Virginia will begin using familial DNA searches to identify violent criminals, Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Monday.
Investigators may now search the DNA database for people who might be closely related to people whose DNA has been found on a crime scene.
Virginia is the third state to approve such searches. Critics of the system say it can violate citizens’ privacy rights.
Authorities in Northern Virginia this month said that familial DNA could have helped them track down the so-called East Coast Rapist sooner because the suspect, Aaron H. Thomas, had a relative in the DNA database.
“This new technology will allow forensic experts to develop leads otherwise unavailable to law enforcement officers that can expedite the identification of criminals in certain cases and can get these offenders off the streets,” McDonnell said.
– Scott McCabe
