Whenever DNA evidence is collected at a crime scene it is compared in CODIS with DNA samples from convicted offenders.
Police reportedly found unknown DNA at the off-campus house where the Idaho students were killed. Then it was run through the CODIS DNA database. And there was no match.
The unknown DNA was then run through public databases like 23andMe and AncestryDNA which identified relatives of the suspect.
Then utilizing genealogical tracking and “subsequent investigative work” police found graduate student Bryan Kohberger.
Hundreds of decades-old cold cases have been solved, in the last few years, with the advances in DNA tech.
California investigators used DNA genealogy data to solve the Golden State Killer. And identified former police officer Joseph DeAngelo, as the prime suspect.
DNA has also implicated a man who was found not guilty. It has resulted in the identification of bodies. And help put away serial rapists and serial killers.
The process is getting much less time intensive.
