PBS NewsHour

genetic genealogy

Science Nov 07

A father took an at-home DNA test. His son was then falsely accused of murder

By William Brangham, Nsikan Akpan, Rhana Natour

Michael Usry said police officers should be allowed to use the tools that they're given to catch criminals, but given his experience, he worries about the possible misuse of "powerful" DNA techniques like genetic genealogy. Photo by William Brangham

Genetic genealogy can help solve cold cases. It can also accuse the wrong person.

For law enforcement, the case for using genetic genealogy is strong. But it's not foolproof.

By Nsikan Akpan

In the past, law enforcement could not match genetic profiles in their forensic databases with DNA records stored in ancestry sites. Photo by KTSDESIGN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/via Getty Images

DNA ancestry searches can now identify most white Americans. Here’s why that’s legally questionable

Police identified the Golden State Killer with a genetic ancestry search for his distant relatives. These two studies show how easy that could be done for anyone.

By Nsikan Akpan

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Nation Jul 09

Police say Black man found hanging in California died by suicide

By Stefanie Dazio, Christopher Weber, Associated Press

Nation Jul 09

Big Ten colleges will only play conference football, fall sports due to pandemic

By John Zenor, Associated Press

Health Jul 09

These countries tamed coronavirus. Here’s what the U.S. can learn

By Laura Santhanam

Nation Jul 09

Ousted U.S. prosecutor tells panel Barr ‘urged’ him to resign

By Lisa Mascaro, Associated Press

Health Jul 09

Mississippi sees big virus outbreak in state legislature

By Emily Wagster Pettus, Associated Press

World Jul 09

Serbia bans mass gatherings after virus lockdown protests

By Jovana Gec, Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press

Politics Jul 09

Ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen back in federal prison

By Associated Press

Science Jul 09

U.N. warns world could hit 1.5-degree warming threshold by 2024

By Nadine Achoui-Lesage, Frank Jordans, Associated Press

Health Jul 09

Aerosols may play a larger role in COVID-19 transmission than previously thought

By Byron Erath, Andrea Ferro, Goodarz Ahmadi, The Conversation

Politics Jul 09

WATCH: Trump signs White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative executive order

By Aamer Madhani, Jill Colvin, Associated Press

Politics Jul 09

WATCH: Biden proposes $700 billion ‘Buy American’ campaign

By Bill Barrow, Marc Levy, Associated Press

Health Jul 09

Analysis: Retractions and controversies over coronavirus research show the scientific process is working

By Mark R. O'Brian, The Conversation