Four misconceptions about investigative genetic genealogy

Abstract

Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is a new technique for identifying criminal suspects that has sparked controversy. The technique involves uploading a crime scene DNA profile to one or more genetic genealogy databases with the intention of identifying a criminal offender’s genetic relatives and, eventually, locating the offender within the family tree. IGG was used to identify the Golden State Killer in 2018 and it is now being used in connection with hundreds of cases in the USA. Yet, as more law enforcement agencies conduct IGG, the privacy implications of the technique have come under scrutiny. While these issues deserve careful attention, we are concerned that their discussion is, at times, based on misunderstandings related to how IGG is used in criminal investigations and how IGG departs from traditional investigative techniques. Here, we aim to clarify and sharpen the public debate by addressing four misconceptions about IGG. We begin with a detailed description of IGG as it is currently practiced: what it is and—just as important—what it is not. We then examine misunderstood or not widely known aspects of IGG that are potentially confusing efforts to have constructive discussions about its future. We conclude with recommendations intended to support the productivity of those discussions.

Bridging Disciplines to Form a New One: The Emergence of Forensic Genetic Genealogy

“…The FTDNA database has greater than 1.7 million user datafiles. All general users (i.e., non-law enforcement) can opt-in or opt-out for law enforcement matching, with an estimated 96% of US users (data sourced in 2020) within the database opted-in [ 27 ]. FTDNA has a suite of genetic genealogy tools available within their database, e.g., a chromosome browser, chromosome painting, biogeographic ancestry prediction, matrices, etc.…”

Commercial DNA tests and police investigations: a broad bioethical perspective

“…43 Over 96% of US-based FamilyTreeDNA users are opted in to law enforcement access. 21 In contrast to FamilyTreeDNA, GEDmatch had abandoned its opt-out policy for law enforcement access and required customers to opt in. This was the result of a controversy following the access of the database in a case of severe assault, which lead to the arrest of a 17-year old.…”

“…A recent article on the misconceptions of IGG states that ‘genetic genealogy database participants are themselves the ultimate check on the indiscriminate conduct of IGG’. 21 In the following, we will argue that this check is insufficient; ethical decision-making on IGG should not primarily be left to individual consumers.…”

“…Still, it has been argued that in a regular criminal investigation, also many innocent people are involved and perhaps even more than in an investigation that uses IGG. 21 That may well be true, as IGG has a high potential to single-out a suspect, especially in cold cases that would otherwise require a large criminal investigation covering many innocent people. However, our point does not involve the number of people targeted in a single criminal investigation.…”

Uprooting Racial Health Disparities

“…Genealogy may represent the oldest and most "public" of all history (Cox, 1984). This popular pastime and growing profession thrives globally (Aiken, 2020;Cati, 2020;Davison, 2009;de Jesús Alejandré et al, 2022;Everett, 2011;Guerrini et al, 2021;Lima, 2019), especially in North America (Lambert, 1996). Often genealogy is considered as an act of associating generations of relatives using family tree or pedigree charts that includes dates.…”