Introduction

Forensic genealogy is simply a way to match the genetic data base of the nearest relative of the perpetrator whose DNA has been found at the crime scene. It involves using the DNA data base like GEDMatch for purpose of comparison from the sample found from the crime scene with the database Populus to find the closest genealogical match.

Forensic genealogy, put simply, involves using a DNA database such as GEDmatch to compare a sample (generally obtained from a crime scene) to the database populous to search for closest genealogical matches. From there, investigators can create a family tree by combining the genetic data with other data types (such as electronic health records, social media, and public records) and practise them to narrow down which person(s) could qualify as being potentially involved in the case (either as victims or perpetrators) based on factors such as age or known geographic location at the time of the occurrence (www.law.cornell.edu, 1996).

Once said individuals have been identified, law enforcement then tries to acquire a current DNA sample of the suspected individual to compare with that obtained from the crime scene to check whether it is a match. This technique was used to recognise a suspect in a case called the Golden State Killer case (www.theatlantic.com, 2018). In another recent case, through the use of such searches, a man in California was exonerated subsequently spending 15 years in prison for a crime he didn’t committed, showing just how powerful this tool can be as a vehicle of justice (www.theguardian.com, 2020).

That said, qualms have arisen over the unsolicited use of such data since most people being assessed during these law enforcement searches did not consent to having their information used for this purpose—even though the suspects identified through familial searches also have not surely shared voluntarily their genetic profile even if one of their genetic relatives has done so. To address these concerns, some entities have responded by doing more to protect user information. GEDmatch, for example, has edited its privacy policy to allow users to choose between two public DNA settings: opt-in and opt-out—the only difference being that an opt-out user cannot have their DNA compared with ‘‘DNA kits acknowledged as being uploaded for Law Enforcement purposes” (www.gedmatch.com, 2019).