How cold case DNA technique came to Ottawa from California — and where it’s headed next
Family tree enthusiasts and the websites that cater to them are playing a crucial role in helping police solve decades-old homicides, including cases right here in Ottawa. The groundbreaking technique of investigative genetic genealogy, which involves using DNA to find relatives of unidentified suspects and victims of crime, has been gaining traction in recent years.
One of the most high-profile cases where this technique was used was in the identification of the Nation River Lady, who was found dead nearly 50 years ago. Thanks to investigative genetic genealogy, she was later identified as Jewell Parchman Langford, and her alleged killer is currently facing murder charges. More recently, Ottawa police used this technique to identify a suspect in the 1996 stabbing death of a man on the Portage Bridge. Lawrence Diehl, now 73, is facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the case.
Sgt. Chris O’Brien, who was tasked with identifying cases that could benefit from investigative genetic genealogy, described the process as long and painstaking. The first step was to identify cases with DNA profiles belonging to unknown suspects that didn’t match any records in traditional DNA databases. Once the Smith case was identified, Ottawa police uploaded the suspect’s DNA profile to GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA, where users who have opted in can compare their DNA. With the help of genetic genealogists, they were able to build family trees and narrow down potential suspects.
Anne Marie Schubert, the former district attorney for Sacramento County, California, who was instrumental in using investigative genetic genealogy to identify the Golden State Killer, spoke about the tremendous potential of the technique in solving violent crimes. She emphasized the need for proper funding, equipment, training, and public policy to ensure that the technique is used ethically and responsibly.
Despite its success in solving cases, Canada currently lacks laws regulating investigative genetic genealogy, leaving Canadians vulnerable to privacy violations. Schubert stressed the importance of achieving a balance between genetic privacy rights and public safety to ensure that the technique continues to be a valuable tool in solving cold cases.
Overall, investigative genetic genealogy has proven to be a game-changer in the world of crime-solving, with the potential to bring closure to families and justice to victims. As long as it is managed appropriately and ethically, it has the capacity to solve many more cases that have remained unsolved for decades.
