DNA Detectives

Learn how DNA, Genealogy and Genetics are solving cold cases and bringing criminals to justice in this 3 part series with local author, Tom Riley. Genealogy is more than the study of old bones and bloodlines. Modern advances in forensics using DNA, Genetics and Genealogy are cracking cold cases and are bringing perpetrators of horrendous crimes to justice. It has led to the capture and incarceration of tens of thousands of criminals. By using public genealogy websites like GEDMATCH investigators ask genealogists to create a Family Tree. This is how the Golden State Killer was captured. They found a DNA match to his 3rd cousin. The cousin told the investigators that his cousin was a retired policeman. He was arrested and sentenced for committing 14 murders. He had eluded law enforcement for over 35 years. Today forensic investigators are solving cold cases that are 40, 50 and even sixty years old. We owe this achievement in Genetic Fingerprinting to Sir Alec Jeffreys, a British geneticist. Northvale - Community Meeting Room: Back, Northvale Public Library