"♪ ♪Yeah!" "♪" "Fillmein ,Cormac." "Homicide,male,early30s ." "Homicide,male,early30s ." "Shot five times." "Causeofdeath..." "lead poisoning." "Niceone." "lead poisoning." "Niceone." "The entry wound was through" "Niceone." "The entry wound was through the victim's right eye socket." "The entry wound was through the victim's right eye socket." "Lookslikehe neversaw it the victim's right eye socket." "Lookslikehe neversaw it coming." "Lookslikehe neversaw it coming." "Okay,Nash,aman 'sdead." "coming." "Okay,Nash,aman 'sdead." "We picked up a guy loitering" "Okay,Nash,aman 'sdead." "We picked up a guy loitering around the crime scene." "We picked up a guy loitering around the crime scene." "Looks like a real deviant." "around the crime scene." "Looks like a real deviant." "Thistheguy?" "Looks like a real deviant." "Thistheguy?" "Hi." "Didyouknowthemodern" "Thistheguy?" "Hi." "Didyouknowthemodern handcuff was invented in 1812?" "Hi." "Didyouknowthemodern handcuff was invented in 1812?" "(groans)Youhavethe right handcuff was invented in 1812?" "(groans)Youhavethe right to remain... (groans)Youhavethe right to remain..." "Silent?" "to remain..." "Silent?" "Gosh, I wish I could." "Silent?" "Gosh, I wish I could." "I'm Adam Conover, and this" "Gosh, I wish I could." "I'm Adam Conover, and this is "Adam Ruins Everything"." "I'm Adam Conover, and this is "Adam Ruins Everything"." "(siren blaring) is "Adam Ruins Everything"." "(siren blaring) ♪" "Idon'tenvyCormacbeing in the same room with that guy." "Ishetalkingatleast?" "in the same room with that guy." "Ishetalkingatleast?" "That'stheproblem." "Ishetalkingatleast?" "That'stheproblem." "He won't stop." "That'stheproblem." "He won't stop." "...andthat'swhyAmerica" "He won't stop." "...andthat'swhyAmerica should convert to the metric ...andthat'swhyAmerica should convert to the metric system." "should convert to the metric system." "Also, I didn't kill that guy, system." "Also, I didn't kill that guy, so..." "Also, I didn't kill that guy, so..." "Yeah,tellit to thelie  so..." "Yeah,tellit to thelie  detector, sicko." "Yeah,tellit to thelie  detector, sicko." "Wait,really?" "detector, sicko." "Wait,really?" "You guys still use these?" "Wait,really?" "You guys still use these?" "Yeah." "You guys still use these?" "Yeah." "You got a problem with that?" "Yeah." "You got a problem with that?" "Yeah,becausetheydon 't" "You got a problem with that?" "Yeah,becausetheydon 't work at all." "Yeah,becausetheydon 't work at all." "You didn't know this?" "work at all." "You didn't know this?" "The polygraph test is 100%" "You didn't know this?" "The polygraph test is 100% old-timey pseudo-science." "The polygraph test is 100% old-timey pseudo-science." "You know, back in the Dark Ages old-timey pseudo-science." "You know, back in the Dark Ages they would force criminals to" "You know, back in the Dark Ages they would force criminals to hold a red-hot iron to see they would force criminals to hold a red-hot iron to see if it burned them." "hold a red-hot iron to see if it burned them." "If it did, it meant you were if it burned them." "If it did, it meant you were lying." "If it did, it meant you were lying." "Stateyournamefor the  lying." "Stateyournamefor the  record." "Stateyournamefor the  record." "Lying already?" "record." "Lying already?" "(screaming)" "Lying already?" "(screaming) Butthemodernpolygraph" "(screaming) Butthemodernpolygraph is just as ridiculous." "Butthemodernpolygraph is just as ridiculous." "Humans are complicated." "is just as ridiculous." "Humans are complicated." "The truth isn't something you" "Humans are complicated." "The truth isn't something you can just detect with a machine." "The truth isn't something you can just detect with a machine." "Oh,yeah?" "can just detect with a machine." "Oh,yeah?" "Then what's it detecting, buddy?" "Oh,yeah?" "Then what's it detecting, buddy?" "Heartbeat,bloodpressure," "Then what's it detecting, buddy?" "Heartbeat,bloodpressure, breathing, sweats." "Heartbeat,bloodpressure, breathing, sweats." "Dirtysweatyliars." "breathing, sweats." "Dirtysweatyliars." "Butwhywouldbeingsweaty" "Dirtysweatyliars." "Butwhywouldbeingsweaty necessarily mean you're lying?" "Butwhywouldbeingsweaty necessarily mean you're lying?" "Hell, it could just mean you're necessarily mean you're lying?" "Hell, it could just mean you're doing crossfit." "Hell, it could just mean you're doing crossfit." "50...51... doing crossfit." "50...51..." "You'relying,bro." "50...51..." "You'relying,bro." "(grunting)" "You'relying,bro." "(grunting) You'relying." "(grunting) You'relying." "Hey,stopwiththe cutaways," "You'relying." "Hey,stopwiththe cutaways, punk." "Hey,stopwiththe cutaways, punk." "Truthfulpeoplecanfail punk." "Truthfulpeoplecanfail polygraphs just because they're" "Truthfulpeoplecanfail polygraphs just because they're sweaty or nervous, and all you polygraphs just because they're sweaty or nervous, and all you have to do to beat the test sweaty or nervous, and all you have to do to beat the test is stay super chill and keep" "have to do to beat the test is stay super chill and keep your heart rate down." "is stay super chill and keep your heart rate down." "Criminals do it all the time, your heart rate down." "Criminals do it all the time, like Gary Ridgeway," "Criminals do it all the time, like Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer." "like Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer." "Soviet spy Aldrich Ames, the Green River Killer." "Soviet spy Aldrich Ames, and serial killer Charles" "Soviet spy Aldrich Ames, and serial killer Charles Cullen, also known as and serial killer Charles Cullen, also known as the Angel of Death." "Cullen, also known as the Angel of Death." "They'remonsters." "the Angel of Death." "They'remonsters." "Monsterswhoallbeatthe" "They'remonsters." "Monsterswhoallbeatthe polygraph, just because they" "Monsterswhoallbeatthe polygraph, just because they were laid-back dudes with polygraph, just because they were laid-back dudes with chill attitudes." "were laid-back dudes with chill attitudes." "♪Yeah!" "♪ chill attitudes." "♪Yeah!" "♪ Thepolygraphis so easy" "♪Yeah!" "♪ Thepolygraphis so easy to beat they teach classes on" "Thepolygraphis so easy to beat they teach classes on how to do it." "to beat they teach classes on how to