One of my long unanswered questions about the investigation is if they plan to use genetic genealogy to identify a suspect. Police Officer Jeremy Schuette told me that’s in the plan, but it doesn’t sound like they’ve done it yet.
The use of genealogy to solve crimes has emerged as a revolutionary tool in forensic investigations, significantly advancing the field of criminal justice. This approach primarily involves uploading DNA profiles obtained from crime scenes to public genealogy databases (i.e., 23&me, Ancestry, etc.) to compare to and help identify potential suspects through family connections, sometimes decades after the crimes were committed!
Process
DNA Collection: DNA from a crime scene is gathered and then analyzed to create a profile.
Database Matching: This profile is uploaded to genealogy databases like GEDmatch or FamilyTreeDNA.
Family Tree Construction: Genetic genealogists use partial matches to build family trees and identify potential relatives.
Narrowing Down Suspects: By combining genetic information with traditional investigative methods, such as checking age, location, and other biographical details, investigators can pinpoint a suspect. Investigators even comb through suspects' trash for comparison samples!
Key Cases That Used Genealogical Forensics
The Golden State Killer Case:
The most famous case solved through genetic genealogy is that of the Golden State Killer. 72-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo was identified and arrested in 2018 after law enforcement uploaded DNA from crime scenes to GEDmatch. They built a family tree from the partial matches found and according to Paul Holes, a retired cold case investigator, matched a discarded DNA sample from his home to evidence from the investigation. DeAngelo is believed to be behind 12 deaths and at least 50 rapes in 10 counties in California from 1974 through 1986. How Genetic Genealogy Helped Catch the Golden State Killer
April Tinsley Murder: In 2018, genetic genealogy was used to solve the 1988 murder of 8-year-old April Tinsley. The suspect left his DNA on April's body and on threatening notes he used to taunt police 16 years later. Genetic genealogist CeCe Moore determined that the murderer was either John D. Miller or his brother. On July 9, investigators secretly pulled used condoms from Miller's trash and sent them to the state crime lab. Three days later, they got confirmation that Miller's DNA matched the suspect's.
Jay Cook and Tanya Van Cuylenborg Murders: Genetic genealogy helped solve the 1987 double murder of 20-year-old Jay Cook and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Tanya Van Cuylenborg. Police matched the DNA left at the scene to the profiles of two people on GEDMatch. After building a family tree, they identified a second cousin, William Earl Talbott II. They found a match after comparing a cup Talbott discarded with the semen found at the scene. He was arrested in 2018. How a Childhood Halloween Photo Helped a Woman Uncover a Killer in her Family Tree
Ethical and Legal Considerations
Privacy Concerns:
The use of public genealogy databases has raised significant privacy concerns. Critics argue that individuals who submit their DNA for genealogical purposes may unknowingly implicate their relatives in criminal investigations. Police are Getting DNA Data From People Who Think They Opted Out
Some databases, like GEDmatch, have updated their terms of service to allow users to opt-in or out of law enforcement use. GEDmatch: Join the Genetic Witness Program
Regulatory Measures:
There is ongoing debate about the need for regulations to govern the use of genetic genealogy in law enforcement. Balancing public safety with individual privacy rights remains a key challenge.
Policies are being developed to ensure ethical standards and protect against misuse.
Future Implications
Expansion of Use:
Genetic genealogy is expected to become more prevalent in solving cold cases and identifying unknown victims. Its success in high-profile cases has demonstrated its potential as a powerful investigative tool.
Continued advancements in DNA technology and database expansion will likely enhance its efficacy.
Legal Precedents:
As more cases are solved using genetic genealogy, legal precedents will shape its application and address emerging ethical concerns.
Courts will play a crucial role in defining the boundaries and ensuring the protection of constitutional rights in this new investigative landscape .
References
The integration of genetic genealogy into forensic investigations exemplifies the profound impact of technological advancements on law enforcement, while also highlighting the need for careful ethical and legal oversight.
What do you think? Would you allow your DNA to be used to identify a suspect in a crime??
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Would you allow your DNA to be used to identify a suspect in a crime?
Yes, definitely!
No way!
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