{"id":8369,"date":"2019-02-02T05:33:36","date_gmt":"2019-02-02T05:33:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rootdig.genealogytipoftheday.com\/?p=8369"},"modified":"2019-02-02T05:33:36","modified_gmt":"2019-02-02T05:33:36","slug":"familytreedna-and-the-fbi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rootdig.genealogytipoftheday.com\/?p=8369","title":{"rendered":"FamilyTreeDNA and the FBI"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chances are I won’t see a match called “Most Wanted”<\/p><\/div>\n

There’s chatter regarding the recent announcement about the “FBI and FamilyTreeDNA.” Some of the chatter is accurate and some of is the result of headlines that are incomplete, misleading, or completely incorrect.<\/p>\n

A read of the press release on the FamilyTreeDNA site (https:\/\/blog.familytreedna.com\/press-release-connecting-families-and-saving-lives\/) suggests that the FBI’s access to the data on FamilyTreeDNA parallels that of any user who submits a DNA test<\/em>–in other words they can see information about the matches of the DNA sample that they submitted. Other access to data beyond that of matches that any user can see\u00a0<\/em>is mentioned in the press release:<\/p>\n

In the case of FamilyTreeDNA, without a valid court order, law enforcement will only be able to see information that is available to the standard FamilyTreeDNA user.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Some discussion of this FamilyTreeDNA announcement suggests that more data is being shared and that the FBI has access to the DNA of all submitters. As stated earlier, my take on the agreement (based upon the press release) is that the FBI can submit DNA samples and see the matches of that sample–just like I can submit a sample and see matches. This parallels how GedMatch has also been used by law enforcement.<\/p>\n

Is it possible that a second or third cousin of yours committed a crime? Certainly. Most of us do not know all the intimate details of all our second and third cousins lives.<\/p>\n

This is one criminal research tool and I don’t see any reason to change the fact that I have my DNA submitted to FamilyTreeDNA. Those who have concerns should read:<\/p>\n