do it." "Really?" "how to do it." "Really?" "Whatever, jerk." "Really?" "Whatever, jerk." "All this is just your opinion." "Whatever, jerk." "All this is just your opinion." "Hatetobreakittoyou," "All this is just your opinion." "Hatetobreakittoyou, but even the inventor of" "Hatetobreakittoyou, but even the inventor of the polygraph thought it was BS." "but even the inventor of the polygraph thought it was BS." "Hey,slimeball,sitdown the polygraph thought it was BS." "Hey,slimeball,sitdown or I'm calling for backup!" "Hey,slimeball,sitdown or I'm calling for backup!" "Theonlybackupwe'llneed  or I'm calling for backup!" "Theonlybackupwe'llneed  today is from scholarly sources." "Theonlybackupwe'llneed  today is from scholarly sources." "(groans) today is from scholarly sources." "(groans) Thepolygraphwasinvented" "(groans) Thepolygraphwasinvented in 1921 by a medical student" "Thepolygraphwasinvented in 1921 by a medical student named John Larson." "in 1921 by a medical student named John Larson." "Iwillneverregret named John Larson." "Iwillneverregret inventing this." "Iwillneverregret inventing this." "Hewouldgo on to regret inventing this." "Hewouldgo on to regret inventing it." "Hewouldgo on to regret inventing it." "Larson became so horrified by inventing it." "Larson became so horrified by law enforcement's unscientific" "Larson became so horrified by law enforcement's unscientific use of his device he would go on law enforcement's unscientific use of his device he would go on to call the machine a use of his device he would go on to call the machine a "Frankenstein's monster"." "to call the machine a "Frankenstein's monster"." "(thunder cracking)" ""Frankenstein's monster"." "(thunder cracking) Stopit!" "(thunder cracking) Stopit!" "It's a lie!" "Stopit!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "Damnit." "It's a lie!" "Damnit." "Butnoonelistened," "Damnit." "Butnoonelistened, and ever since people have" "Butnoonelistened, and ever since people have insisted that the polygraph and ever since people have insisted that the polygraph can do frankly impossible insisted that the polygraph can do frankly impossible things." "can do frankly impossible things." "In the late 1960s a polygraph things." "In the late 1960s a polygraph expert conducted tests on plants" "In the late 1960s a polygraph expert conducted tests on plants and concluded..." "Goodgravy,thisplant can feel emotions like pain can feel emotions like pain and fear." "and fear." "...insteadofthemore ...insteadofthemore obvious conclusion-- obvious conclusion-- Goodgravy,thismachineis a piece of garbage that goes off randomly." "Okay,peabrain,ifit's  garbage why do so many people trust it?" "garbage why do so many people trust it?" "Yeah,I wonderwhy." "Theysaythatshe 's cooperating, but when the mom cooperating, but when the mom won't take a polygraph to me won't take a polygraph to me that raises some red flags." "that raises some red flags." "He'slying." "He'slying." "Duringyourrelationship," "Duringyourrelationship, have you ever had sexual have you ever had sexual intercoursewithanotherwoma?" "intercoursewithanotherwoma?" "You said no; the lie detector" "You said no; the lie detector testdeterminedthatwas ali ." "testdeterminedthatwas ali ." "(crowd gasping and reacting)" "Themediahaspushedthe "infallibility" of the lie detector so hard that now" ""infallibility" of the lie detector so hard that now everyone believes in it, detector so hard that now everyone believes in it, even though it just straight-up everyone believes in it, even though it just straight-up doesn't work, and this thing is" "even though it just straight-up doesn't work, and this thing is still embedded in our legal doesn't work, and this thing is still embedded in our legal system." "still embedded in our legal system." "Massachusetts uses it to system." "Massachusetts uses it to establish probable cause." "Massachusetts uses it to establish probable cause." "Florida requires sex offenders establish probable cause." "Florida requires sex offenders to take the test." "Florida requires sex offenders to take the test." "Combined, government agencies to take the test." "Combined, government agencies test over 70,000 people a year" "Combined, government agencies test over 70,000 people a year with this century-old piece test over 70,000 people a year with this century-old piece of pseudo-science." "with this century-old piece of pseudo-science." "Listen,Conover,youwant of pseudo-science." "Listen,Conover,youwant to know the truth?" "Listen,Conover,youwant to know the truth?" "We know it doesn't work." "to know the truth?" "We know it doesn't work." "We just use it to trick gullible" "We know it doesn't work." "We just use it to trick gullible criminals who think it works" "We just use it to trick gullible criminals who think it works into giving confessions." "criminals who think it works into giving confessions." "Are you happy now?" "into giving confessions." "Are you happy now?" "Yeah,I am,'causenow" "Are you happy now?" "Yeah,I am,'causenow  everyone knows that, so you" "Yeah,I am,'causenow  everyone knows that, so you can't trick 'em anymore." "everyone knows that, so you can't trick 'em anymore." "Listen,( bleep)bird!" "can't trick 'em anymore." "Listen,( bleep)bird!" "Thisjustin" "Listen,( bleep)bird!" "Thisjustin-- an eyewitness spotted this bozo" "Thisjustin-- an eyewitness spotted this bozo at the crime scene." "an eyewitness spotted this bozo at the crime scene." "Son, you better put on your at the crime scene." "Son, you better put on your reading glasses..." "Son, you better put on your reading glasses..." "'cause we're throwing the book reading glasses..." "'cause we're throwing the book at you." "'cause we're throwing the book at you." "Ooh,goodtwist." "at you." "Ooh,goodtwist." "Too bad eyewitness testimony" "Ooh,goodtwist." "Too bad eyewitness testimony is completely unreliable." "Too bad eyewitness testimony is completely unreliable." "(groaning)" "Whenitcomestothetruth , our memories can't be trusted." "our memories can't be trusted." "That'sinsane!" "CanI getyoufolks something?" "Yeah,pourme aglassof something?" "Yeah,pourme aglassof the truth." "Yeah,pourme aglassof the truth." "Detective Nash, the truth." "Detective Nash, Detective Cormac, LAPD" "Detective Nash, Detective