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Inside the Cell: The Dark Side of Forensic DNA
Josiah Sutton was convicted of rape. He was five inches shorter and 65 pounds lighter than the suspect described by the victim, but at trial a lab analyst testified that his DNA was found at the crime scene. His case looked like many others -- arrest, swab, match, conviction. But there was just one problem -- Sutton was innocent.
We think of DNA forensics as an infallible science that catches the bad guys and exonerates the innocent. But when the science goes rogue, it can lead to a gross miscarriage of justice. Erin Murphy exposes the dark side of forensic DNA crime labs that receive little oversight and produce inconsistent results; prosecutors who push to test smaller and poorer-quality samples, inviting error and bias; law-enforcement officers who compile massive, unregulated, and racially skewed DNA databases; and industry lobbyists who push policies of "stop and spit."
DNA testing is rightly seen as a transformative technological breakthrough, but we should be wary of placing such a powerful weapon in the hands of the same broken criminal justice system that has produced mass incarceration, privileged government interests over personal privacy, and all too often enforced the law in a biased or unjust manner. Inside the Cell exposes the truth about forensic DNA, and shows us what it will take to harness the power of genetic identification in service of accuracy and fairness.
We think of DNA forensics as an infallible science that catches the bad guys and exonerates the innocent. But when the science goes rogue, it can lead to a gross miscarriage of justice. Erin Murphy exposes the dark side of forensic DNA crime labs that receive little oversight and produce inconsistent results; prosecutors who push to test smaller and poorer-quality samples, inviting error and bias; law-enforcement officers who compile massive, unregulated, and racially skewed DNA databases; and industry lobbyists who push policies of "stop and spit."
DNA testing is rightly seen as a transformative technological breakthrough, but we should be wary of placing such a powerful weapon in the hands of the same broken criminal justice system that has produced mass incarceration, privileged government interests over personal privacy, and all too often enforced the law in a biased or unjust manner. Inside the Cell exposes the truth about forensic DNA, and shows us what it will take to harness the power of genetic identification in service of accuracy and fairness.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2015
54 people are currently reading
1116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 8, 2019
We readers of course associate forensic DNA analysis with awful crime procedural TV shows and think of it as an infallible sort of wizardry. "We've got a match. Case solved. (makes bad pun, puts on sunglasses) YYYEEEAAAHHH!!!! (classic rock song plays)".
In that sense, this book is a necessary reality check, showing how flawed DNA can be as evidence through bias, human error and outright fraud. The book can run a little long with its description of science and legal codes, but the moments where concepts are illustrated with actual examples of people wronged through faulty DNA evidence are very effective. It's scary stuff because it brings to mind some sort of science fiction Gattaca dystopia where one's DNA can be accessed via a central database and used for all sorts of authoritarian ends. If nothing else, it shows how easily an innocent person could be condemned based on bad science. As a call for reform and as a general primer on the science, it's a book that works well in its aims, but it would be even stronger with more anecdotes and real-life stories to offset some of the dense exposition.
In that sense, this book is a necessary reality check, showing how flawed DNA can be as evidence through bias, human error and outright fraud. The book can run a little long with its description of science and legal codes, but the moments where concepts are illustrated with actual examples of people wronged through faulty DNA evidence are very effective. It's scary stuff because it brings to mind some sort of science fiction Gattaca dystopia where one's DNA can be accessed via a central database and used for all sorts of authoritarian ends. If nothing else, it shows how easily an innocent person could be condemned based on bad science. As a call for reform and as a general primer on the science, it's a book that works well in its aims, but it would be even stronger with more anecdotes and real-life stories to offset some of the dense exposition.
June 30, 2022
DNF dulu karena pusing sama topiknya yang rumit dan bahasanya yang sulit 🥹
So far bagus sih isinya, tentang DNA forensik yang kadang "salah sasaran", ditambahi contoh kasus-kasus yang bikin seru dan penasaran, plus penjelasannya yang lengkap.
Mungkin kapan-kapan kalo lagi mood baca yang serius-serius, bakal aku lanjutin lagi. 🥺💖
So far bagus sih isinya, tentang DNA forensik yang kadang "salah sasaran", ditambahi contoh kasus-kasus yang bikin seru dan penasaran, plus penjelasannya yang lengkap.
Mungkin kapan-kapan kalo lagi mood baca yang serius-serius, bakal aku lanjutin lagi. 🥺💖
Read
April 5, 2021This was a fascinating and impeccably researched and argued book that has definitely changed (reformed!) my true crime processing habits. I did have a hard time understanding a lot of the science (my fault, not the book's) and Murphy's argument grows slightly repetitive; ultimately, I might have preferred this as a longform article. I don't regret reading the book, though, and now have many facts to relay to everyone I know that make me sound like an internet conspiracy theorist. DON'T trust the government!
