...20-year-old Murder Case



The New Orleans Advocate recently published a shocking story
that details the very real threats to privacy and civil liberties posed
by law enforcement access to private genetic databases and familial DNA
searching.



The cops chose to use a lab linked to a private collection of genetic genealogical data called the Sorenson Database (now owned by Ancestry.com),
which claims it’s "the foremost collection of genetic genealogy data in
the world.” The reason the Sorenson Database can make such an audacious
claim is because it has obtained its more than 100,000 DNA samples and
documented multi-generational family histories from "volunteers in more
than 100 countries around the world.” Some of these volunteers were encouraged by the Mormon Church—well-known for its interest in genealogy—to
provide their genetic material to the database. Sorenson promised
volunteers their genetic data would only be used for "genealogical
services, including the determination of family migration patterns and
geographic origins” and would not be shared outside Sorenson. Its consent form states:



The only individuals who will have access to the codes and genealogy
information will be the principal investigator and the others
specifically authorized by the Principal Investigator, including the
SMGF research staff.



Despite this promise, Sorenson shared its vast collection of data with
the Idaho police. Without a warrant or court order, investigators asked
the lab to run the crime scene DNA against Sorenson’s private
genealogical DNA database. Sorenson found 41 potential familial matches,
one of which matched on 34 out of 35 alleles—a
very close match that would generally indicate a close familial
relationship. The cops then asked, not only for the "protected” name
associated with that profile, but also for all "all
information including full names, date of births, date and other
information pertaining to the original donor to the Sorenson Molecular
Genealogy project.”



They called up Usry, told him they were investigating a hit-and-run, and
asked him to meet with them. Usry thought he "had nothing to hide” and
agreed to the meeting. They took him to an interrogation room,
questioned him without a lawyer present, and eventually collected a DNA
sample.



https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2015/05/how-private-dna-data-led-idaho-cops-wild-goose-chase-and-linked-innocent-man-20

Usry thought he "had nothing to hide” and agreed to the meeting. They took him to an interrogation room, questioned him without a lawyer present, and eventually collected a DNA sample.

That man didn’t fit the age profile of the murderer, so the cops used Sorenson’s genealogical information to trace his male descendant line and find his son, Michael Usry Jr., born in 1979. Then the cops searched Usry’s Facebook page and found he had some Facebook friends who lived somewhat near Idaho Falls. And then through Google searches, the cops learned Usry was a filmmaker who had been involved in making a few short films that had homicide or killings in the story line. (The cop noted in a warrant affidavit “these short films have won awards in several film festivals.”) Based on this completely circumstantial evidence, the Idaho investigators got a warrant to collect a swab of Usry’s DNA.

Quoted:
So much for me sending my DNA to them for such a test.

Quoted:
So much for me sending my DNA to them for such a test.

Quoted:
Fuck I hate the government in all of its forms, from the Federal Behemoth down to the pesky, busy-body Barney Fifes of the world.

I hate it all.

Quoted:
Did we not have this dicussion where I said about private DNA testing companies being nothing but a way for the government to build a DNA DATABASE and have the participants pay for it.

Lots of people here on this site had their heads up their own ass and dismissed the concern. How does it feel to know these companies will not even ask for a warrant, they  will just hand it over when some Podunk PD asks for it?

Quoted:
Did we not have this dicussion where I said about private DNA testing companies being nothing but a way for the government to build a DNA DATABASE and have the participants pay for it.

Lots of people here on this site had their heads up their own ass and dismissed the concern. How does it feel to know these companies will not even ask for a warrant, they  will just hand it over when some Podunk PD asks for it?

Quoted:
Fuck I hate the government in all of its forms, from the Federal Behemoth down to the pesky, busy-body Barney Fifes of the world.

I hate it all.

Quoted:
I don't seem to see the problem.

Quoted:
Fuck I hate the government in all of its forms, from the Federal Behemoth down to the pesky, busy-body Barney Fifes of the world.

I hate it all.

Quoted:
Well that's not scary at all. - TS

Quoted:
1.  Did you read the affidavit? It's actually a pretty good connection.
2. A buccal swab is so Unintrusive  judges really don't get all that worked up about it. It's not like they are strapping him down and taking his blood.
3. You frequently confuse the different legal standards of probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt. Probable cause can be as low as a 40% chance some courts have ruled.


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