The DNA Cousin Who Caught the Golden State Killer Forensic Gen

What if the key to solving a 40-year-old murder mystery was hidden in the DNA of a killer's third cousin, who simply wanted to build a family tree? For decades, the Golden State Killer terrorized California, leaving a trail of cold cases that stumped investigators. Then, in 2018, a revolutionary new technique blew the case wide open, leading them right to his door.This is the story of forensic genealogy—a powerful and controversial tool that turns public ancestry websites into a vast genetic lineup. In this episode, we break down the exact science of how investigators build a suspect's family tree from a single drop of blood or saliva. We'll explore the incredible detective work that solved an "unsolvable" case, but we'll also ask the tough questions: Did you and your relatives consent to this? And in our quest for justice, how much genetic privacy are we willing to give up?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/that-s-so-zen--6743499/support.