What does the Familial Searching Policy involve?

The Familial Searching Policy involves a targeted approach where law enforcement utilizes DNA evidence to identify potential relatives of a suspect who may be linked to a crime scene. This method is particularly useful when a direct match to a suspect's DNA is not found in databases but there may be familial connections that can provide leads.

When DNA profiles are submitted into databases, if a near match is identified, investigators can then look into the family of that individual to locate potential suspects who may have committed the crime. This policy helps to expand the pool of potential suspects based on genetic relationships, effectively enabling investigators to leverage the information in a way that would not be possible through traditional means, such as analyzing fingerprints or checking backgrounds by other methods.

This approach represents a significant strategy in solving cold cases or crimes that may have initially had limited leads, emphasizing the critical role of genetics in modern investigative techniques.