Forensic Fails
Forensic Files taught us that carpet fibers can solve murders, luminol never forgets, and there’s always just enough DNA left behind to crack the case.
But how much of that science actually holds up today?
On Forensic Fails, hosts Brian and Kristin revisit classic episodes of the cult-favorite true crime series Forensic Files and take a fresh look at the evidence behind the convictions. Each week, they reopen a case, break down the forensic techniques, and separate what still makes scientific sense from what might deserve a second opinion.
Brian brings a little bit of science. Kristin brings a whole lot of snark.
Together, they explore the fibers, footprints, fingerprints, bite marks, blood spatter, and DNA breakthroughs that defined an era of true crime television—while asking the questions viewers have been thinking for years.
If you're the type of person that falls asleep to late-night true crime television marathons, this podcast is for you.
So fire up your PCR machine and grab your evidence baggies. It’s time to reopen the files!
New episodes drop weekly.
For our website, socials, and where to listen, go to https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod
Questions? Comments? Please email us: forensicfailspod@gmail.com
Goes straight to the publisher. podnod takes nothing.
Hi guys! Like last week, we are sharing a rerun: this time it's our latest Patreon Bonus Episode! We are taking a hiatus for the next month, because, summer! Fear not: we will be back once the school year returns like a freshly sharpened pencil, sharing our snark and science with everyone. Like the song goes, we'll see yooooooou, in September!!!
It's summer and due to summer stuff, the Pod is taking a bit of a hiatus. Have no fear, we will return, but for now, we are going to share some awesome Patreon material. If you are a Patreon member, we have paused billing until our triumphant return, but you can still access everything there. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy our little convo about what's the better show: Seinfeld or Friends. Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
S2; E2: The Dirty Deed Big Patreon shout out to LITTLE SISTER! Thanks for listening and being a Patreon Supporter! Today we are in a quaint English village where gardens, dirt and pollen hold the key to today’s case. A missing couple, a sketchy son, and a visit from Clive from Season 1 are all waiting for you in today’s episode. Also, don’t go around telling your dates you’re a gynecologist. That’s just ewwww. Want to watch the episode? https://youtu.be/3VqeZEQAokI?si=nBs_9GEN8Wy7wCgv Want to read more about the crime? https://medium.com/@matesanz/the-spoilt-man-child-who-murdered-his-parents-when-they-cut-him-off-0dac3ec37988 And how about a little background info on the filming of the episode? https://www.mcall.com/1997/04/28/all-the-trapping-of-a-real-mystery-tv-crew-recreated-english-murder-in-bethlehem-township-woods-for-medical-whodunnit-program/ If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Special shoutout to our Peter Thomas level Patreon subscriber LITTLE SISTER!! Thank you for your support!! There is no regular episode this week. Instead, here’s a little sneak peak of what’s playing on Patreon, where we dropped a bonus episode. This month’s Patreon bonus episode brings us south to Texas where we dissect the absolutely unimaginable story of Taylor Parker, as told in the Netflix documentary, Maternal Instinct. This story is chock full of trigger warnings, so be prepared! And if you aren’t ready to commit to a full Patreon subscription, you can purchase episodes individually! How cool is that?? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod Watch the Netflix trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzW61JgRbNk Read more about the crime here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Reagan_Simmons-Hancock If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe, give us a 5-star review, and write a review! Join our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/987124207259697 Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
One of things I liked about summer as a kid (aside from no school) was reruns and being able to get caught up on tv shows I missed if I had been grounded (something that happened more often than not.) Of course, this is pre-VCR/DVR/streaming years. Since this week will mark the 250th birthday of the USA, we are taking the week off to celebrate a group of colonists who decided to try their hand at creating and running their own country. So, instead of a brand new episode of deep dives and snark, this week we are re-airing the very patriotic episode of Legionnaire’s Disease (which was S1; E7 for all of you Dear Listeners keeping track.) And this story takes place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1976 (200 years after Thomas Jefferson wrote a pretty awesome break up letter to England) and 50 years ago this month. So give it a listen, and worry not! We'll be back next week with some snarky, scientific awesomeness for your listening enjoyment! Happy Birthday, America! Special shoutout this week to our Peter Thomas level Patreon listener: Little Sister! We appreciate the support and the subscription!!! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod Join our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/987124207259697 Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
