So, I don't know how many of you follow this kinda stuff in the news, but basically there is a new-ish technology being used by law enforcement now to solve cold cases. It's called familial DNA or genealogy DNA technology. I'm sure even some of you who don't follow this very closely have heard about the Golden State Killer case being solved this year. This was due in large part to this new technology(along with hard detective work of course). Many other lesser known cases have been solved using this technology this year. The number increases every week. Families are getting justice for their loved ones who have had brutal crimes happen to them and have lived in the dark for so many years wondering who took their loved ones away and wondering if the perpetrators will ever be brought to justice.
If you don't know how this technology works, basically how it works is, if law enforcement gets a DNA sample at a crime scene, they then run that sample through DNA genealogy databases(like 23andMe, but not that specifically, because it's not public and they don't allow law enforcement access). GEDMatch is one commonly used, for example. All people of the same bloodline will have partially matching DNA, even if it is a distant cousin. So what law enforcement can now do is if they have a DNA sample of unknown John Doe killer, they run his DNA through these databases and if they get a partial match, they will know they have identified someone in this John Doe killer's family. So at that point, all they have to do is using law enforcement resources, go through that family tree and find a person or persons who best fit the most likely perpetrator, discreetly collect their DNA and identify the killer.
This technology is truly a game changer. Countless cold cases are already being solved this year alone and it has really just started to be used. There is also Parabon NanoLabs that helps, by using one's DNA to construct a digital image of what the person may look like and analyze their DNA based on genetic traits.
But here's how you can help. If every one of you submit your DNA to these databases, then you ostensibly have your family tree's DNA now in the database. So if a distant cousin of yours commits a murder, law enforcement would be able to make the link using your submitted DNA. So basically one person is essentially just as good as having your entire family(blood line) all submit their DNA individually. So if each of you submit your DNA, there would literally be nowhere for these killers to hide, assuming if a crime is committed, a sample is left behind. The more family bloodlines in these databases, the greater chance a partial match would be discovered. If you've ever watched cold case documentaries or shows, or saw news specials on TV of heartbroken families who have lost loved ones and the killer was never found, this is a great way to help.
If you're interested, I recommend using GEDMatch, it's the main one law enforcement uses. I'm not sponsoring anything, I'm just someone who is from a family with a long line of police officers, so justice has always meant a lot to me, and you see a lot of things being pushed through the media today about how every John Doe or Jane Doe can make a real life difference, and this is actually one of those opportunities. I simply don't see it talked about in the media enough, and this is a big community, so I figured I'd bring it to your attention for anyone here who doesn't already know about it. Thanks if you're willing to help, and if not, no big deal either.
Everyone, enjoy your holidays
If you don't know how this technology works, basically how it works is, if law enforcement gets a DNA sample at a crime scene, they then run that sample through DNA genealogy databases(like 23andMe, but not that specifically, because it's not public and they don't allow law enforcement access). GEDMatch is one commonly used, for example. All people of the same bloodline will have partially matching DNA, even if it is a distant cousin. So what law enforcement can now do is if they have a DNA sample of unknown John Doe killer, they run his DNA through these databases and if they get a partial match, they will know they have identified someone in this John Doe killer's family. So at that point, all they have to do is using law enforcement resources, go through that family tree and find a person or persons who best fit the most likely perpetrator, discreetly collect their DNA and identify the killer.
This technology is truly a game changer. Countless cold cases are already being solved this year alone and it has really just started to be used. There is also Parabon NanoLabs that helps, by using one's DNA to construct a digital image of what the person may look like and analyze their DNA based on genetic traits.
But here's how you can help. If every one of you submit your DNA to these databases, then you ostensibly have your family tree's DNA now in the database. So if a distant cousin of yours commits a murder, law enforcement would be able to make the link using your submitted DNA. So basically one person is essentially just as good as having your entire family(blood line) all submit their DNA individually. So if each of you submit your DNA, there would literally be nowhere for these killers to hide, assuming if a crime is committed, a sample is left behind. The more family bloodlines in these databases, the greater chance a partial match would be discovered. If you've ever watched cold case documentaries or shows, or saw news specials on TV of heartbroken families who have lost loved ones and the killer was never found, this is a great way to help.
If you're interested, I recommend using GEDMatch, it's the main one law enforcement uses. I'm not sponsoring anything, I'm just someone who is from a family with a long line of police officers, so justice has always meant a lot to me, and you see a lot of things being pushed through the media today about how every John Doe or Jane Doe can make a real life difference, and this is actually one of those opportunities. I simply don't see it talked about in the media enough, and this is a big community, so I figured I'd bring it to your attention for anyone here who doesn't already know about it. Thanks if you're willing to help, and if not, no big deal either.
Everyone, enjoy your holidays
