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-Lurid Crime Tales-
Golden State Killer suspect traced using genealogy websites
2018-04-27
[BBC] Californian prosecutors say genealogy websites played a key role in tracking down a man accused of being a notorious serial killer.

Joseph DeAngelo is suspected of being the so-called Golden State Killer, blamed for a spate of murders and rapes in the 1970s and 1980s.

DNA linked the crimes but police had struggled to identify the attacker.

Investigators revealed the search was narrowed with genetic information from websites used to trace family ancestry.

Mr DeAngelo, who was arrested on Tuesday, has initially been charged with eight counts of murder. He is due to make his first court appearance in Sacramento later on Friday.

Steve Grippi, chief deputy district attorney for Sacramento County, said detectives had compared the DNA to information on genealogical website databases and narrowed the search down to several families.

They then narrowed the search further by using the age profile of the killer.
Posted by:Besoeker

#5  I participate in gedmatch.com, also. I just now found this on their website:
April 27, 2018 We understand that the GEDmatch database was used to help identify the Golden State Killer. Although we were not approached by law enforcement or anyone else about this case or about the DNA, it has always been GEDmatch's policy to inform users that the database could be used for other uses, as set forth in the Site Policy ( linked to the login page and https://www.gedmatch.com/policy.php). While the database was created for genealogical research, it is important that GEDmatch participants understand the possible uses of their DNA, including identification of relatives that have committed crimes or were victims of crimes. If you are concerned about non-genealogical uses of your DNA, you should not upload your DNA to the database and/or you should remove DNA that has already been uploaded.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2018-04-27 22:11  

#4  Some people (Shaun King, Rachel "Blackface" Dolezal, our "high cheekbones Fauxcahontas" Elizabeth Warren, et al ) are noticeably unenthusiastic to provide DNA
Posted by: Frank G   2018-04-27 18:45  

#3  Being doing genealogy for over 20 years. I am still surprised that family members don't discuss their own family trees among themselves and when they get their DNA tested, often do not tell their own relatives. There are mathematical tools that can be applied to a group of DNA tests that may greatly clarify family trees.
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2018-04-27 18:02  

#2   I discussed this issue with a friend of mine on the phone. I've known him for 13 years. He confessed that he does not know his paternal grandfather - news to me! His own father was adopted at birth. I told him he might be able to ID his paternal grandfather using his personal DNA test results from 5 years ago, combined with the results of his sister. News to him!
Posted by: Anguper Hupomosing9418   2018-04-27 17:59  

#1  I'm just going to place this story in my suspicions proven true basket.
Posted by: swksvolFF   2018-04-27 16:35  

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