We’re back with Season 2!! In today’s episode, we travel to Tampa, Florida where women are being murdered, Glamour Shot backdrops are all the rage, porno music is the soundtrack du’jour and one of your podcasters may or may not have a bingo at the end of the hour. But the real highlight? Lisa McVey. Want to watch the episode? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRu5tRzD50U Big Patreon shout out to LITTLE SISTER! Thanks for listening and being a Patreon Supporter! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Our regular episode drops tomorrow, but in the meantime, here is a preview of our Patreon-exclusive Pre-Pod Pod. Want to hear the whole thing? Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod, where you can subscribe for as low as $5/month or purchase this single episode for $4. We’re back with our second season of Forensic Fails , and that means all new Pre-Pod Pod episodes. This week, Brian and Kristin discuss the rules of the road and bikes, the wonderful world of late 80s early 90s infomercials, a woman who uses pork as a weapon and an unfulfilled man makes a 911 call to plead his case. You won’t want to miss this! Special shoutout this week to our Peter Thomas level Patreon listener: Little Sister! We appreciate the support and the subscription!!! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Join our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/987124207259697 Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
In our season 1 wrap up, we break down our first 10 episodes by the numbers, talk about the highs and lows, the best and worst, discover where our listeners are tuning in from, discuss what we hope we see in season 2 and why we love what we do. Special shoutout this week to our Peter Thomas level Patreon listener: Little Sister! We appreciate the support and the subscription!!! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod Join our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/987124207259697 Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Our regular episode drops tomorrow, but in the meantime, here is a preview of our Patreon-exclusive Pre-Pod Pod. Want to hear the whole thing? Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod, where you can subscribe for as low as $5/month or purchase this single episode for $4. This week, Brian and Kristin discuss the ick that is the Red Delicious apple, the point where coffee becomes a dessert, and a New York Times article that teaches us that broken macaroni can pass as Legos. Special shoutout this week to our Peter Thomas level Patreon listener: Little Sister! We appreciate the support and the subscription!!! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/forensicfailspod Join our Facebook Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/987124207259697 Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Special shoutout to our Peter Thomas level Patreon subscriber LITTLE SISTER!! Thank you for your support! Brian and Kristin were busy this week recording and editing our Patreon-exclusive bonus episode on the popular Netflix documentary, The Crash. We have assembled some of our favorite clips to give you an idea of what’s in store. Like what you’re hearing? Head on over to our Patreon - www.patreon.com/ForensicFailsPod - and subscribe for as low as $5/month. Not interested in a monthly subscription but really want to hear our coverage of The Crash? You can also purchase that single episode for just $4! About this episode… It’s the second bonus episode for the Forensic Fails Podcast and we are hanging out in Strongsville Ohio to recap Netflix’s The Crash. One hour and 34 minutes of insanity. Join Brian and Kristin as they recap the fatal car crash in July 2022 that took the lives of two young men, and the absolutely bonkers case that follows. Read more here: https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/crime/2026/06/05/the-crash-netflix-steve-mackenzie-shirilla-cleveland-ohio-strongsville/90419047007/ https://www.tmz.com/2026/06/03/mackenzie-shirilla-dad-steve-contract-not-renewed-teaching-job/ ww.tmz.com/people/mackenzie-shirilla/ Finally, a huge shout out to this week’s sponsor, Cozy Earth. For the best bedding and loungewear money can buy, visit www.cozyearth.com/discount/forensic and use our discount code FORENSIC for 21% off! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5 star review! Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com