February 13, 2024
This was most definitely for a class
May 26, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
Although I'm legally trained and only handle civil suit (so far!) but I'm also interested in biology and how it plays a role in criminal prosecution.
Long before finding this book, I already knew many aspects of forensic science are on shaky grounds and/or total bollocks e.g. bite mark, footwear analysis, hair comparison and handwriting analysis.
So, I purchased this book from Bookxcess for only RM19.90, thinking that it won't teach me much about DNA. Boy oh boy, how wrong was I!
Fans of American TV shows have this wrong impression that DNA is a straightforward science. You swab the blood drop from a murder scene, send to lab and you get result which point to the murderer. However, reality is far more complex than fiction.
When your blood is collected for medical tests, it is stored in a sterile test tube immediately and your full name is written there. When blood spot is swabbed for analysis, however, it is already exposed to water, humidity, air etc for hours, days or even months which affect the quality and quantity of the cells.
Prosecutors, analysts and police officers hell bent on closing the case then relies on low-copy (LCN) DNA testing - analysis based on the presence of less than 200 pg (roughly 30 cells) of material instead of the recommended 500-2000 pg. This highly criticized method is then compared to national database, which as expected, caused many wrong matches and wrongful conviction.
Contamination, distribution, negligence of analyst, fraud, planting of DNA evidence, misrepresentation of mathematical probability etc are also major problems when it comes to DNA evidence in court.
I was shocked and angry with the many cases cited here. Several men have been imprisoned for more than 25 years for crimes they didn't commit.
I highly recommend this book to everyone especially public prosecutors, judges and defence lawyers. Legal practitioners are fairly ignorant when it comes to maths and science but this is an important book!
It's only May and I can confidently say this is going to be my #1 favorite book for 2021.
Read from 12 - 26 May.
Although I'm legally trained and only handle civil suit (so far!) but I'm also interested in biology and how it plays a role in criminal prosecution.
Long before finding this book, I already knew many aspects of forensic science are on shaky grounds and/or total bollocks e.g. bite mark, footwear analysis, hair comparison and handwriting analysis.
So, I purchased this book from Bookxcess for only RM19.90, thinking that it won't teach me much about DNA. Boy oh boy, how wrong was I!
Fans of American TV shows have this wrong impression that DNA is a straightforward science. You swab the blood drop from a murder scene, send to lab and you get result which point to the murderer. However, reality is far more complex than fiction.
When your blood is collected for medical tests, it is stored in a sterile test tube immediately and your full name is written there. When blood spot is swabbed for analysis, however, it is already exposed to water, humidity, air etc for hours, days or even months which affect the quality and quantity of the cells.
Prosecutors, analysts and police officers hell bent on closing the case then relies on low-copy (LCN) DNA testing - analysis based on the presence of less than 200 pg (roughly 30 cells) of material instead of the recommended 500-2000 pg. This highly criticized method is then compared to national database, which as expected, caused many wrong matches and wrongful conviction.
Contamination, distribution, negligence of analyst, fraud, planting of DNA evidence, misrepresentation of mathematical probability etc are also major problems when it comes to DNA evidence in court.
I was shocked and angry with the many cases cited here. Several men have been imprisoned for more than 25 years for crimes they didn't commit.
I highly recommend this book to everyone especially public prosecutors, judges and defence lawyers. Legal practitioners are fairly ignorant when it comes to maths and science but this is an important book!
It's only May and I can confidently say this is going to be my #1 favorite book for 2021.
Read from 12 - 26 May.
February 8, 2018
I'm recommending a book that I've read only half of but will now be returning to the library.
That's because what I've read so far is so convincing, and so demoralizing, that I can't continue.
If you don't read the book, here's what you need to know:
1. The use of DNA evidence in court can be so unreliable as to be almost indistinguishable from fraud. Between the imprecise collection of DNA at the crime scene, the faulty testing of it by labs that don't follow their own protocols, the lack of oversight over the labs, the analysis of the tests that can vary depending on the analyst, the incompetence of some lab techs (look up Serrita Mitchell), the lack of quality control in the labs, and the interpretation of the lab results by supervisors who can choose to ignore results that don't conform to their opinion -- all documented in the book -- there's enough room for error to make one question DNA testing altogether.
2. If you ever find yourself as a defendant and DNA evidence is introduced, be sure your lawyer understands the science AND is good with numbers and statistics. Otherwise, you're toast.
