METHODS AND THEIR IMPACT

The use of forensic genealogy in identifying the Golden State Killer is one of the biggest achievements in forensic science. The field evolved over several decades, and these improvements were important in solving the specific case and bringing Joseph James DeAngelo to justice. This section looks into the methods involved, from the collection of initial evidence to a relatively recent method of forensic science, genetic genealogy.

1. Collection and Preservation of DNA Evidence

While DeAngelo was perpetrating his crimes, detectives secured fingerprints, footprints, and samples of his biological traces at the crime scenes. However, until the 1970s and 1980s, no one knew about DNA technology and considered only "junk" or "selfish" DNA. Back then, there were no methods to study such biological material that investigators used. This was accomplished years later when newer technologies in DNA analysis became available (Walsh, 2018).

2. Development of DNA Profiling

One of the breakthroughs in police investigation in the 1980s and 1990s was the DNA profiling technique that assisted police in solving some of the existing cold cases. By the early 2000s, DNA from crime scenes of the Golden State Killer was examined, and a suspect's description was developed. This profile finally verified that the crimes assigned to the "Visalia Ransacker," "East Area Rapist," and "Original Night Stalker" were committed by the same criminal. However, this was not the case since the DNA did not match any entries in criminal databases, thus narrowing down the police investigations (Green, 2018).

3. Introduction of Genetic Genealogy

In 2018, genetic genealogy was useful in identifying the Golden State Killer (Bruen, 2018). This technique goes one step further from conventional genealogical profiling by joining family members based on their DNA specimens. The police entered the killer's genetic information into GEDmatch, a site that people can use if they are researching their family trees and do not know that criminals can use it to enter a DNA profile (Smith, 2019).

4. Confirmation Through Direct DNA Match

When DeAngelo emerged as the leading suspect, detectives took a saliva swap covertly using items such as a tissue that he had previously used and discarded (Murphy, 2020). Detectives further confirmed his identity through DNA from these items and the crime scene. In April 2018, DeAngelo was arrested as the Golden State Killer (Albrecht, 2020).

IMPACT OF FORENSIC SCIENCE

The identification of Joseph James DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, via genetic genealogy transformed forensic science in the Golden State.
The retesting of old evidence proved that open-source databases could help solve crimes that drew the public's attention and caused controversy.
Various police forces from all around the globe started implementing this technique, and due to this strategy many of the cases remained undeterred for decades were finally been solved.
However, using genetic genealogy came with ethical and legal issues. That's why many experts are insisting on the need to regulate the flow of genetic information as much as possible.
Nevertheless, all these challenges pointed out the effectiveness of forensic science, hence the justice given to the victims even when it was delayed for many years.

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