Augenstein, Seth. “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” Forensic Magazine, © Copyright 2018 Advantage Business Marketing, 27 Apr. 2018, www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/04/golden-state-killer-caught-through-gedmatch-search-officials-say-arraignment-approaches.
In “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches”, author Seth Augenstein states that The Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, terrorized California communities from the mid 1970s to mid 80s by raping 45 people and killing 12 people in their own beds. His spree ended right before DNA revolutionized forensics. However, a DNA genealogy database known as GEDmatch ultimately helped investigators track DeAngelo down since they could pick him out as a suspect from the database and compare it to DNA left at the crime scenes. GEDmatch also helped solve other decades-old serial killer cases, identifying the “Chameleon” serial killer, Teddy Peder Rasmussen, and the “Buck Skin Girl” of Ohio, Marcia King. What makes the Golden State Killer case so important is that the defense will likely contend that the use of GEDmatch violates the 4th Amendment (“Unreasonable Search and Seizure”). The unusual aspect of GEDmatch is that it does not look for the genealogy of relatives of the suspect by examining those in his/her family who committed crimes, like CODIS, but rather the genealogy of relatives who uploaded data to Ancestry or other family tree services that wanted to match this data with people outside their own service. To get around issues that can be presented as a defense in a court case regarding the privacy of the ancestors uploading data, GEDmatch informs its users that the uploaded data may be used for things other than genealogy, such as to solve criminal cases of the “Golden State Killer” nature. Sacramento County District Attorney credited with organizing the task force to make the “Golden State Killer” breakthrough, Anne Marie Schubert, stated that the developments leading to the arrest of DeAngelo took place in only six days.
What this article shows is that what makes forensics grow in its effectiveness is advancements in other sciences and technologies increasing the breadth of available data on a case. The more individuals leave their personal information online, the more can be searched through to implicate criminals. This article also shows that the best way to secure an individual’s privacy is by making it compulsory that every online service tells users exactly how the personal information they upload can potentially be used. By informing the consumer, this ensures that users can decide how private they want their personal information while still allowing for the growth of efficiency in solving many important cases. This is why I do not think that the defense will have any meaningful case during the arraignment. Such precautions were already taken to not violate the 4th Amendment.
A strength of this article was that it was extremely detailed in what exactly GEDmatch does to obtain the genetic data of suspect ancestors, how it is different from more common databases like CODIS and the precautions taken by GEDmatch to not violate the 4th Amendment. All of these details are relevant to forensics overall, allowing readers to know what exactly was improved in the field. However, one weakness of the article was that it did not describe why so many people think that DeAngelo’s defense will challenged due to privacy concerns. If GEDmatch already took steps to inform its users that their data may be used for criminal cases, how would that defense work? The article would have been improved by adding that explanation, since it would shed light on the significance of this particular case.
4 comments:
Scott McGrath
4.29.18
Current Event 22
Augenstein, Seth. “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” Forensic Magazine, © Copyright 2018 Advantage Business Marketing, 27 Apr. 2018, www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/04/golden-state-killer-caught-through-gedmatch-search-officials-say-arraignment-approaches.
Andy does a very good job reviewing the article written by Seth Augenstein titled “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” The article discusses how the Golden State Killer raped over 45 people and killed 12 and evaded police for years but was finally caught. Through new methods of DNA testing.
I thought Andy did a very good job explaining the case. I also liked the quotes he incorporated as it made it easier to understand. I also think the data and numbers help the reader understand more of the case.
There are some things that could use some work, however. It is too long and could be better if it were shorter. I also think that it could use a few ore hooks, as I felt it wasn't keeping my interest at times. One thing that wowed me was how many crimes this killer had committed before getting caught, it is scary to think that there are people like that out there. Overall, Andy did a very good job.
Andrew Rotchford
Mr. Ippolito
Forensics
April 29, 2018
Augenstein, Seth. “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” Forensic Magazine, © Copyright 2018 Advantage Business Marketing, 27 Apr. 2018, www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/04/golden-state-killer-caught-through-gedmatch-search-officials-say-arraignment-approaches.