We'd like to think DNA has freed a lot of innocent people from prison. The book cautions us that it has probably also put innocent people into prison.
Kudos to author Erin Murphy for bringing this crucial subject to our attention, and for breaking down the science so it's understandable by the layman. She correctly does not want the use of DNA testing to stop, but to be used with scientific rigor.
This is a book for everyone in law enforcement and justice to read and debate, and the rest of us to understand.
That's because what I've read so far is so convincing, and so demoralizing, that I can't continue.
If you don't read the book, here's what you need to know:
1. The use of DNA evidence in court can be so unreliable as to be almost indistinguishable from fraud. Between the imprecise collection of DNA at the crime scene, the faulty testing of it by labs that don't follow their own protocols, the lack of oversight over the labs, the analysis of the tests that can vary depending on the analyst, the incompetence of some lab techs (look up Serrita Mitchell), the lack of quality control in the labs, and the interpretation of the lab results by supervisors who can choose to ignore results that don't conform to their opinion -- all documented in the book -- there's enough room for error to make one question DNA testing altogether.
2. If you ever find yourself as a defendant and DNA evidence is introduced, be sure your lawyer understands the science AND is good with numbers and statistics. Otherwise, you're toast.
We'd like to think DNA has freed a lot of innocent people from prison. The book cautions us that it has probably also put innocent people into prison.
Kudos to author Erin Murphy for bringing this crucial subject to our attention, and for breaking down the science so it's understandable by the layman. She correctly does not want the use of DNA testing to stop, but to be used with scientific rigor.
This is a book for everyone in law enforcement and justice to read and debate, and the rest of us to understand.
February 10, 2016
As a geneticist with a long-time interest in DNA forensics, this was a great book to read. Although the average reader could definitely read this book, some genetics background helps a lot, especially when Murphy discusses some of the more esoteric problems with the interpretation of DNA evidence. Regardless, this is an excellent book. Not only does it clearly show the potential power of DNA forensics in solving crimes, it also makes clear the many pitfalls in the use of this kind of evidence in the hands of poorly trained or sloppy lab technicians. He also makes the important point that as good as DNA evidence is, it is only as good as the justice system itself and use of DNA evidence is open to abuse.
The think I appreciate most about this book is that Murphy thoroughly references all the information he shares, so there is no doubt that it is legitimate. This gives weight not only to his criticisms of the system, but also to his suggestions for improvement. DNA forensic evidence has shown itself extremely useful, and if we clean up the problems in the forensic laboratory community, it could be that much more useful.
The think I appreciate most about this book is that Murphy thoroughly references all the information he shares, so there is no doubt that it is legitimate. This gives weight not only to his criticisms of the system, but also to his suggestions for improvement. DNA forensic evidence has shown itself extremely useful, and if we clean up the problems in the forensic laboratory community, it could be that much more useful.
October 19, 2020
There is a lack of confidence in many public institutions. From our political leaders to the police to the Supreme Court to the media, many people no longer trust that these institutions are doing what they can and should be doing. Erin Murphy's book on the shortcomings of forensic science adds one more pinch of doubt to the toxic cultural stew that America has become, giving the lie to the notion that because forensic evidence and processes have progressed over the years—a notion that has been bolstered by many enduringly popular crime dramas—that it is sacrosanct at this point. It turns out it is not.
The book covers several areas, including the differences between forensic and medical DNA—the latter of which is often complete and makes for much less guesswork—the misunderstanding and misuse of certain terminology and probabilities between the legal system and the crime labs, the backlog in things like rape kit testing. Most interestingly to me was the idea of shedders versus non-shedders and how because some people's DNA sheds like a dog in the spring, it can end up in places they've never been, thus, leading to numerous mistaken accusations and arrests.
While the book deals with many specific scientific ideas (and this is actually the area where I think it could have done a better job walking my scientifically illiterate brain step by step through some of the basics of biology), many of the problems come down to the same problems so many other occupations have: poor accountability, basic corruption, and a general lack of funding. Maybe one day we can have nice things.
The book covers several areas, including the differences between forensic and medical DNA—the latter of which is often complete and makes for much less guesswork—the misunderstanding and misuse of certain terminology and probabilities between the legal system and the crime labs, the backlog in things like rape kit testing. Most interestingly to me was the idea of shedders versus non-shedders and how because some people's DNA sheds like a dog in the spring, it can end up in places they've never been, thus, leading to numerous mistaken accusations and arrests.