This is it! This is the one that Kristin has been waiting for!! In 1971, John List murdered his family, piled the bodies in the house, and seemingly disappeared into the night. For decades his location was a mystery. Did the case go cold? No. Did the police give up on finding him? Also, no. It took decades, determination, John Walsh ,and Frank Bender to finally bring John List back to NJ. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO OUR PATREON LISTENER LITTLE SISTER! THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR SUBSCRIPTION! Watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs_poAjvZ-o FBI – Facial Forensic Services (includes age progression / imaging work) https://le.fbi.gov/science-and-lab-resources/forensics Academic overview of forensic facial reconstruction (history + methods) https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/forensic-facial-reconstruction Peer-reviewed discussion of forensic facial comparison + age progression context https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8698381/ History of Breeze Knoll https://medium.com/@nightmarehousespod/the-legacy-of-breeze-knoll-an-architectural-gem-with-a-dark-history-2863efc0561d If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Beginning this week, we are going to start giving previews of the content that we release on Patreon. Here's a preview of our Pre-Pod Pod, which will launch tomorrow. In this week's Pre-Pod Pod, Brian and Kristin discuss the classic Thursday night NBC lineup - Seinfeld and Friends; two morons and alligator roadkill become a headline, and a suspended license makes a zoom court appearance while driving his car. Want to hear the whole thing? Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Paid members can get our weekly Pre-Pod Pod, early and ad-free access to regular episodes, as well as exclusive bonus episodes. At our highest tier, the Peter Thomas level, you'll get shouted out in our episodes and show notes. Speaking of which... Special shoutout this week to our first Peter Thomas level Patreon listener: Little Sister!! We appreciate the support and the subscription!! As always, if you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
We have some vacations planned over the next couple of weeks...both before and after the Memorial Day holiday, so as we did last week, we're going to be doing some encores of our favorite episodes. Please enjoy (re)listening to our very first bonus episode, The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. And it's a DOOZY! Come cruise through Boone County, West Virginia with Brian and Kristin and spend some time with the notorious White family. Crime…shootings…homemade tattoos…mountain tap dancing…and fiestas! So turn on those subtitles and buckle up for a great time! If you enjoy content like this, please subscribe to our Patreon...link below! Regardless, if you like what you are listening to, please subscribe, follow, and give us a 5-star review on your favorite podcast platform Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
We have some vacations planned over the next couple of weeks...both before and after the Memorial Day holiday, so for this week and next, we're going to be dropping some Patreon-exclusive content here on the main feed. This week, we are sharing one of our favorite Pre-Pod Pods. What’s a Pre-Pod Pod? Well, it’s our way of warming up for the real show…we sit down, discuss the week, give our hot take on whatever issue that’s holding court in our brain, and discuss some truly stupid criminals–after which, we decide the appropriate punishment for said morons. If you enjoy, please subscribe to our Patreon...link below! This week, Brian and Kristin wax poetic on the lost art of the TV theme song, the unobservant, selfish couple in the Pina Colada song, the insanity of an ambulance stolen by a naked bandit hopped up on Fabuloso, and an amorous couple breaking into a restaurant for some late night loving. If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Today we are in California in July of 1988. Women are being brutally attacked at night, maggots are all over the place, and a creepy guy is offering rides as far as El Centro. We learn everything we didn’t want to know about maggots, and discover that they may work just as hard as the detectives on the case. If you haven’t watched the episode and want to see what it’s all about: https://youtu.be/kW0vo_dJTvU?si=hraVJeNSwhPxHdBq If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Visit our sponsor: 🛒 Cozy Earth - Luxurious bamboo sheets, pajamas, & more 💰 Get 21% OFF | Promo Code: FORENSIC https://promocode.to/cozy-earth/forensic-9cy
