In 2018, a new tool for crime solving rose to prominence as the notorious Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo, who remained under the radar for years was finally unmasked using new tool for crime solving called forensic genetic geneology. The scientist team used resource from a genetic genealogy website – GEDmatch, the platform which serves as a place where users can upload their DNA data files to compare their genetic relationships with others to identify their genetic roots.
Forensic genetic genealogy relies on genetic relationships between a DNA profile for an unknown person and profiles of known people in genealogy databases, such as GEDmatch, FamilyTreeDNA, or DNASolves. To begin, investigators upload their unknown DNA profile to the site, which generates a list of the closest genetic matches, based on how many centimorgans (cM) of DNA are shared with the unknown person. Next, investigators will begin to build back the unknown person’s family tree until a common ancestor is uncovered. Then, they will build the family trees forward, identifying every descendent possible, using traditional genealogy techniques. Once the trees have been fully built out, investigators look to identify candidate person that might match the unknown person. Once a person of interest has been identified, new DNA can collected to compare to the original forensic sample.
The ISHI (International Symposium on Human Identification) brought a series in collaboration with Othram that showcased the important work being done behind the scenes to solve cold cases with the help of new tool in crime solving – Genetic Geneology.
We’ll meet the analysts performing the DNA work, investigators, victim advocates, and may even speak to family members of some of the victims to hear how forensic genetic genealogy is transforming how cold cases are investigated. For years, these killers escaped justice; maybe forensic genetic genealogy really was the missing piece.
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