While the book deals with many specific scientific ideas (and this is actually the area where I think it could have done a better job walking my scientifically illiterate brain step by step through some of the basics of biology), many of the problems come down to the same problems so many other occupations have: poor accountability, basic corruption, and a general lack of funding. Maybe one day we can have nice things.
March 28, 2023
62/100
Long and tantalizing read where it's barely understandable unless you know forensic DNA testing. Muddied down by over redundant case citings and about 80+ times I thought: "you made your point".
I give it a halfway decent rating for the effort it took and the true value this book provides but I myself have a bias against misinformed opinions and statements that do not equally cover each side. I get this book highlights the dark side of forensic DNA but in all academic literature, it does not hold value if you show one side of a coin. You need to pay attention to every aspect that can count as a critical piece. Give this novel to a misinformed person and you add fuel to a deadly fire. Not every DNA analysis puts an innocent person in jail and I hope the world realizes both understandings f the double-edged sword that is forensics.
Albeit, the chapters are well thought out and the writing is well-done. It's a good novel for those in forensics and wants to be a part of forensic DNA analysis
Long and tantalizing read where it's barely understandable unless you know forensic DNA testing. Muddied down by over redundant case citings and about 80+ times I thought: "you made your point".
I give it a halfway decent rating for the effort it took and the true value this book provides but I myself have a bias against misinformed opinions and statements that do not equally cover each side. I get this book highlights the dark side of forensic DNA but in all academic literature, it does not hold value if you show one side of a coin. You need to pay attention to every aspect that can count as a critical piece. Give this novel to a misinformed person and you add fuel to a deadly fire. Not every DNA analysis puts an innocent person in jail and I hope the world realizes both understandings f the double-edged sword that is forensics.
Albeit, the chapters are well thought out and the writing is well-done. It's a good novel for those in forensics and wants to be a part of forensic DNA analysis
January 14, 2020
This book was a fascinating, interesting, frightening, and ultimately very comprehensive look at not only how Forensic DNA differs from ancestry dot com DNA; it cover the sometimes flawed methods of recovery, uses at trial, mismanagement of labs, lack of any oversight of the labs, storage, statistics... I could go on. If you’re arrested or on a jury don’t you dare think DNA is going to solve that crime or solve your dilemma to lay blame or find the defendant guilty or innocent.
I have a friend whose job is to analyze forensic DNA and testify in court. I know he takes his job very seriously. All I can say is RESPECT, MAN!!! I fear he’s fighting an uphill battle.
I’ve only given it 4 ⭐️ because at was (for me. It was probably needed!) sometimes dull. Not often ! I did really enjoy it.
I have a friend whose job is to analyze forensic DNA and testify in court. I know he takes his job very seriously. All I can say is RESPECT, MAN!!! I fear he’s fighting an uphill battle.
I’ve only given it 4 ⭐️ because at was (for me. It was probably needed!) sometimes dull. Not often ! I did really enjoy it.
April 5, 2022
OUTSTANDING and super informative. If you're one of those persons that buys into the (largely Hollywood perpetuated) notion that DNA evidence is a "slam dunk" in crime solving and courtroom cases, THINK AGAIN! Professor Erin E. Murphy is and expert in every aspect of DNA use in our criminal system and you will be astounded in just how UNRELIABLY implemented, mishandled, and (often wrongfully) relied upon in legal matters. NUMEROUS wrongful incarcerations...lives destroyed...you name it...all due to mishandling and blithe acceptance of the perception that if DNA evidence is present then all else is thrown out the window. VERY readable and highly interesting. You will be soundly informed by reading this. HIGHLY recommended.
December 27, 2020
This is primarily a strong reference and guide for specialists interested in the details of how crime labs and prosecutors fumble DNA evidence and overlook its many limitations. But if you’re interested in the topic it’s exhaustive and persuasive. More than anything it’s a compelling case for more money: more money for crime scene investigators to reliably collect evidence, more money for independent crime labs to evaluate the evidence, more money for public defenders to challenge and scrutinize the evidence, and more money for prosecutors to comply with more and more demanding discovery requests.
January 22, 2020
I came across this book in an article about Rapid DNA machines. Machines that will run a DNA sample in about an hour and a half with the only human contribution being taking the sample and putting it into the machine. Inside the Cell tells of the absolute worse side of the use of forensic DNA including bad labs, inappropriate sampling and testing and just plain bad science. It also tells of the potentially harmful side of DNA databases that everyone seems to use these days to find their ancestry. Although my interest is work related, I think most people would find this interesting.