Cormac, LAPD Special Murder Unit." "Detective Cormac, LAPD Special Murder Unit." "Mindifwe askyou some" "Special Murder Unit." "Mindifwe askyou some questions?" "Mindifwe askyou some questions?" "NotaslongasI cankeep questions?" "NotaslongasI cankeep doing visually interesting" "NotaslongasI cankeep doing visually interesting tasks." "doing visually interesting tasks." "Yeah,goahead." "tasks." "Yeah,goahead." "What did you see in the alley" "Yeah,goahead." "What did you see in the alley last night?" "What did you see in the alley last night?" "Well,I remembercrystal last night?" "Well,I remembercrystal clear: there was a stylish dude" "Well,I remembercrystal clear: there was a stylish dude with a tall haircut, shot a man clear: there was a stylish dude with a tall haircut, shot a man broad daylight." "with a tall haircut, shot a man broad daylight." "It was wild." "broad daylight." "It was wild." "Thistheguy?" "Oh,yeah,that'shim , all right, and this is you." "Goodenoughforme." "all right, and this is you." "Goodenoughforme." "Yeah,metoo." "Goodenoughforme." "Yeah,metoo." "Well,itshouldn'tbe." "Yeah,metoo." "Well,itshouldn'tbe." "We think of our memories as" "Well,itshouldn'tbe." "We think of our memories as perfect recordings, but the fact" "We think of our memories as perfect recordings, but the fact is even your most cherished perfect recordings, but the fact is even your most cherished childhood recollections are is even your most cherished childhood recollections are just garbled stories your brain" "childhood recollections are just garbled stories your brain is telling itself." "Ifindthathardtobelieve." "Oh,allowme to demonstrate." "Detective Nash, what's your most" "Oh,allowme to demonstrate." "Detective Nash, what's your most cherished childhood memory." "Detective Nash, what's your most cherished childhood memory." "Oh,I rememberit likeitwas cherished childhood memory." "Oh,I rememberit likeitwas yesterday: the school play." "Oh,I rememberit likeitwas yesterday: the school play." "It was called "The Spooky yesterday: the school play." "It was called "The Spooky Halloween"." "It was called "The Spooky Halloween"." "I was playing Officer Ghostly." "Halloween"." "I was playing Officer Ghostly." "(chuckles) The theater was" "I was playing Officer Ghostly." "(chuckles) The theater was packed." "(chuckles) The theater was packed." "I was nervous but I hit the packed." "I was nervous but I hit the stage and delivered my line." "I was nervous but I hit the stage and delivered my line." ""Looks like someone committed stage and delivered my line." ""Looks like someone committed a boo-glary."" ""Looks like someone committed a boo-glary." (laughter and applause) a boo-glary." (laughter and applause) I was a hit." "(laughter and applause) I was a hit." "I knew then that I wanted to" "I was a hit." "I knew then that I wanted to solve crimes and tell crime" "I knew then that I wanted to solve crimes and tell crime- related puns for the rest of solve crimes and tell crime- related puns for the rest of my life." "related puns for the rest of my life." "And then in the doorway my life." "And then in the doorway I saw my estranged father." "And then in the doorway I saw my estranged father." "He had finally come to watch me" "I saw my estranged father." "He had finally come to watch me perform." "Dad never understood my love of wordplay..." "until that moment." "of wordplay..." "until that moment." "Verytouching." "until that moment." "Verytouching." "Too bad it's not remotely" "Verytouching." "Too bad it's not remotely what happened." "Too bad it's not remotely what happened." "What?" "what happened." "What?" "Firstofall,you weren't" "What?" "Firstofall,you weren't wearing sunglasses." "Firstofall,you weren't wearing sunglasses." "You were dressed like wearing sunglasses." "You were dressed like a regular kid." "You were dressed like a regular kid." "And your actual line was:" "a regular kid." "And your actual line was:" "Look,a ghost!" "Butwhydo Irememberit that way?" "Well,everytimeyou told that way?" "Well,everytimeyou told the story you added a detail" "Well,everytimeyou told the story you added a detail and subconsciously tailored your the story you added a detail and subconsciously tailored your memory to fit your audience, and subconsciously tailored your memory to fit your audience, whether you were trying to" "memory to fit your audience, whether you were trying to impress them... whether you were trying to impress them..." "Noonehadeverheardakid impress them..." "Noonehadeverheardakid be so funny... or spooky." "Noonehadeverheardakid be so funny... or spooky." "...makethemlaugh... be so funny... or spooky." "...makethemlaugh..." ""Boo-glary."" "...makethemlaugh..." ""Boo-glary." (laughter)" ""Boo-glary." (laughter) Hey, you might say it was" "(laughter) Hey, you might say it was a polterg-heist." "Hey, you might say it was a polterg-heist." "(laughter) a polterg-heist." "(laughter) Cheers." "(laughter) Cheers." "...orjustbecausethey" "Cheers." "...orjustbecausethey ask you to as part of their ...orjustbecausethey ask you to as part of their basic cable show." "ask you to as part of their basic cable show." "Irememberit likeitwas basic cable show." "Irememberit likeitwas yesterday: the school play." "Irememberit likeitwas yesterday: the school play." "(pop) yesterday: the school play." "(pop) Andovertime,the memory" "(pop) Andovertime,the memory itself changed not because you" "Andovertime,the memory itself changed not because you were lying but because that's itself changed not because you were lying but because that's just what brains do." "were lying but because that's just what brains do." "They add details to fill in just what brains do." "They add details to fill in the gaps." "They add details to fill in the gaps." "Butmymeandad arrivingat the gaps." "Butmymeandad arrivingat the last minute." "Butmymeandad arrivingat the last minute." "Oh,you'rejustremembering the last minute." "Oh,you'rejustremembering the end of the movie" "Oh,you'rejustremembering the end of the movie "Billy Elliot": your dad was the end of the movie "Billy Elliot": your dad was there, he recorded that." ""Billy Elliot": your dad was there, he recorded that." "He was actually very supportive." "there, he recorded that." "He was actually very supportive." "Oh,mypersonalnarrative!" "He