How DNA Tied to a Noted French-Horn Teacher to a String of Unsolved Sex Crimes

February 23, 2023

(Wall Street Journal) – The use of genetic genealogy to solve cold cases—and identify John/Jane Does—has exploded in recent years with the popularity of commercial genetic-research databases. The databases can give law enforcement access to troves of genetic information they can then link to the DNA of unknown suspects. Police have successfully used the approach to crack infamous cases such as the Golden State Killer, in 2018. In 2020, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. pleaded guilty to the 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. 

The strategy has also drawn scrutiny from some state lawmakers and legal experts over privacy concerns and a lack of oversight. (Read More)