The Journal. · Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Genetic genealogy, powered by the rise of recreational DNA testing, has become a transformative tool for law enforcement in the United States, particularly in solving cold cases. Tens of millions of Americans have submitted DNA to commercial databases, which are now being used by police to identify suspects.
“In the last decade in the United States, a new way of solving crimes, especially cold cases, has revolutionized law enforcement: genetic genealogy.”
“Tens of millions of Americans have voluntarily submitted their DNA to these databases.”
“But law enforcement saw those huge databases of DNA information and realized they had another possible use, something most people hadn't intended their DNA to be used for: solving crimes.”