[Roccus]

Simply cannot understand people voluntarily giving up their DNA and expecting government to NOT get its hands on it and use however it sees fit.

[plain talk]

Right. If you murder someone you may not want to offer up your DNA. :-)

[CIB-173RDABN]

Simply cannot understand people voluntarily giving up their DNA and expecting government to NOT get its hands on it and use however it sees fit.

---

The suspected killer did not put his DNA up. Someone he is related to did.

DNA is a fantastic boon to someone doing genealogy research. I spent 40 years and barely reached the 1900s. Today with DNA I have information going back to the late 1600s.

[Boogieman]

You don’t even have to give up your DNA. Your 5th cousin thrice removed could submit his DNA and it will point back to you, since you both carry some marker that only .000001% of the population have.

[LTC.Ret]

As a soldier, I gave my DNA to the government many years ago -— don’t want any more in the tomb of the unknown when there is a way to identify any remains found and bring closure to grieving families. However, Uncle Sam doesn’t share any information with ME!!! Therefore, I had to buy DNA service to find out the things I am interested in. IF I have a relative, near or distant, that committed a heinous crime and is hiding, I can’t feel bad if my DNA finds that criminal and aids in the prosecution. Just my opinion.

[bort]

I understand what you were saying. However, in a lot of these cases the police obtain DNA profiles of family members who sign up for Ancestry.com. The police then narrow down potential suspects who are family members of those who submitted their DNA profiles. Bottom line: If Anyone in your family submits a DNA sample, the police can ultimately link it to you.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

I have never yet heard of a Cold Case killer sending his DNA into one of these public DNA databases. And I am sure this Marine didn't do it either, unless he is suffering from Advanced Dementia or something.

The way the story goes of how these guys get caught is something like this:

• The Cold Case investigators periodically monitor the public databases.
• Eventually somebody like, say, the second cousin of the perp is given a DNA test kit for her birthday from her kids.
• The investigators are alerted, and they focus on this woman.
• They compile a list of all her second cousins, and maybe first cousins and third cousins if the "degree of confidence" warrants.
• Then they research everyone on that list to see who lived near the same place and time as the murder victim.
• One of those people will stick out like a sore thumb, to the point where the investigators are 100% sure he's the perp. But that's not enough for a conviction, so one more step is needed.
• There are 1000 ways to collect a suspect's DNA without them knowing. One of the common methods: When they finish their water bottle or cup of something & toss it in the trash.

Once you have their DNA on file, and it matches 100% to the perp's DNA, you go arrest them.

[4yearlurker]

My older brother had his DNA history done through 23&me. That’s just like me having my DNA done I would think. Maybe I’m wrong but wouldn’t we have the identical DNA?

[Ouderkirk]

Not just you....your relatives too.

[Born to Conserve]

They don’t need to match a sample to your DNA, a cousin is close enough. They can also now print out a mug shot of your face from your DNA.

If you are going to commit a crime, make sure you take along a salt shaker full of DNA from a few thousand random people. I’m sure this is already being done — there are probably websites selling the stuff.