Research and analysis

Use of genetic genealogy techniques to assist with solving crimes

A report from the Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group on the feasibility of using genetic genealogy resources for the identification of suspects in criminal cases in the UK.

• From: Biometrics and Forensics Ethics Group
• Published: 9 September 2020

Documents

Should we be making use of genetic genealogy to assist in solving crime? A report on the feasibility of such methods in the UK (accessible version)

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Should we be making use of genetic genealogy to assist in solving crime? A report on the feasibility of such methods in the UK

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Details

This report explains how genetic genealogy works and how it has been used to identify suspects in criminal cases outside the UK. The technical and economic challenges are described, and the use of the method is compared with traditional familial searching that is currently in use. Most activity so far has been in the USA, and the report addresses the feasibility and necessity of using such methods in the UK.

Published 9 September 2020