DNA: ID - Podcast Rankings and reviews

When I first discovered DNA: ID a couple of years ago, I routinely found myself thinking “I wish they could all be this well researched and presented”. Unfortunately, they aren’t. Some hosts have a good comportment, but their material is lacking. Others are wonderfully researched and thoughtful, yet they lack any “presence”. Thankfully, there is a podcast where all good things coalesce. That podcast is this one – DNA: ID.

Ms. Bettencourt routinely makes me wish there was some way she could do *every single podcast* I listen to. Her voice is engaging and pleasant. Her cadence is easy to follow, to me. She is so thorough that I often feel like there isn’t any other detail I might need to know about a particular case after having listened to her exhaustive, yet easy to consume, presentations.

The wonderful aural presentation would not mean anything, given the subject, without her humanity. And that is what shines through above all else. I sense that she “lives” with these cases as she is researching them, and I’m sure they all have a lasting impact on her heart. Whether she knows that or not, that does come through in the podcasts. For her, I could almost say this seems like it’s a “calling”. She’s that good. While it may not be at the top of the true crime ‘charts’ (silly such a thing exists); DNA: ID is the best show in the “genre” on your favorite podcast feed.

Learned of this podcast through Murder in my Family (another good one) and absolutely love the structure and style. It is very factual and leans heavily on primary sources. Interviewing Paul Holes early on provided instant credibility. The episodes don’t end with a mystery, the criminals are outed (sometimes posthumously) and, best of all, there are answers for the families. This has become my favorite true crime podcast and I enjoy hearing the back catalog. Hope the formula doesn’t change.

This podcast expertly reviews cold cases where forensic investigative genetic genealogy provided the leads that helped law-enforcement solve the case or identify missing persons or victims of violent crimes.

Love this podcast. One of the best on my playlist. My only critical feedback is the commercials are unannounced and like ten times louder than the podcast narration. I usually wear ear buds and if I’m not able to quickly adjust the volume it’s like getting stabbed in the ear. Please fix this. Thank you and keep up the good work.

Reading police reports as if they are bedtime stories aren’t respectful of families or loved ones. You should always contact families before deciding to sensationalize & monetize their trauma as well as their daily suffering. Krista Martin’s life is not yours to speculate on. Her murder is not yours to make quips about. We lived it. Others have lived theirs. Look up the word ethics. Then try to live it. True crime isn’t entertainment it’s education. It’s awareness. I hope there comes a day where these types of behaviors have consequences.

I love this podcast and subscribed right away. Jessica is such a pro and presents everything in a clear and thorough way. Even the shorter episodes are more informative than long series I have listened to.