Relative's DNA from genealogy websites cracked East Area Rapist case

Re:Relative's DNA from genealogy websites cracked East Area ... by fixermark on Friday April 27, 2018 @04:00PM (#16943823)

Will he? I believe this novel use of a private DNA database is so novel that there may not be any governing case law on whether it's a violation of privacy.

The scanned individuals opted in for relative matching. The fact those people were relatives of John Doe is publicly-documented knowledge in birth records and not susceptible to a privacy challenge.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Relative's DNA from genealogy websites cracked East Area ... by tantalor on Friday April 27, 2018 @04:22PM (#16943969)

We know states are prohibited from storing biometrics (DNA, fingerprints) of law abiding people for law enforcement purposes. Then it follows they are prohibited to outsource the same to third parties.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Relative's DNA from genealogy websites cracked East Area ... by fixermark on Friday April 27, 2018 @04:58PM (#16944267)

That's a reasonable train of thought. IANAL, so I don't know if it actually holds water in court.

[ Parent | on HN ]