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1776 was the birthplace of our nation. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1996 was the birthplace of Legionnaire’s Disease - a medical mystery that infected over 180 people and left 34 dead as a result. This week Brian and Kristin take a close look at bacteria, fancy hotels, Legionnaires and giggle at Peter saying “Super Gonorrhea.” If you haven’t watched the episode and want to see what we’re talking about… Legionnaires' Disease | S1 E7 | Forensic Files | FULL EPISODE If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Use our discount code and treat yourself to new sheets: cozyearth.com/discount/FORENSIC
Between the years 1984 and 1988, five women in Virgina were raped and strangled, which left law enforcement baffled by the lack of leads and evidence at the scenes. Brian does some research into the behavioral science of it all, Kristin is somewhat delighted the Oregon Trail graphics make a return, and DNA makes our ending possible. If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Use our discount code and treat yourself to new sheets: cozyearth.com/discount/FORENSIC
This week we are in Arizona - home of the Palo Verde tree which, as it turns out, is more than just something nice to look at. In 1992, single mother Denise Johnson, 32, was strangled outside Phoenix, Arizona. Unidentified seed pods found in the suspect's truck led investigators to ask a molecular geneticist to identify a tree from a "lineup." Kristin learns all about the beepers of the 90s, Brian explains the DNA workings of a tree, along with some musical stylings, and both of us hate the suspect, his facial hair, and his messy truck. If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe and give us a 5-star review! Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/ForensicFailsPod Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: https://www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast/ Get the rest of our links: https://linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com Use our discount code and treat yourself to new sheets: cozyearth.com/discount/FORENSIC
First off....why did we jump to Season 1 Episode 8? You’ll just have to listen and find out! “Sisters…sisters…there were never such devoted sisters…” (at least - that’s how the song goes…) In 1992, Jack Wilson, a 55 year old ophthalmologist, was found murdered in his Huntsville, Alabama home. The community was shocked, as he was well loved and respected, but then his wife, Betty, and her twin sister, Peggy, were arrested for orchestrating the crime! Two sisters, two trials, same crime, same evidence, a witness/informant/accomplice who is the reason we watch with subtitles, and a DA who can’t stop whining. Brian studies and explains the science behind blood spatter and Kristin reminisces about the days when Spiegel was all the rage for women of a certain age. If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe, give us a 5-star review, and tell a friend! To support the show, you can check out our Patreon for bonus content, as well as early and ad free access to all episodes: www.patreon.com/ForensicFailsPod You can also support us by checking out our sponsor, Cozy Earth. For the best bedding and loungewear money can buy, visit www.cozyearth.com/discount/forensic and use our discount code, FORENSIC, for 21% off! Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast Get the rest of our links: linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com
Our Patreon is now LIVE, so this, our very first BONUS episode, as well as this week’s Pre-Pod Pod, will be the LAST of our free Patreon previews. So don't miss out on the fun; go to www.patreon.com/ForensicFailsPod to sign-up, with options as low as $5. But fear not…our regular recap episodes will continue to drop here every Wednesday for free! It’s our very first bonus episode for our Patreon…but this month, you get it for free! And we are starting off with a classic (and it's a DOOZY) - The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia! Come cruise through Boone County, West Virginia with Brian and Kristin and spend some time with the notorious White family. Crime…shootings…homemade tattoos…mountain tap dancing…and fiestas! So turn on those subtitles and buckle up for a great time! If you like what you are listening to, please subscribe, give us a 5-star review, and tell a friend! To support the show, you can check out our Patreon for bonus content, as well as early and ad free access to all episodes: www.patreon.com/ForensicFailsPod You can also support us by checking out our sponsor, Cozy Earth. For the best bedding and loungewear money can buy, visit www.cozyearth.com/discount/forensic and use our discount code, FORENSIC, for 21% off! Check out our Instagram: @forensicfailspod Engage with other fans: www.reddit.com/r/forensicfailspodcast Get the rest of our links: linktr.ee/forensicfailspod Send us an email: forensicfailspod@gmail.com