Andy’s reviewed the article“Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches”, I thought the article review was comprehensive and well written, which made it easy to understand. His summary was also very detailed, starting the review with the key points in the article.
Andy could have included more quotes from the article into his review, and at some points he ran with a idea and it made the review very long.
I thought Andy’s review was interesting to read because it went into detail on interesting forensic practices, and its clear he really understood the article. I learned that DNA could be used at any time to solve a crime.
Zach Zucker
Mr. Ippolito
4/29/18
Augenstein, Seth. “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” Forensic Magazine, © Copyright 2018 Advantage Business Marketing, 27 Apr. 2018, www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/04/golden-state-killer-caught-through-gedmatch-search-officials-say-arraignment-approaches.
From Jack's review of “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.”I felt that I was able to learn many new things that he explained. Hw incited many great details in her review. For example, Jack did a good job explaining the background of the story and kept the timeline throughout the review very clear. This made it easy for readers to understand her review. Secondly, he added quotes from the article which gives the reader another incite about what others thought about the case. For example, he used the quote “The unusual aspect of GEDmatch is that it does not look for the genealogy of relatives of the suspect by examining those in his/her family who committed crimes” to help set up his own opinion. Also, I thought Jack did a good job on adding his own thoughts and opinions into the review rather than just straight facts.
Although, Jack could add a few more ideas to his review to make it perfect. First, I think that he should add more about the forensics part of the crime. Along with this, there are parts where he can make his point more clear and concise through the review.
Overall, I think Jack did a good job summarizing the article and adding his own thoughts and opinions. I found this review interesting and informative because I have never heard of this case and I am happy Jack brought up this article for his review.
Molly Palma
Mr. Ippolito
Augenstein, Seth. “Golden State Killer Caught Through GEDmatch Search, Officials Say, as Arraignment Approaches.” Forensic Magazine, © Copyright 2018 Advantage Business Marketing, 27 Apr. 2018, www.forensicmag.com/news/2018/04/golden-state-killer-caught-through-gedmatch-search-officials-say-arraignment-approaches.
This reviewer did a fantastic job with the background details. With this, the reader learns that the ‘Golden State Killer’ was responsible for forty-five rapes and twelve deaths. The reader also identifies the tool used to identify this culprit which was GEDmatch, a genealogy database. Something I found particularly interesting was how the reviewer brought up the issue of constitutional rights, more so the Fourth Amendment which is the ban on “Unreasonable Search and Seizure”. The reader learns that there are loopholes to this when a user of GEDmatch signs a contract, allowing their DNA to be utilized in forensic research if the situation pertains. I thought it was interesting how the reviewer was able to make predictions, like when he/she said “this is why I do not think that the defense will have any meaningful case during the arraignment”.
The reviewer was a little repetitive when explaining his/her prediction on the case. He/she said that they believe the defense would be a weak case several times, which deterred from the overall point that he/she was trying to make about databases like GEDmatch in general forensics.
The reviewer explained what GEDmatch by explaining what it was not through example of other databases. He brought up this other popular database CODIS but didn’t explain it in a sufficient manner. All he/ she said was “The unusual aspect of GEDmatch is that it does not look for the genealogy of relatives of the suspect by examining those in his/her family who committed crimes, like CODIS, but rather the genealogy of relatives who uploaded data to Ancestry or other family tree services that wanted to match this data with people outside their own service”. I thought it would be great if he/she added another sentence about CODIS.
I thought this article was important to read about. Not only did I learn about the ‘Golden State Killer’ but I gained interest about Marcia King, the “BuckSkin Girl” and the Teddy Peder, the “Chameleon”, who were both discovered through GEDmatch too. I think I’ve learned the importance of establishing an understanding between a user and a company. It’s important to go about forensics in a way that doesn’t wreck our constitutional rights.
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