was actually very supportive." "Oh,mypersonalnarrative!" "Whatdoyouthinkyouare," "Oh,mypersonalnarrative!" "Whatdoyouthinkyouare, a psychologist?" "Whatdoyouthinkyouare, a psychologist?" "No,butIamandheisright." "a psychologist?" "No,butIamandheisright." "Oh,guys,thisisElizabeth" "No,butIamandheisright." "Oh,guys,thisisElizabeth Loftus; she's a professor at" "UC Irvine and a pioneering researcher in the field of researcher in the field of false memories." "Oh, Elizabeth, tell them how easy it is to influence memory." "It is so cool." "easy it is to influence memory." "It is so cool." "Sure,Adam." "It is so cool." "Sure,Adam." "I conducted a study where we" "Sure,Adam." "I conducted a study where we showed people simulated car" "I conducted a study where we showed people simulated car accidents, and even though these showed people simulated car accidents, and even though these were minor accidents we could accidents, and even though these were minor accidents we could ask leading questions and get" "were minor accidents we could ask leading questions and get people to remember that the cars ask leading questions and get people to remember that the cars were going faster and to people to remember that the cars were going faster and to "remember" that they saw" "were going faster and to "remember" that they saw broken glass at the scene," ""remember" that they saw broken glass at the scene, even though there wasn't any broken glass at the scene, even though there wasn't any broken glass at all." "even though there wasn't any broken glass at all." "And we really need to keep broken glass at all." "And we really need to keep in mind that when people recall" "And we really need to keep in mind that when people recall something, they can have a lot in mind that when people recall something, they can have a lot of detail, a lot of confidence, something, they can have a lot of detail, a lot of confidence, a lot of emotion when they tell" "of detail, a lot of confidence, a lot of emotion when they tell you a story, even though a lot of emotion when they tell you a story, even though it never happened." "you a story, even though it never happened." "That'sinsane!" "it never happened." "That'sinsane!" "How could our brains get it" "That'sinsane!" "How could our brains get it wrong so quickly?" "How could our brains get it wrong so quickly?" "It'sbecauseourmemories wrong so quickly?" "It'sbecauseourmemories just don't work like the cameras" "It'sbecauseourmemories just don't work like the cameras recording this TV show." "just don't work like the cameras recording this TV show." "That'sright;theyworkmore  recording this TV show." "That'sright;theyworkmore  like a Wikipedia page, which" "That'sright;theyworkmore  like a Wikipedia page, which means you can go in there and like a Wikipedia page, which means you can go in there and edit it but so can other people," "means you can go in there and edit it but so can other people, and this has real consequences edit it but so can other people, and this has real consequences for law enforcement because and this has real consequences for law enforcement because sometimes police maybe" "for law enforcement because sometimes police maybe inadvertently will ask leading sometimes police maybe inadvertently will ask leading or suggestive questions inadvertently will ask leading or suggestive questions and they can contaminate or suggestive questions and they can contaminate the memories of the witnesses" "and they can contaminate the memories of the witnesses they're interviewing." "the memories of the witnesses they're interviewing." "Here,I 'llshowyou." "Ma'am?" "You have to pay." "Ididalready,remember?" "You have to pay." "Ididalready,remember?" "Oh,yeah." "Wait a second!" "Lineup,please." "(door lock buzzing)" "Lineup,please." "(door lock buzzing) Evenwhentheydon 'tdoit" "(door lock buzzing) Evenwhentheydon 'tdoit intentionally cops unconsciously" "Evenwhentheydon 'tdoit intentionally cops unconsciously bias and alter the memories intentionally cops unconsciously bias and alter the memories of witnesses all the time." "bias and alter the memories of witnesses all the time." "Whichoneof theseguys of witnesses all the time." "Whichoneof theseguys stole your purse?" "Whichoneof theseguys stole your purse?" "Ithinkit was... stole your purse?" "Ithinkit was..." "(scoffs)Oh." "Ithinkit was..." "(scoffs)Oh." "Oh!" "(scoffs)Oh." "Oh!" "Him,theguywith" "Oh!" "Him,theguywith the eye patch." "Him,theguywith the eye patch." "Yousure?" "the eye patch." "Yousure?" "Yes,I rememberhim." "Yousure?" "Yes,I rememberhim." "No,that'snotacriminal," "Yes,I rememberhim." "No,that'snotacriminal, that's just my friend Larry." "No,that'snotacriminal, that's just my friend Larry." "He just looks scary 'cause of that's just my friend Larry." "He just looks scary 'cause of his scratched cornea." "He just looks scary 'cause of his scratched cornea." "Hey, Larry, how's your eye?" "his scratched cornea." "Hey, Larry, how's your eye?" "It'snotgreat,man ." "Hey, Larry, how's your eye?" "It'snotgreat,man ." "The doctor told me to come back" "It'snotgreat,man ." "The doctor told me to come back in two weeks and I don't have" "The doctor told me to come back in two weeks and I don't have enough drugs." "in two weeks and I don't have enough drugs." "I don't have an HMO." "enough drugs." "I don't have an HMO." "You know, it's very" "I don't have an HMO." "You know, it's very-- God,thisguycouldtalk !" "You know, it's very-- God,thisguycouldtalk !" "Buteyewitnesstestimonyis" "God,thisguycouldtalk !" "Buteyewitnesstestimonyis the foundation of police work." "Buteyewitnesstestimonyis the foundation of police work." "Yeah,that'swhyitsucks the foundation of police work." "Yeah,that'swhyitsucks that when it comes to the truth," "Yeah,that'swhyitsucks that when it comes to the truth, our memories simply can't be that when it comes to the truth, our memories simply can't be trusted." "our memories simply can't be trusted." "(grunting) trusted." "(grunting) (cell phone ringtone)" "(grunting) (cell phone ringtone) It'stheforensicslab ." "(cell phone ringtone) It'stheforensicslab ." "Looks like they found Conover's" "It'stheforensicslab ." "Looks like they found Conover's fingerprints at the scene." "Looks like they found Conover's fingerprints at