Investigative genetic genealogy
The practice of investigative genetic genealogy repurposes databases of DNA samples, originally submitted by people who were looking to find distant or lost relatives, for solving crimes.[1][2][3][4][5][6] The first case solved using this technique was the Golden State Killer.
Some of the databases which asked clients to submit their DNA, for geneology purposes, explicitly promised strict privacy terms, which did not allow sharing that data wth law enforcement officials.[1][2] But some services did allow sharing with law enforcement. It is rare for these databases to find a suspects's DNA in one go. When a search finds a match it is a partial match. Genetic experts can tell whether the match is to a sibling, a first cousin, or a more distant cousin. At that point Police seek to round out a geneology map of the family tree of the individual with the partial match.
In some jurisdictions once a criminal is convicted of a crime, their DNA is recorded. Other jurisdictions only automatically record the DNA of those convicted of a sex crime.
References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "How police use genetics and genealogy to help solve cold cases" (video). The Globe an Mail via YouTube. 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Colin Freeze; Joe Castaldo (2022-11-28). "Ontario man charged after genetic genealogy links him to two 1983 cold-case killings". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
- ↑
Sara Jabakhanji (2022-11-29). "It's an 'exciting time' for DNA genealogy in solving cold cases, experts say. But some urge caution". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
Det.-Sgt. Steve Smith, the lead investigator in the double murder case, said Toronto police have more than 700 cold cases, 43 of which have a DNA sample recovered at the scene that is thought to belong to the offender.
- ↑
Molly Hayes; Tavia Grant (2025-12-17). "How a suspected Toronto-area serial killer evaded police for decades". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2026-01-03. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
In 1976, when he was 30, Mr. Smith was convicted of raping and kidnapping a 14-year-old girl from Barrie, Ont., according to an archived newspaper clipping that The Globe unearthed and confirmed with police.
- ↑
Ethan Lang (2025-12-11). "Toronto police ID killer in 3 homicide cold cases involving young women". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-18. Retrieved 2026-01-19.
In 2016, police found a link between the deaths of Prince and Samson through a national DNA database, OPP Chief Supt. Karen Gonneau said. Then in 2017, they found a link between those two slayings and Greenidge's.
- ↑ Abby O'Brien; Daysha Loppie; Peter Edwards (2025-12-11). "Their murders baffled police for decades. Who were the Toronto women that Kenneth Smith is accused of killing?". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2026-01-19.