Cold Case Inquiries Stall After Ancestry.com Revisits Policy for Users
David Gurney, the head of Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey, recently expressed significant concerns regarding the impact of losing access to Ancestry.com on ongoing investigations. The center specializes in utilizing genetic genealogy to solve cold cases and unidentified remains, leveraging DNA testing and family trees to identify individuals and provide closure to families. Ancestry.com has been a vital resource for these investigations, offering extensive databases and tools that help genealogists trace lineage and familial connections. The sudden loss of access to this platform has created a substantial setback for Gurney and his team, who rely heavily on these resources to connect DNA evidence with potential relatives.
The implications of this loss extend beyond mere inconvenience; it hampers the center’s ability to assist law enforcement agencies in solving critical cases. For instance, Gurney highlighted that many unsolved cases could be resolved through the insights gained from genetic genealogy. The center has successfully identified victims and suspects in various cases, showcasing the effectiveness of this innovative approach. Without access to Ancestry, Gurney fears that progress in these investigations may stall, leaving many families without answers and justice unserved. The situation raises broader questions about the accessibility of genetic resources and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of personal genetic data in forensic contexts. As Gurney and his team navigate this challenge, their commitment to utilizing cutting-edge techniques in investigative work remains steadfast, underscoring the importance of collaboration between genealogical resources and law enforcement in the pursuit of truth and justice.
David Gurney, head of Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center in New Jersey, said losing access to Ancestry had hindered crucial work.