the scene." "Andnotwofingerprints fingerprints at the scene." "Andnotwofingerprints are alike." "Andnotwofingerprints are alike." "Why don't you grab your crown are alike." "Why don't you grab your crown 'cause it looks like we got you," "Why don't you grab your crown 'cause it looks like we got you, "Prints" Charming?" "'cause it looks like we got you, "Prints" Charming?" "What, I can't do one?" ""Prints" Charming?" "What, I can't do one?" "Actually,that'sneverbeen" "What, I can't do one?" "Actually,that'sneverbeen proven; the fingerprints thing's" "Actually,that'sneverbeen proven; the fingerprints thing's not a real fact. (chuckling) proven; the fingerprints thing's not a real fact. (chuckling) I'mgonnakillyou ." "not a real fact. (chuckling) I'mgonnakillyou ." "I'm gonna kill you!" "Workyourmagic,Macy." "Justhaveto enhance..." "(beeping)" "Justhaveto enhance..." "(beeping) ...and enhance... (beeping) ...and enhance..." "(beeping) ...and enhance..." "(beeping) Enhance... ooh!" "(beeping) Enhance... ooh!" "Too enhanced." "Enhance... ooh!" "Too enhanced." "Dehance." "Too enhanced." "Dehance." "(beeping)" "The print matches." "It couldn't possibly be anyone else." "Firstofall..." "(allgasping)" "Firstofall..." "(allgasping) ..."enhance"isn'tathing." "(allgasping) ..."enhance"isn'tathing." "Digital photos have a limited ..."enhance"isn'tathing." "Digital photos have a limited resolution; you can't just yell" "Digital photos have a limited resolution; you can't just yell at a computer to get more resolution; you can't just yell at a computer to get more detail, and secondly there is at a computer to get more detail, and secondly there is no scientific proof that" "detail, and secondly there is no scientific proof that fingerprints are unique." "no scientific proof that fingerprints are unique." "Enough,Conover!" "fingerprints are unique." "Enough,Conover!" "Everyone knows no two" "Enough,Conover!" "Everyone knows no two fingerprints are alike." "Everyone knows no two fingerprints are alike." "Like snowflakes." "fingerprints are alike." "Like snowflakes." "Oh!" "Funnyyoushouldsay" "Like snowflakes." "Oh!" "Funnyyoushouldsay that." "Oh!" "Funnyyoushouldsay that." "In the 1980s a researcher that." "In the 1980s a researcher actually found two snowflakes" "In the 1980s a researcher actually found two snowflakes that had precisely the same actually found two snowflakes that had precisely the same pattern-- that had precisely the same pattern-- Hey,Dingledork,let'skeep pattern-- Hey,Dingledork,let'skeep it to fingerprints, okay?" "Hey,Dingledork,let'skeep it to fingerprints, okay?" "Ofcourse,savethatfor it to fingerprints, okay?" "Ofcourse,savethatfor the Christmas episode." "Ofcourse,savethatfor the Christmas episode." "The "no two fingerprints are the Christmas episode." "The "no two fingerprints are alike" cliché isn't science." "The "no two fingerprints are alike" cliché isn't science." "It's just something one guy said alike" cliché isn't science." "It's just something one guy said in 1892." "It's just something one guy said in 1892." "Mynameis SirFrancis in 1892." "Mynameis SirFrancis Galton;" "I postulate the chances" "Mynameis SirFrancis Galton;" "I postulate the chances of two specific individuals" "Galton;" "I postulate the chances of two specific individuals having the same fingerprint of two specific individuals having the same fingerprint is very teeny-tiny." "having the same fingerprint is very teeny-tiny." "Well,hesoundsvery is very teeny-tiny." "Well,hesoundsvery respectable." "Well,hesoundsvery respectable." "Ialsoinventedeugenics." "respectable." "Ialsoinventedeugenics." "Oh,God,gethim out ofhere !" "Ialsoinventedeugenics." "Oh,God,gethim out ofhere !" "TodayGalton'shunchis" "Oh,God,gethim out ofhere !" "TodayGalton'shunchis common wisdom, and everyone" "TodayGalton'shunchis common wisdom, and everyone assumes that fingerprint common wisdom, and everyone assumes that fingerprint evidence is infallible, assumes that fingerprint evidence is infallible, but it's not." "evidence is infallible, but it's not." "Take the case of Brandon but it's not." "Take the case of Brandon Mayfield: he was arrested for" "Take the case of Brandon Mayfield: he was arrested for the Madrid train bombings after" "Mayfield: he was arrested for the Madrid train bombings after the world's top fingerprint the Madrid train bombings after the world's top fingerprint experts swore that he was a the world's top fingerprint experts swore that he was a perfect match for a print found" "experts swore that he was a perfect match for a print found at the scene." "perfect match for a print found at the scene." "Butitwasn'tme." "at the scene." "Butitwasn'tme." "I'm an attorney from Oregon." "Butitwasn'tme." "I'm an attorney from Oregon." "I'veneverevenbeentoSpain ." "I'm an attorney from Oregon." "I'veneverevenbeentoSpain ." "Oh,youshouldgo," "I'veneverevenbeentoSpain ." "Oh,youshouldgo,  it's lovely." "Oh,youshouldgo,  it's lovely." "Butbecausetheybelieved it's lovely." "Butbecausetheybelieved that fingerprints told no lies," "Butbecausetheybelieved that fingerprints told no lies, the FBI arrested Mayfield that fingerprints told no lies, the FBI arrested Mayfield and held him for weeks." "the FBI arrested Mayfield and held him for weeks." "Bytheway,I'm not the real and held him for weeks." "Bytheway,I'm not the real Brandon." "Bytheway,I'm not the real Brandon." "I'm an actor." "Brandon." "I'm an actor." "Hey!" "Let me out of here" "I'm an actor." "Hey!" "Let me out of here-- Andevenaftermakingthis" "Hey!" "Let me out of here-- Andevenaftermakingthis  mistake, federal agents still" "Andevenaftermakingthis  mistake, federal agents still maintained that fingerprint mistake, federal agents still maintained that fingerprint evidence was "infallible."" "maintained that fingerprint evidence was "infallible." Ofcoursethey'reinfallible." "evidence was "infallible." Ofcoursethey'reinfallible." "We have all these fancy" "Ofcoursethey'reinfallible." "We have all these fancy computers." "We have all these fancy computers." "Sure,onTV youdo." "computers." "Sure,onTV youdo." "But in real life, it looks more" "Sure,onTV youdo." "But in real life, it looks more like this." "But in real life, it looks more like this." "Here's how a real fingerprint like this." "Here's how a real fingerprint