The DNA swab you submitted to find your heritage is now public information

 

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 A Minnesota man was recently charged in a 1980s murder after DNA evidence linked him to the crime. The breakthrough came when the local sheriff's department contacted Parabon, a company specializing in forensic genealogy, asking them to look at the old DNA evidence. Like the case of the Golden State Killer, Parabon was able to construct a family tree for the unknown suspect using public DNA databases. That tree pointed out three possible suspects. The police collected DNA evidence from the garbage of each suspect, and were able to link one suspect's DNA to the crime scene evidence, leading to his arrest. A judge ruled that Parabon didn't have to divulge their proprietary methods to the defense, stating that Parabon was no different than a confidential informant who points the police in the direction of a suspect, but who's information is not part of the trial evidence. These forensic DNA techniques are going to open a lot of cold cases (and add twists to many new mysteries).

Using Forensic genealogy correctly in a mystery is no small matter. To be credible, a goal we all strive for in our books, you have to do your homework and understand the science and terminology of both forensics and genealogy. While researching a DNA plot twist for a future book, I emailed one of the noted forensic genealogy practitioners and asked for guidance. After two emails it became clear my 20th century college genetics class was no longer state-of-the-art information but also left me woefully unschooled in the language of forensic genealogy.

My resource, a distant cousin who located me through common ancestors listed on a genealogy website, has collaborated with several Canadian police departments. She explained that she uses DNA testing information from numerous resources to build the criminal's genetic family tree.

Whoa! What's the difference between a genetic family tree and a public record family tree? A genetic family tree is constructed using the DNA passed through generations from the biological parents to their children. A traditional family tree lists the parents on birth certificates, family Bibles, and family trees passed from one generation to the next.

 

Isn't that the same? Most often the answer is yes. But people are discovering new cousins when they submit their DNA samples for analysis. Some of those cousins don't show up on their family trees. Through a number of circumstances, including artificial insemination, infidelity, adoption, rape, and more, there are biological parents who aren't reflected in many family trees.

 

I questioned that, and the response I got astounded me. There's a whole category of NPEs considered by genealogists. Those non-parental entities are (usually) men who contributed DNA to the family tree, but aren't listed as parents. According to my resource, a few years ago the genealogical experts thought that number was roughly 0.1% of the families. They now estimate that 10% of families have an NPE within three generations. That being the source of the newfound cousins with often unfamiliar last names.

 

An unnamed friend, gave her two siblings DNA kits for Christmas. Their gift was the knowledge that only one of them carried the DNA of the father listed on their birth certificates. One sibling was told she was the half-sibling of several children fathered by their small-town pharmacist. The oldest child found out the person who'd raised her, had married her mother after she was pregnant. Her mother assumed her husband was the father but was uncertain who her biological father had been.

 

My resource now warns people who hire her to create family trees that there is a good possibility that they'll discover a relative previously unknown, sometimes notorious, and often uninterested in acknowledging them.

My personal surprise was many generations back. A great great (keep adding greats here) grandfather, on my paternal grandmother's side was listed as the bastard child of an English Earl. A little more digging revealed that my ancestor was actually the legitimate heir to the Earldom. But, his mother died and to remarry, the Earl had his first marriage annulled, making my ancestor a child born out of wedlock, in the eyes of the church and British royalty. The oldest son of the Earl's new wife became the Earl. The next son was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The third son became the Steward of Scotland. Where does that leave me? I'm an untitled mystery author with an interesting genealogical tree.

If you decide to submit your DNA sample, be prepared for a surprise. And, be aware that your information is NOT private and may be used in a criminal investigation or future genetic medical research.