October 9, 2022
This is a really important book that I didn't enjoy reading much. I think everyone should read it to better understand the limits of DNA evidence -- if you could be on a jury, you should understand what those limits are. The author does a great job of spelling them out. The problem is that I thought the book was a little too dense in some places, and included too many repetitive examples in others. Nonetheless, I have to recommend it, even if you skim a good deal of it. DNA is an amazing forensic tool, but it's not without its flaws.
June 24, 2019
While this book could be pretty dry at times making the reading slow, it had a large amount of information within. I learned quite a bit. We have been deceived by television and some prosecutors at the reliability of DNA forensics. I am appalled that our cell phones are more protected by the law than our DNA, regardless of the reason our DNA is being taken by law enforcement. While it's definitely not a page turner all the time, it's chock full of great information that will blow your mind.
May 19, 2022
This is a subject I'm very interested in and I only read nonfiction, but this is one of the worst written books I have ever read and I lost interest in it (but finished it) about halfway through and got so upset at the grammatical errors and convoluted sentences, paragraphs that made no sense. Some people should be subjects of books, some people should be interviewed for books, some people shouldn't write books. Erin Murphy falls into all three categories.
April 27, 2018
It's an excellent read and I highly recommend it. You'll learn about how the use of DNA in the justice system can be a crap game and the players rig the game on purpose or by accident. Scary but you NEED to know this info.
September 11, 2018
There are a lot of better, interesting books to read about Forensics and DNA. It is a bit too textbook-y and was a chore to read. The information is pretty extensive and relevant, but the editing could be better
June 12, 2023
Could have used a little bit more biology seeing the title, but interesting nonetheless
July 2, 2023
This is interesting even tho there are A LOT of things I don't really understand
November 1, 2024
okay sort of absorbed the stuff about matching loci!!!!
September 10, 2018
This book is exciting AND disturbing. To think that MUCH--if not most--criminal, in particular, DNA testing is REPLETE with opportunity for error, misinterpretation, and downright LYING all to save face and maintain accreditation in the field of DNA testing/research for those clinics and agencies that run these tests (especially for prosecutors and other "interested" law enforcement personnel. It appears there just aren't the resources to oversee/scrutinize this ultra sensitive science that is VERY subject to contamination and falsification. There have been many people falsely accused and incarcerated because of how loosely tests are verified. What's worse is the government has complete control over criminal DNA testing and isn't obligated to reveal wrong doings to the public!!
January 23, 2017
Excellent! An in-depth look at forensic DNA work. The complexity of these analyses were surprising to me although they probably shouldn't have been. The book makes a case for how important such technology can be to the justice system given the proper circumstances. However, the general public's confidence in it as infallible is very misplaced. The complexity and lack of proper control and oversight of laboratories leads to highly variable results which can result in both erroneous convictions and erroneous acquittals if it is viewed as somehow superior to other evidence. Overall, a very worthwhile read.
January 20, 2016
Scary, scary, scary. Erin E. Murphy lays out for readers the corruption, sloppiness and error that can plague DNA testing and its use in the criminal justice system. Inside the Cell can be a tad dry for non-science folks, but keep going -- everyone should be aware of the way DNA testing can be and is manipulated, its racial implications and the additional bias it can inject into an already prosecution-oriented justice system.
August 30, 2020
"...no scientific method is error-free. And no human being applying that method can consistently do so error-free, either. Error is an inherent part of any scientific endeavour; the goal is to seek it out and minimize it. Yet courts have largely turned a blind eye. And in doing so, they have perpetuated the myth that DNA evidence is "virtually infallible", when in reality it can be quite flawed."
March 21, 2016
Want a book that brings a desperately needed shot of reality to cheezy CSI shows? This book goes well beyond. Unless you are already extremely familiar with this topic, then this book will make you question your view of the justice system and certainly how you see DNA evidence. I only wish the book had compared DNA evidence with eye-witness evidence which has been profoundly researched.
December 8, 2016
I was really interested in the science part and tore through the first 3/4 of the book, the last part about regulations and laws was a slog. Well informed, and well written. Completely changed my outlook on the credibility of DNA evidence. Not a book that makes you feel good about the world we live in.
February 26, 2023
This is a must-read for criminal law practitioners who encounter DNA testing in their work. It weaves together policy concerns, case anecdotes, and scientific explanation (in an approachable manner) flawlessly in support of its thesis that the criminal system’s hijacking of DNA science has degraded scientific advancement.
Want to read
March 18, 2015Cousin is friends with author and recommended this. I've ordered and look forward to reading it when it's released in October this year.
May 7, 2016
Comprehensive, but poorly edited. The prose is uneven, and outright clumsy at places, which made it a chore to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews