Podcasts about DNA and Genealogy

Ever since I listened to Bear Brook, an amazing podcast about genealogy being used to find the identities of victims of a crime, I've been fascinated by the growing world of DNA and genealogy used both in criminal investigations and in the lives of just average people who want to know who they are related to. At this point, who doesn't have a relative who spit in a cup and send the family DNA off to be analyzed and stored in an online database?  

Over the years I've listened to some amazing podcasts in which DNA and/or genealogy has a prominent role, so I figured I would make a list of my favorites to share with other people sharing my fascination!

1. Bear Brook (NHPR)

Angle: Criminal Investigation

Where DNA being used to find a perpetrator is becoming very commonplace, this podcast covers another important role of DNA analyses: finding the identity of nameless murder victims. Bear Brook searches for the identities of four bodies found in barrels in the woods. Three of the victims were underage at the time of their death. None of the bodies were able to be identified when they were found, to the absolute heartbreak of the community where they were found.  

The podcast is, in my opinion, the gold standard of true crime reporting and led to the discovery of not only some of the unknown identities, but also the identity of the killer. The inside look into just how this new investigative technique came about is absolutely fascinating. Besides this, the podcast is also made with the appropriate respect to the victims and the community that formed around them.  

2. The Gift (BBC)

Angle: Investigating the different ramifications of people doing at home DNA tests.

Every episode of this show covers a different story of peoples lives being turned upside down by their DNA results. Without spoiling too much, this podcast covered implications of DNA testing that I had never heard or thought about. And many brave people shared their stories with the podcast to raise awareness. The podcast currently has two seasons, spanning 13 episodes.  

3. The Immaculate Deception (Somethin' Else / Sony Music Entertainment)

Angle: Donor conceived children 

Many desperate parents were successfully helped to conceive by doctor Jan Karbaat in the Netherlands. But how exactly? When their children found each other via DNA tests, a less happy picture emerged. Whose sperm were these mothers inseminated with exactly? And what went on behind the scenes at the, now notorious, clinic of Jan Karbaat? Again, I was blown away by the courage of the victims in this story sharing their stories in an honest and vulnerable way. Not all parents view what happened to them the same and the podcast raises interesting points about the experiences of donor conceived children and their parents. 

4. Come by Chance (CBC)

Angle: Switched at birth

Every kid sometimes feels like they don't fit in. But what if you feel like you don't fit into your family? And what if the family across town looks exactly like you? So much so, that you get mistaken for them by people around town? What if, in one area of the country, not one or two, but even more children are sent home with parents who are not their own? I could not imagine it, but after listening to this podcast I've found that it would be even more complicated than you could ever imagine.  

This podcast is a journey and the storytelling is absolutely gorgeous. It transports you to Newfoundland, Canada, into complicated family and town dynamics. It's amazing to get such an intimate look into this case and the podcast makes sure you understand why it's so vital that these stories are told and that they are heard. 

5. An Absurd Result (Mopac Audio & Glassbox Media)

Angle: Exoneration through DNA

You've probably read about cases like this: where someone is finally exonerated for a crime because of modern DNA testing. But what happens after the exoneration? How do you rebuild your life after being wrongly convicted for a horrific crime? And how does the victim of the horrific crime deal with the fact that the perpetrator wasn't actually caught, like they had thought all these years? How does either of them get justice? This podcast tells the amazing story of a man exonerated for the sexual assault of a young girl. And the young girl who never really got the justice she deserved because of... the statute of limitations in the United States.  

Both the exonerated man as the victim are amazingly gracious people and the way they share their story made my mouth drop multiple times! The way they've both dealt with incredible injustice and pain and came out the other end was just breathtaking to listen to.  

That is it for now. I will, as always, update this list whenever I have a podcast to add in this particular category! Need more podcast recommendations? Check out my list of investigative podcasts that aren't about a murder here.

If you have any recommendations in this category, please leave them in the comments!