analyst works." "Here's how a real fingerprint analyst works." "Waita minute,those analyst works." "Waita minute,those fingerprints look all smudgy." "Waita minute,those fingerprints look all smudgy." "Man, is she just eyeballing it?" "fingerprints look all smudgy." "Man, is she just eyeballing it?" "That's insane!" "Man, is she just eyeballing it?" "That's insane!" "Yeah,fingerprintspulled" "That's insane!" "Yeah,fingerprintspulled from crime scenes tend to be" "Yeah,fingerprintspulled from crime scenes tend to be incomplete." "from crime scenes tend to be incomplete." "And the final stage of matching incomplete." "And the final stage of matching isn't done by computers, it's" "And the final stage of matching isn't done by computers, it's done by humans." "isn't done by computers, it's done by humans." "That means there's a huge done by humans." "That means there's a huge potential for error and bias." "That means there's a huge potential for error and bias." "It's been shown that analysts potential for error and bias." "It's been shown that analysts can unconsciously change their" "It's been shown that analysts can unconsciously change their evaluations depending on the can unconsciously change their evaluations depending on the details of a case." "evaluations depending on the details of a case." "Watch this." "details of a case." "Watch this." "Do these fingerprints match" "Watch this." "Do these fingerprints match the robber's?" "Do these fingerprints match the robber's?" "No,notamatch." "the robber's?" "No,notamatch." "Anddothesefingerprints" "No,notamatch." "Anddothesefingerprints match the cat murderer's?" "Anddothesefingerprints match the cat murderer's?" "Yes!" "It'saperfectmatch!" "match the cat murderer's?" "Yes!" "It'saperfectmatch!" "Catch that fiend!" "Yes!" "It'saperfectmatch!" "Catch that fiend!" "Wait,I thoughtfingerprint" "Catch that fiend!" "Wait,I thoughtfingerprint matching was scientifically" "Wait,I thoughtfingerprint matching was scientifically proven." "matching was scientifically proven." "Actually,Detective, proven." "Actually,Detective, it's not." "Letmeguess,anotherpunk  expert?" "expert?" "Yep!" "Thisis SimonCole," "Yep!" "Thisis SimonCole, a criminologist at UC Irvine who studies fingerprint analysis." "Youknow,fingerprint analysis." "Youknow,fingerprint evidence has been used in court" "Youknow,fingerprint evidence has been used in court for over a century now, and evidence has been used in court for over a century now, and until recently, almost no for over a century now, and until recently, almost no research was done into how" "until recently, almost no research was done into how reliable it is." "research was done into how reliable it is." "Really?" "reliable it is." "Really?" "Are you (bleep)ing with me?" "Really?" "Are you (bleep)ing with me?" "Is this guy (bleep)ing with me?" "Are you (bleep)ing with me?" "Is this guy (bleep)ing with me?" "Unfortunatelynot." "Is this guy (bleep)ing with me?" "Unfortunatelynot." "And the Supreme Court ruled in" "Unfortunatelynot." "And the Supreme Court ruled in the Daubert decision that" "And the Supreme Court ruled in the Daubert decision that scientific evidence used in the Daubert decision that scientific evidence used in court has to be reliable." "scientific evidence used in court has to be reliable." "According to that decision, court has to be reliable." "According to that decision, unless fingerprint evidence is" "According to that decision, unless fingerprint evidence is offered with a substantial unless fingerprint evidence is offered with a substantial proviso, it shouldn't even be offered with a substantial proviso, it shouldn't even be allowed in court." "proviso, it shouldn't even be allowed in court." "(sighs)Youarethe worst allowed in court." "(sighs)Youarethe worst criminal we've ever had on this" "(sighs)Youarethe worst criminal we've ever had on this show." "criminal we've ever had on this show." "Exactly!" "show." "Exactly!" "Cop shows like yours present" "Exactly!" "Cop shows like yours present forensic science as infallible," "Cop shows like yours present forensic science as infallible, but in reality, a lot of it forensic science as infallible, but in reality, a lot of it isn't scientific at all." "but in reality, a lot of it isn't scientific at all." "The FBI recently admitted that isn't scientific at all." "The FBI recently admitted that when conducting hair strand" "The FBI recently admitted that when conducting hair strand matches, their "experts" gave when conducting hair strand matches, their "experts" gave flawed testimony in 90% of the matches, their "experts" gave flawed testimony in 90% of the cases they reviewed." "flawed testimony in 90% of the cases they reviewed." "And in death penalty cases, the cases they reviewed." "And in death penalty cases, the number was 94%, including one" "And in death penalty cases, the number was 94%, including one time that a hair strand matched number was 94%, including one time that a hair strand matched to a human turned out to be time that a hair strand matched to a human turned out to be dog hair." "to a human turned out to be dog hair." "(dramatic music) dog hair." "(dramatic music) Bite mark analysis is notorious" "(dramatic music) Bite mark analysis is notorious nonsense, promulgated by a" "Bite mark analysis is notorious nonsense, promulgated by a small, ungoverned group of nonsense, promulgated by a small, ungoverned group of dentists." "small, ungoverned group of dentists." "Two men were once sent to death dentists." "Two men were once sent to death row because of bite marks that" "Two men were once sent to death row because of bite marks that were likely made by crawfish." "row because of bite marks that were likely made by crawfish." "(dramatic music) were likely made by crawfish." "(dramatic music) And, you've heard how fire" "(dramatic music) And, you've heard how fire investigators "detect" arson by" "And, you've heard how fire investigators "detect" arson by searching for "pouring investigators "detect" arson by searching for "pouring patterns."" "searching for "pouring patterns." Thesepouringpatterns patterns." Thesepouringpatterns suggest gasoline." "Thesepouringpatterns suggest gasoline." "Scientistshavesinceshown suggest gasoline." "Scientistshavesinceshown that those patterns