[Drew68]

DNA was found, and investigators used commercial dna registry sites to figure out what family he was from.

Yep. "23 And Me" is the greatest DNA archive ever.

Who knew that you could get Americans to not only volunteer their DNA samples but pay for the service as well?

[mac_truck]

My understanding is that if someone in your extended family has ever used a commercial genetic testing service, that's enough of a DNA trail for authorities to zero in on a suspect.

[scott7278]

Not only that, but it only takes one member of a family to give a sample.

[Chickensoup]

While they carry trackers in their pockets and cars.

[mass55th]

"Who knew that you could get Americans to not only volunteer their DNA samples but pay for the service as well?"

If it will lead to the arrest of a murderer, they can use my DNA any time. Those four kids were someone's children. I would hope someone's DNA would have led to his arrest, had it been my child. And no one knows if he's killed before. I pray someone spreads his DNA all over whatever prison he finally ends up in.

[PghBaldy]

Ancestry’s is much bigger

https://isogg.org/wiki/Autosomal_DNA_testing_comparison_chart

[beef]

They have caught a lot of people through GEDMatch. You can upload raw genetic data from any of the testing services and find matches across the different platforms. Also, they do not need your DNA. If they get a hit on a second or third cousin, maybe someone you have never met, they will narrow it down in pretty short order. Last I heard, 2/3 of white people in the US can be identified in this way.