Absolutely phenomenal podcast. Desperately looking forward to season 2.

I am a daily listener of non-fiction pods, and a snob for ratings of 4.5+ only ( I don’t hesitate to abandon a show after 4-5 episodes if it’s not amazing). This series was produced remarkably well! It embodies all of the necessary factors: high-quality journalism, narration, entertainment, personality, flow, presentation & clarity of characters and facts, etc. Job well done, and I look forward to the next season!

Half of the episodes are ads, recaps, music, etc. Each episode has so little content

This is a classic government workplace culture. Many individuals get in to the career with ambition and motivation to make a change in system. There is a fine line to walk though in these careers that are so closely wrapped in with politics. Because even though there is ADA federal rule, or whistleblower “protections”, theres no fine print on those posters to warn you of the reality of those. The irony that the woman Gina sacrificed her career, reputation and more for bringing up these issues decades ago and innocent people had their lives stolen from one woman that knew the political game and she knew that the politic game was more protected and valued than moral and ethics. It doesn’t sound like this lab has learned anything and hopefully their accreditation gets pulled. I hope the narrative changes and Gina is recognized. Gina fan here in AK!

I really wanted to listen to this but I found the narrator’s vocal fry distracting and irritating.

I enjoyed this podcast. It was very well researched. My only complaint is that it is never just said that the woman being covered for these forensic crimes is racist. There is a reason her victims are all black and I feel we as a society should stop tip toeing around these OBVIOUS facts

Listened to the entire series in spite of Tessa’s increasing and annoying editorialization with each episode, culminating in (SPOILER ALERT) a suggestion by an interviewee in the final episode that the entire prison system should be done away with because of “white supremacy”. 🙄 GMAFB. This was an important story that should have been told by an actual reporter rather than an activist. I won’t be listening to future seasons and encourage anyone else who listens to be prepared for low-key anti-LEO propaganda with a touch of anti-America 5th-wave feminism sprinkled in.

Thoughtfully and professionally researched podcast, told in a very engaging way. Relieved it was not a classic true crime story, but rather a brave investigation that didn’t shy away from the truth… while still adding humor!

Very well researched, written and explained. Highly recommend this podcast💜.

I binged this in one day. Excellent podcast. This issue is so important. Please continue to report on this. I want more accountability and real transparency and change.

Great podcast and really enjoyed the reporting and honesty of conflicted feelings.

I binged these episodes. Information was delivered well.

Better to have 6 episodes that are 45 minutes than 12 that are 25.

Hoping there’s more seasons! Great investigation reporting and I really enjoy the host’s voice while telling the story. A new followed podcast!

Behind the scenes look at true forensic lab work & DNA evidence. Miscarriages of justice & coverup. A real eye opener‼️

This was a great series right up until everything with “the system” was blamed on race. That was very disappointing.

This is work with real facts and real conclusions. You aren’t following people around and being annoying making assumptions. You are rolling up your sleeves and actually adding value by creating an in-depth story using a creative timeline format. It’s dope.

Very impressive investigative journalism.

It’s heartbreaking. When will we do better?

The topic was very relevant, enlightening, also horrifying. Excellent twist in the story line. Very well told, enjoyed the reporting and the editing! This will stay with me for a long time.

I found this to be so interesting and eye opening about how many people are wrongly convicted and how various forms of evidence can be falsified or misleading.

My first review too (I think). Listen to all types of wrongful conviction type podcasts. Really Liked this one as it was a bit different from most. Interesting and informative and well-done. Like the music, the host, the quality (I could hear and understand everyone you interviewed). Well done.

This is the first time I’ve written a review but I loved this podcast so much I felt like I must! Great reporting, editing and a much needed story! I wish every juror was required to listen to this.

Wow. Digging. Not bias based. Not dramatic. No fluffy chatter. Unbelievable “story” that is scarily true. Don Scott was amazing in the last episode - powerful words.

Great journalism ! Loved it!

This is a really well told story. I didn’t want it to end. I hope next season they go further into the science of DNA, the issues that come up in court cases, and how results can be manipulated. I love well researched podcasts. I was not disappointed.

How many more innocent prisoners remain incarcerated due to this woman? Institutional laziness. I’ve lived in Richmond since 1976 and, to my own shame, I never paid much attention to this story. Admissible kept my attention as I binged on this series of episodes. I’m completely convinced that the American carceral is broken. It must be rehabilitated from police departments all the way up to the Supreme Court.

Great work to the team on this podcast. I’ve gone thru episode 11 and it keeps getting more interesting bc to the detailed investigative work. This podcast will blow up and create what i hope will be a ripple to some sort of meaningful change. We will see this reporting all over the press soon, a must-listen for Virginia residents and those questioning reform over abolition of these institutions.

Very interesting story. The depth of your research is quite impressive. Loved it!

Well done. The investigation undertaken to make this podcast was much more than other podcasts. The podcaster made numerous personal visits with witnesses and she spoke to many persons involved in the story. The story is interesting and I can't wait to see Episode 9. Updated. I'm now finished with Episode 11 and things just seem so much worse for our justice system. More cases of this ilk from other labs. Thank goodness for The Innocence project and this podcast for helping make the public aware. It's sickening to learn of so much injustice. If you get a chance, read Peter Neufeld's book, The Innocence Project. To the podcast team, PLEASE don't let so much time lapse between the release of your episodes. This is keeping the podcast out of the top podcasts listing. Please release episodes more frequently.

You are truly amazing for bringing light to a situation that hurt so many while idolizing and praising the ones responsible for all the pain. Gina sacrificed so much for the victims of Mary’s deceit and she was only criticized and punished for it until you showed up with your cape on.

You guys!!! Score one for the little guys! Talk about true crime tragedy…this is it. Obviously expecting educated people to do the right thing is NEVER a good idea. The one woman who tried to stop this inhumane monster was made into a villain. Just thinking about the lives, the years she destroyed, it’s incomprehensible. Knowing that her own crimes were being covered up by the gatekeepers, despicable! It’s always going to be about power and money. Your podcast is impactful and impressive. DO BETTER, HUMANS. 💔

This is amazing. I’m mad, I’m sad. How do people do this? Gina is a hero

Things take a turn and it’s so perfectly reported and investigated. This is podcasting at its best, bravo to Tessa and the team. Would listen to anything you do next.

Responsible reporting and excellently told.

Loved the podcast. Showed how the justice system can be messed up from a dna point. Scientists aren’t perfect either. Our system is often failing because samples can be lost or miscorrectly marked etc.

… thank you.

I have NEVER heard of this & I went in like oh another podcast I’m not gonna like but I love the way it was done! From the skepticism to the devils advocate without saying playing devils advocate to the absolute lengths ppl will go to be recognized or put in a position omg sooo good I want more from you guys

Great podcast, thoroughly researched and reported in a very entertaining package. You know how some podcasts are like soap operas, you can walk out of the room for a minute or two and come back and really haven’t missed anything? Not this one. You’ll want to rewind it so you don’t miss a word, it’s that concise. I just finished episode 9 (started listening yesterday) and realized with horror that it says season one has nine episodes. I hope there’s not a giant break before the next season starts, I need to know what happens next!

Errrrrrrrgggvvvvvvyyyyyyy