happen in" "Scientistshavesinceshown that those patterns happen in any fire that has a flashover that those patterns happen in any fire that has a flashover event." "any fire that has a flashover event." "Eyeballing crime scenes just event." "Eyeballing crime scenes just isn't scientific." "Eyeballing crime scenes just isn't scientific." "Huh...thisonelookslike  isn't scientific." "Huh...thisonelookslike  a bunny!" "Huh...thisonelookslike  a bunny!" "(squealing, smacking lips) a bunny!" "(squealing, smacking lips) (dramatic music)" "(squealing, smacking lips) (dramatic music) Thiscityis fullofanimals." "(dramatic music) Thiscityis fullofanimals." "Listen," grundelchum,"what" "Thiscityis fullofanimals." "Listen," grundelchum,"what are we supposed to do?" "Listen," grundelchum,"what are we supposed to do?" "We're trying to get criminals are we supposed to do?" "We're trying to get criminals off the streets here." "We're trying to get criminals off the streets here." "Yeah,that'sexactlythe  off the streets here." "Yeah,that'sexactlythe  problem." "Yeah,that'sexactlythe  problem." "These techniques are great at problem." "These techniques are great at locking people up, but they're" "These techniques are great at locking people up, but they're terrible at figuring out what locking people up, but they're terrible at figuring out what actually happened." "terrible at figuring out what actually happened." "And that means they often get actually happened." "And that means they often get the wrong person sent to prison," "And that means they often get the wrong person sent to prison, or even executed." "the wrong person sent to prison, or even executed." "Bad forensic sciences ruin lives or even executed." "Bad forensic sciences ruin lives and kill people." "Bad forensic sciences ruin lives and kill people." "Damnit!" "and kill people." "Damnit!" "You're right, again!" "Damnit!" "You're right, again!" "Again!" "You're right, again!" "Again!" "Wow,youmustreallyhate" "Again!" "Wow,youmustreallyhate  coffee." "Wow,youmustreallyhate  coffee." "Iloveit ." "coffee." "Iloveit ." "I'm messed up, man." "Faceit,Cormac." "All of our CSI techniques are nonsense." "All of our CSI techniques are nonsense." "And, we have no evidence against nonsense." "And, we have no evidence against this guy, and the real murderer" "And, we have no evidence against this guy, and the real murderer is still out there." "this guy, and the real murderer is still out there." "(sniffs) is still out there." "(sniffs) Guess you don't have to pay for" "(sniffs) Guess you don't have to pay for takeout, Adam." "Guess you don't have to pay for takeout, Adam." "Because you're free to go." "takeout, Adam." "Because you're free to go." "Finally.( chuckles)" "Because you're free to go." "Finally.( chuckles) Well, off to rewrite the plaques" "Finally.( chuckles) Well, off to rewrite the plaques at the Natural History Museum." "Well, off to rewrite the plaques at the Natural History Museum." "Unless...youcouldtellus at the Natural History Museum." "Unless...youcouldtellus about a forensic science that" "Unless...youcouldtellus about a forensic science that does work." "about a forensic science that does work." "(sighs) does work." "(sighs) Of course I can." "(sighs) Of course I can." "Nailedhim." "News8 isliveatthecrime  scene, where accused murderer scene, where accused murderer and irritating know-it-all and irritating know-it-all Adam Conover delivers a" "Adam Conover delivers a statement." "Let's all do our best to listen to the whole thing." "Overthecourseofthis  to the whole thing." "Overthecourseofthis  episode, I have made a" "Overthecourseofthis  episode, I have made a compelling case against flawed episode, I have made a compelling case against flawed forensic science." "compelling case against flawed forensic science." "But, what do I know?" "forensic science." "But, what do I know?" "I am just a simple, southern" "But, what do I know?" "I am just a simple, southern lawyer. (chuckles)" "I am just a simple, southern lawyer. (chuckles) Objection." "Youareclearly lawyer. (chuckles) Objection." "Youareclearly from Long Island." "Objection." "Youareclearly from Long Island." "And,we'renotincourt." "from Long Island." "And,we'renotincourt." "And, you're not a lawyer." "And,we'renotincourt." "And, you're not a lawyer." "Ah,no,butIknow someone" "And, you're not a lawyer." "Ah,no,butIknow someone who is." "Ah,no,butIknow someone who is." "Please welcome my legal counsel, who is." "Please welcome my legal counsel, Chris Fabricant." "Please welcome my legal counsel, Chris Fabricant." "Chris is a lawyer with the" "Chris Fabricant." "Chris is a lawyer with the Innocence Project, an organization that works to free the wrongfully convicted." "the wrongfully convicted." "Detective,thereis amethod" "Detective,thereis amethod of forensic investigation that of forensic investigation that is scientific." "And,it'sthis--(sneezes) Oh." "It's DNA." "Oh." "It's DNA." "Get it?" "It's DNA." "Get it?" "TheInnocenceProjecthas" "Get it?" "TheInnocenceProjecthas  used DNA evidence to free 330" "TheInnocenceProjecthas  used DNA evidence to free 330 wrongfully convicted people." "used DNA evidence to free 330 wrongfully convicted people." "And about half of those people wrongfully convicted people." "And about half of those people were put there by old, outdated" "And about half of those people were put there by old, outdated forensic techniques." "were put there by old, outdated forensic techniques." "Well,isn'tDNAevidencejust  forensic techniques." "Well,isn'tDNAevidencejust  more forensic science?" "Well,isn'tDNAevidencejust  more forensic science?" "Itis,anditisn't more forensic science?" "Itis,anditisn't infallible, but DNA evidence" "Itis,anditisn't infallible, but DNA evidence was actually developed in a infallible, but DNA evidence was actually developed in a laboratory by scientists, rather was actually developed in a laboratory by scientists, rather than police officers in lab" "laboratory by scientists, rather than police officers in lab coats pretending to be than police officers in lab coats pretending to be scientists." "coats pretending to be scientists." "Real research was done before it scientists." "Real research was done before it was introduced into criminal" "Real research was done before it was