The Lab Detective | Tortoise Investigates Science versus the law | The Lab Detective Ep3
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Jul 29, 2025 Carola Vinuesa, a scientist at The Francis Crick Institute, shares her groundbreaking work that applies genetic discoveries in legal settings. She discusses the heart-wrenching case of Kathleen Folbigg, who was wrongfully imprisoned for her children's deaths. As new genetic evidence emerges, Vinuesa highlights the emotional turmoil intertwined with the legal battle for justice. Listeners are taken through a poignant journey of hope, healing, and the critical need for scientific accountability in the courtroom.
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Genetic Clues to Infant Death
- Novel genetic variants can indicate lethal mutations if not seen before due to recent evolution.
- Such discoveries can explain sudden infant deaths linked to specific gene mutations like CALM2.
Key Genetic Discovery in Kathleen's Case
- Carola Vinuesa and Tudor Arsov found a novel CALM2 gene variant in Kathleen's DNA potentially explaining her children's deaths.
- This gene mutation is linked with severe cardiac disorders that could cause fatal arrhythmias in infants.
Extracting DNA From Old Samples
- DNA was successfully extracted from decades-old newborn heel prick blood spots for sequencing.
- Two daughters had the CALM2 mutation linked to heart issues, while two sons did not but had other fatal conditions.