Unraveled S3 Ep.5: Fighting Fire
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Oct 27, 2021 Joann Parks, wrongfully convicted of killing her children due to faulty fire investigation techniques, shares her harrowing story. She sheds light on the critical flaws in arson analysis and highlights the chilling frequency of wrongful convictions, especially against women. The podcast delves into the evolution of fire investigations and critiques outdated forensic methods, emphasizing the urgent need for reform. Joann’s journey underscores the importance of accurate scientific evidence in preventing future injustices.
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The Joanne Parks Case
- Joanne Parks' house caught fire, killing her three children.
- Investigators initially deemed it accidental but later claimed arson after learning of a previous fire at her home.
Joanne's Trial and Conviction
- Joanne Parks was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life without parole based on arson investigator testimony.
- The prosecution argued she started the fire for insurance money.
Flawed Arson Investigation Methods
- Before 1992, fire investigators lacked standardized training, relying on inherited methods from superiors.
- These methods were later found to be flawed, misinterpreting accidental fires as arson.