June 06, 2019
In a Canadian first, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) is using DNA information from genealogy websites to try and crack a cold case.
The VPD is currently working with a US company to match DNA found at a 2003 crime scene to a killer. Previous attempts to match this DNA to the Canadian law enforcement databank of known criminals have been unsuccessful so the search was broadened to include DNA information stored on public genealogical websites. The hope is the team will be able to find either a perfect DNA match to the killer or a blood relative that will lead the investigators closer to an arrest.
This technique was used successfully in the US where DNA information on a genealogy website was used to track down, the suspected ‘Golden State Killer’ last year. The VPD is hopeful it will also lead to a suspect in this 16-year-old cold case.
Source: CBC
Read more: http://ow.ly/HS2G50uvz91
