Virginia will begin using familial DNA searches to identify violent criminals, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Monday.
The tool will allow investigators to search the DNA database for people who might be closely related to an unknown individuals not in the database whose DNA has been found on a crime seen. Authorities in Northern Virginia said that familial DNA could have helped them track down the East Coast Rapist more swiftly because the suspect, Aaron H. Thomas, had a relative in the DNA system.
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