Pages

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

DNA tests, genomics database, criminal investigations & some intriguing questions

FIRST ARTICLE

Title:
Genetic database that identified Golden State Killer acquired by crime scene DNA company

Author:
Nicole Wetsman

Published:
The Verge, 10 December 2019

From the this article:
"The crime scene DNA sequencing company Verogen announced yesterday that they've acquired the genomics database and GEDmatch. The acquisition makes the relationship between the company and law enforcement explicit, but raises uncomfortable questions for users and experts about data privacy and the future direction of the platform.

GEDmatch was primarily used by genealogists until 2018, when police, the FBI, and a forensic genealogist identified the suspected Golden State Killer by tying crime scene DNA to relatives who had uploaded their genetic information to the site. Since then, the platform has helped identify around 70 people accused of violent crimes."

This article raises the question "about data privacy and the future direction of the platform." 

To read more:
https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/10/21005443/golden-state-killer-genetic-database-identity-company-acquisition-crime-scene-dna-data


SECOND ARTICLE

Title:
When a DNA test says you're a younger man, who lives 5,000 miles away

Author:
Heather Murphy

Published:
The New York Times, 7 December 2019

From the article:
"Three months after his bone marrow transplant, Chris Long of Reno, Nev., learned that the DNA in his blood had changed. It had all been replaced by the DNA of his donor, a German man he had exchanged just a handful of messages with."

This article touches on some fascinating genetic and forensic science questions.

To read this article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/07/us/dna-bone-marrow-transplant-crime-lab.html