Family Tree DNA

History

2019: Disclosure of FBI of DNA base

At the beginning of April, 2019 Family Tree DNA asked clients to share the genetic data to help law enforcement agencies to solve the crimes. The company which provides services DNA-genealogical of examination opened to the authorities access to the base.

Family Tree DNA sells sets thanks to which patients from around the world can make the DNA test in house conditions, send a sample for examination in laboratory and trace the family tree. The more people undergoes this procedure, the probability of determination of family relations is higher.

The collecting DNA worldwide the company opened FBI the database for fight against crime

It is known that Family Tree DNA regularly allows FBI agents to perform search in the database for disclosure of crimes. After criticism from defenders of confidentiality, Family Tree DNA allowed clients to refuse participation in this initiative. Law enforcement agencies regularly load genetic data of the victims of murder or alleged criminals into the database and search for compliances. If clients agree to promote FBI, law enforcement agencies will receive the notification even at partial coincidence to the loaded file – it will allow to narrow a circle of suspects, having limited it to members of a certain family from similar DNA.

As an example of successfully detected crime the company loaded video with Ad's participation of Smart, the father of the victim of kidnapping of Elisabeth Smart. Video is a part of larger campaign launched by Family Tree DNA. Nevertheless many activists claim that such tactics breaks civil liberties of the people using service. Though Family Tree DNA, along with similar services of DNA examination 23andMe and Ancestry.com, allows clients to refuse providing confidential information to law enforcement agencies, the police can get access to the database on the court order.^[1]

Notes