The Evolution of DNA in Crime-Fighting: From Last Resort to First Step
In the dynamic world of criminal investigations, timing can make the difference between life and death. As serial offenders roam free during lengthy investigations, forensic expert David Mittelman advocates for a paradigm shift in how law enforcement uses DNA technology. The founder of Othram forensics lab believes that investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) has evolved to become so efficient and affordable that it should be among the first tools deployed in criminal investigations, not merely a final confirmation. “You should be reading the DNA the same way you’re checking the video cameras,” Mittelman told Fox News Digital, emphasizing that understanding who was present at a crime scene is fundamental. His vision positions DNA analysis as an essential starting point rather than a concluding verification step. This shift from viewing DNA as merely confirmatory to treating it as an initial investigative step could revolutionize how crimes are solved, potentially saving lives by identifying dangerous offenders before they strike again.
Recent high-profile cases have demonstrated the power of this approach. In both the Idaho student murders and the tragic killing of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five, investigators facing limited leads turned to Othram’s expertise in IGG. This approach led authorities to Bryan Kohberger and Victor Martinez-Hernandez, who were subsequently convicted. While traditional DNA testing compares samples against existing law enforcement databases (which often miss first-time offenders), IGG combines forensic science with ancestry-tracing methods to identify unknown suspects. The technique has proven particularly valuable in cases without obvious suspects but with available DNA evidence. Baltimore attorney Randolph Rice, who represented the Morin family, believes IGG “should not be viewed as a last resort or a luxury; it should be a standard, front-line investigative tool.” This sentiment reflects growing recognition that DNA technology has matured beyond its historical limitations and deserves a more prominent place in investigative workflows.
The economic argument for prioritizing DNA analysis is compelling. Mittelman points out that in the Kohberger case, “DNA testing identified him in a month or in weeks, and the end-to-end cost for that DNA testing was under $10,000.” This expense is less than a detective’s monthly salary, highlighting the cost-efficiency of modern DNA analysis. Beyond the financial considerations, the speed of contemporary DNA processing represents a dramatic improvement over previous generations of technology. What once might have taken months or years can now be accomplished in weeks, allowing investigations to progress much faster. This acceleration is particularly critical in cases involving violent offenders who might strike again while traditional investigative methods slowly unfold. The combination of reduced costs and increased speed makes a strong case for positioning DNA analysis at the forefront of criminal investigations rather than as a final confirmation step.
Perhaps the most powerful argument for prioritizing IGG comes from the Morin case. Martinez-Hernandez, her killer, was already an international fugitive suspected in another sexual assault in Los Angeles. Mittelman points to this as a tragic missed opportunity: “When he committed that crime in Los Angeles, they should have immediately put the DNA in CODIS, like they did, saw no match, and they should have used this technique and immediately found him. And then Rachel Morin would still be alive.” This sobering observation highlights the real-world consequences of treating advanced DNA techniques as a last resort rather than a first-line investigative approach. In cases involving violent crimes, the traditional investigative sequence may inadvertently provide perpetrators with time to commit additional offenses. Repositioning DNA analysis as an initial step could potentially prevent subsequent crimes by identifying dangerous individuals more quickly.
The evolving landscape of forensic DNA analysis has been particularly transformative for cold cases, where traditional investigative methods have failed to yield results. However, Mittelman sees this as just the beginning. His vision extends to making IGG as commonplace and routine in active investigations as checking surveillance footage or collecting fingerprints. This would represent a fundamental shift in investigative methodology, placing biological evidence on par with other forms of forensic evidence that have historically received priority treatment. The cases that benefit most from IGG typically involve the most heinous crimes—murders and sexual assaults—where perpetrators often leave behind DNA evidence. By implementing IGG earlier in these investigations, law enforcement could potentially resolve these serious crimes faster and more efficiently, bringing closure to victims’ families sooner and removing dangerous individuals from society before they can harm others.
As DNA technology continues to advance, the conversation around its proper implementation in criminal investigations becomes increasingly important. The successes in cases like the Idaho murders and Rachel Morin’s killing demonstrate that IGG has matured into a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective investigative tool. Moving forward, the challenge for law enforcement agencies will be adapting their protocols and budgets to incorporate these advanced DNA techniques earlier in the investigative process. This shift requires not only technical adjustments but also a conceptual reframing of how we think about criminal investigations. By elevating DNA analysis from a confirmatory afterthought to a foundational first step, investigators may be able to resolve cases more quickly, more accurately, and with greater cost efficiency. Most importantly, this approach has the potential to prevent future crimes by identifying dangerous individuals before they can strike again—turning DNA not just into a tool for solving crimes, but for preventing them.
