DNA Tests and Law Enforcement -- Another Reminder

You may have seen some reporting the past few days about genetic genealogy being used to identify criminals. And you may have some concerns but please do not panic about your DNA tests.

First, remember reporters often use the phrase "ancestry DNA" which is what causes total confusion with regards to what is happening. When they say "ancestry DNA" they most often do not mean the company service AncestryDNA but it is too easy for listeners/viewers to make that mistake. Honestly, there needs to be a better term they could use. Even genetic genealogy has several meanings. It also does not help when the reporting uses the logos of various genealogy/DNA testing companies when some of them do not allow law enforcement to use their databases. Confusing -- right?

So with regards to the AncestryDNA, you simply need to look at its self-produced Transparency Report to see that it has not turned over any DNA information to law enforcement. The report comes out twice a year -- January - June and July to December. Now, that does not mean these genetic/forensic/law enforcement researchers have not looked at public trees on Ancestry with the clues they have received from those companies that do allow law enforcement into their databases.

23andMe another company mentioned in the reporting also does not allow law enforcement into its databases.

For a reminder of who allows law enforcement in and who does not, see our post from January 1, 2023, on DNA and Law Enforcement are in the News ... Again -- So Be Informed.

We also spotted this journal article, the should be of help in understanding the subject.

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