DNA testing may open doors for law enforcement: CTV legal analyst
CTV
Investigators on Prince Edward Island are crediting genetic DNA testing in helping them arrest a man in connection to the 1988 murder of Byron Carr, and it looks like the technology could open doors to solving other unresolved cases.
Investigators on Prince Edward Island are crediting genetic DNA testing in helping them arrest a man in connection to the 1988 murder of Byron Carr, and it looks like the technology could open doors to solving other unresolved cases.
This method uses a suspect's relative's DNA from sources like Ancestry.com or 23andMe to help make a connection in finding those responsible in decades-old cold cases.
Defence lawyer and CTV legal analyst Ari Goldkind said the process has become increasingly popular for law enforcement, citing cases like the famous Golden State Killer’s as a high-profile example of genetic DNA being used to find a suspect.
“That arrest came about simply because of genealogical DNA, 23andMe, Ancestory.com testing where the police are able to, in very cold cases, and when I say cold cases, I mean ice-cold cases, try and extract a connection from a family member, a cousin, a distant relative's DNA,” Goldkind said in an interview with CTV Atlantic’s Todd Battis Monday.
“For the families who have to live for decades, and we aren’t talking a year or two, who have to live for decades with no closure, no ability to have a proper funeral, no ability to properly grieve, this is an extremely important step in policing.”
While the new technology can be an exciting step for law enforcement, Goldkind said there are also a number of privacy issues that as a lawyer he needs to keep an eye out for.
“What are the steps being taken by police, are they fair? Are the people who are offering their DNA doing so willingly? Is a police officer going to trail a distant cousin in an In-and-Out Burger or McDonald's and picking up a disposed napkin?” he said.
