We hope you are enjoying this unofficial last weekend of the summer! 

Back on topic, we’ve been monitoring the development of a relatively new investigation tool  in law enforcement and litigation closely; that of prosecutors, the FBI and other investigative/authorized agencies using the DNA samplings of relatives to locate potential criminals/defendants.

In the majority of familial DNA usage cases,  the jurisdictional agency will run a suspect’s genetic material through the FBI’s 6 million+ DNA samples database.   States are scrambling to legislate procedure for this investigative tool.  The ABA cites California as having already set up familial DNA usage protocol.

In unusual cases, (see: NPR reports of matching familial DNA in capturing the BTK (Bind, Torture and Kill) murderer) normal, routine medical samples (in the BTK killer case, his daughter’s pap smear test) are being subpoenaed for testing within the FBI’s DNA database.

Furthering compounding the issue are potential situations of identical DNA, such as has occurred in the German case involving identical twins, ultimately released without being charged, as it could not be determined which brother had perpetrated a massive jewelry heist. 

Strap in tight.  It’s going to be a bumpy road, folks.

BNI Operatives: Street smart; Web Savvy.

Our wishes for a healthy, sane and relaxing Labor Day!

As always, be safe.

TIP OF THE WEEK FOR OUR SUBSCRIBED READERS:  How to confirm the death status of a subject, without his/her SSN.

Filed under: crime, dna testing, evidence, fbi, forensic, invasion of privacy, privacy Tagged: | aba, BTK, BTK Killer, california, criminals, database, defendant, DNA, dna testing, familial DNA, family, fbi, identical twins, investigation, jewlery, law enforcement, legal, murder, murderer, prosecutor, states, testing, theft, thief