Should police have access to private DNA/genealogy sites?

Question

The Golden State Killer was in part caught by using a public access genealogy site. The particular site warns users that the access is public and free, to use at their own risk. 
My question is, should private sites have any obligation to provide data to aid in police investigations? The two sites I read that have statements both said they would protect the privacy as best they could and data would only be released given proper legal obligations (like a warrant). 
Bonus Question: if you used a DNA site would you want your information made available to help catch a criminal who would be close relative? Should you have the option to choose to share info with police when you sign up?

Accepted Answer

I’ve served in the military so my fingerprints are already on file. Hell, they probably keep our DNA too 🤷🏼‍♀️
If I used a public site, I would honestly expect the police to be able to get the DNA sample they need as long as they have a warrant. If it helps catch criminals, then I’m about it. 
Can you imagine if someone in your family was murdered and the police did a simple search through a DNA site and caught them?? That would be amazing.

Answer

I heard in this case the DNA data was on public genealogy sites (as consented by the original familial donor) and the police found it the same way they could have found information on Facebook.  The serial killer in this case has no right to privacy of DNA that isn’t even his.

Answer

If the site is public, a search warrant isn’t required.
If the site is private, I would fully expect that - with an appropriate search warrant - my info could and would be used to aid in criminal investigations, like all other info.

Answer

From what I understand, the police submitted the killer’s DNA to Ancestry like any paying customer would. They then received the info that Ancestry sends to their customers such as ethnicity/cultural hits and possible relatives. This is how they figured out who the killer was. They didn’t search the database themselves and find the killer. It was the DNA of family members in the Ancestry system that gave it away. As a paying customer, you’d also be given this info by submitting DNA. The only grey area is that it wasn’t their DNA to submit, but that doesn’t bother me. 
I gotta day, “bravo” to the detectives on this one. This is really clever and I have zero issue with it. Now, if they went to the company demanding DNA be handed over (think: US government with Apple), I would have an issue with that. But this isn’t similar IMO.

Answer

I think it's a great idea for them to use it. Many people don't have any DNA on file anywhere, and being able to compare with family members that are on file could be a huge help in reducing crimes and getting criminals off the streets sooner.

Answer

I just ordered kits from Ancestry.com for my husband and I. $59 on special ending today. 7.5% back through ebates. Look out criminal family members. They’re coming for you!

Answer

Eh i don’t really care. I don’t understand why people are so offended at the thought of the police having your dna or genealogy sites selling it. Shoooot ancestry can sell my dna idc idc.

Answer

Not only have they been using DNA sites this way, they have been able to identify a Jane Doe murder victim through it by finding a relative. The case was Buckskin Doe.
I mean, if you murder someone and they can trace your DNA through familial relations so be it 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

I don’t think private companies should be forced to share information with the police(the whole situation with the FBI wanting Apple to unlock iPhones comes to mind), but if they chose to make information public and disclose that fact to their customers I don’t know of any reasons why the police wouldn’t be able to access it from a legal standpoint. 
If my close relative hurt or killed someone I’d want the person they harmed to have justice.

Answer

They should have access to privately held data with a proper warrant. If they can “pay to join” or join for free and access data that is then available to all members, then that is perfectly legal.

Should police have access to private DNA/genealogy sites?

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