RosalindaA
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Here is an explanation on how IGG is used in the UK: 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)
Thank you for posting the above article for those who are not familiar with the issues involved. To be clear GedMatch has required contributors to give specific consent for law enforcement use of their profiles for several years. I fully support that this should be a prerequisite.
Therefore what is the difference between me (if I were a male) volunteering my DNA profile to police at the time of the crime to assist the enquiry, and a person uploading their profile for comparison to a public database today?
I am sure if the police come across a familial match in samples directly volunteered to them, they would use that information (as they do within the criminal DNA databank). It's just a bigger, extended family that is accessible on GedMatch, No logical difference in my opinion. The case still has to be proved by traditional gathering of additional and corroborative evidence.
I can only imagine how victims and their families feel knowing the path to justice for these life-changing crimes may be now likely so quick and accessible but no-one in authority will fight for them, unlike in the USA. And IMO it is also an issue of public safety to wilfully leave violent criminals at large when you have the means to prosecute them.