introduced into criminal trials." "was introduced into criminal trials." "The Innocence Project had a trials." "The Innocence Project had a client named Ray Krone who was" "The Innocence Project had a client named Ray Krone who was a regular at a bar in Tucson, client named Ray Krone who was a regular at a bar in Tucson, Arizona, and the bartender where a regular at a bar in Tucson, Arizona, and the bartender where he used to drink was murdered" "Arizona, and the bartender where he used to drink was murdered one night." "he used to drink was murdered one night." "They had no suspects, no one night." "They had no suspects, no witnesses, and they used bite" "They had no suspects, no witnesses, and they used bite mark analysis to associate him witnesses, and they used bite mark analysis to associate him with that dead body." "mark analysis to associate him with that dead body." "And that was the only evidence with that dead body." "And that was the only evidence that connected him to that" "And that was the only evidence that connected him to that crime." "that connected him to that crime." "He spent 10 years on death row before DNA evidence exonerated him." "him." "If we want to continue to just" "If we want to continue to just throw everybody in prison, then the old techniques will work just fine." "If we want to catch the actual just fine." "If we want to catch the actual perpetrator, we need to stop" "If we want to catch the actual perpetrator, we need to stop using outdated techniques." "perpetrator, we need to stop using outdated techniques." "Andstartusingonesthat  using outdated techniques." "Andstartusingonesthat  have been proven to, uh, you" "Andstartusingonesthat  have been proven to, uh, you know, work." "have been proven to, uh, you know, work." "(groaning) know, work." "(groaning) That's just-- actually, quite" "(groaning) That's just-- actually, quite reasonable." "That's just-- actually, quite reasonable." "I'm convinced." "reasonable." "I'm convinced." "Oh." "Thesearethe moments" "I'm convinced." "Oh." "Thesearethe moments I live for-- people reluctantly" "Oh." "Thesearethe moments I live for-- people reluctantly agreeing with me. (chuckles)" "I live for-- people reluctantly agreeing with me. (chuckles) So,ifyou'reinnocent,who agreeing with me. (chuckles) So,ifyou'reinnocent,who did it?" "So,ifyou'reinnocent,who did it?" "Yeah,whodidit?" "did it?" "Yeah,whodidit?" "(reporters muttering)" "Yeah,whodidit?" "(reporters muttering) Yeah,whodidit?" "(reporters muttering) Yeah,whodidit?" "Oh,noonedid it." "Yeah,whodidit?" "Oh,noonedid it." "The dead body was just my" "Oh,noonedid it." "The dead body was just my producer, John." "The dead body was just my producer, John." "Oh, there he is as the producer, John." "Oh, there he is as the cameraman." "Oh, there he is as the cameraman." "Hi, John!" "cameraman." "Hi, John!" "(camera clicking)" "Hi, John!" "(camera clicking) Waita second." "(camera clicking) Waita second." "(echoing)Ourmemoriesjust" "Waita second." "(echoing)Ourmemoriesjust don't work like the cameras" "(echoing)Ourmemoriesjust don't work like the cameras recording this TV show." "don't work like the cameras recording this TV show." "Over the course of this episode, recording this TV show." "Over the course of this episode, I have made a compelling case..." "Over the course of this episode, I have made a compelling case..." "Areyouhappynow ?" "I have made a compelling case..." "Areyouhappynow ?" "Yeah,I am,'causenow" "Areyouhappynow ?" "Yeah,I am,'causenow  everyone knows that, so you" "Yeah,I am,'causenow  everyone knows that, so you can't trick 'em anymore." "everyone knows that, so you can't trick 'em anymore." "Cop shows like yours present can't trick 'em anymore." "Cop shows like yours present forensic science as infallible." "Cop shows like yours present forensic science as infallible." "Hey,howareyou doingthat ?" "forensic science as infallible." "Hey,howareyou doingthat ?" "Bytheway,I'm not the real" "Hey,howareyou doingthat ?" "Bytheway,I'm not the real Brandon." "Bytheway,I'm not the real Brandon." "I'm an actor." "Brandon." "I'm an actor." "Stopit!" "I'm an actor." "Stopit!" "It's a lie!" "Stopit!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "It's a lie!" "Ofcourse!" "It's a lie!" "Ofcourse!" "You faked this entire murder" "Ofcourse!" "You faked this entire murder just to film your TV show," "You faked this entire murder just to film your TV show, didn't you?" "just to film your TV show, didn't you?" "Ha,guiltyas charged." "didn't you?" "Ha,guiltyas charged." "But I only did it to inform all" "Ha,guiltyas charged." "But I only did it to inform all of you about this important" "But I only did it to inform all of you about this important issue." "of you about this important issue." "You know, hey, if using police issue." "You know, hey, if using police resources to educate people is" "You know, hey, if using police resources to educate people is a crime, well, lock me up." "resources to educate people is a crime, well, lock me up." "(chuckles) a crime, well, lock me up." "(chuckles) (door clangs)" "(chuckles) (door clangs) Huh." "(door clangs) Huh." "(grunting)" "(distant siren wailing) Here'sa funfact." "Did you know that in Scandinavia, they actually have open air prisons." "Scandinavia, they actually have open air prisons." "(grunting) open air prisons." "(grunting) Yeah,they'requite" "(grunting) Yeah,they'requite successful." "Yeah,they'requite successful." "Think about it, if we were in successful." "Think about it, if we were in Finland, we could be outside" "Think about it, if we were in Finland, we could be outside right now. (chuckles)" "Finland, we could be outside right now. (chuckles) (grunting) right now. (chuckles) (grunting) Youknow...thisisactually" "(grunting) Youknow...thisisactually much nicer than where I live." "Youknow...thisisactually much nicer than where I live." "(chuckles) much nicer than where I live." "(chuckles) (grunting)" "(chuckles) (grunting) Buddy,weweretalking." "(grunting) Buddy,weweretalking." "You tell me a fact!" "Next time, on "Adam Ruins Everything"..." ""Adam Ruins Everything"..." "It'srestaurants,isn'tit?" "It'srestaurants,isn'tit?" "Tippingisacustomwe'd be" "Tippingisacustomwe'd be better off without." "better off without." "Inever!" "Inever!" "59%wasn'ttunaatall."