Golden State Killer Case Selected As 2019 DNA Hit Of The Year

Theforty-five-yearinvestigationresulted in arrest after law enforcement's use of investigative genetic genealogy

KOBE,Japan,June 18,2019 --Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs (GTH-GA) has announced that the Golden State Killer case was selected as the 2019DNA Hit of the Year. The case was selected from70cases submitted from20 countries. It was chosen by a panel of seven international judges with career backgrounds in forensic DNA. The recognition was announced during the annual Human Identification Solutions (HIDS) Conference held inKobe,Japan.

Now in itsthirdyear,the DNA Hit of the Year program is organized by GTH-GA,an international authority on DNA database policy,legislation,and law. "The 2019list of cases expresses the extraordinary commitment police haveto solve and prevent crimewith forensic DNA databases," said Tim Schellberg,GTH-GA's President.

Judges selected theCaliforniacase from sevenfinalists. Thesixrunner-up cases were fromAustria,Dubai,South Africa,Brazil,Massachusetts,and New York. A full list of submitted cases and a presentation on this year's selected case and other case highlights can be found at http://www.dnaresource.com/hitoftheyear-2019.html

The Golden State Killer is accused of committing terrifyingcrimes between 1973 and 1986.Multiple DNA strategies were utilized while trying to solve these cases. The breakin the caseoccurred whencrime scene DNA was placed into a genealogy database and an investigative lead was developed through a distant relative.Theannouncement of the Golden State Killer's arrest through the use of investigative genetic genealogy set off a national phenomenon to identify suspects in someofthe worst unsolved crimes in US history.

Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubertsaid: "Using investigative genetic genealogy to identify those who are accused of horrific crimes has revolutionized law enforcement's ability to solve violent crime.This new law enforcement tool is bringing hope to victims and their families who have waited decades for justice."

"Having the Golden State Killer case chosenasthe 2019 Hit of the Year is a great honor.The DNA Hit of the Year programdemonstratesthe value of DNA databases to solve and prevent crime through real cases. It is my hope that governments continue to expand DNA programs to stop criminals and save lives," saidDistrict Attorney Anne Marie Schubert.