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109 Mich. L. Rev. 291 (2010-2011)
Relative Doubt: Familial Searches of DNA Databases

handle is hein.journals/mlr109 and id is 297 raw text is: RELATIVE DOUBT: FAMILIAL SEARCHES OF DNA DATABASES Erin Murphy* The continued growth of forensic DNA databases has brought about great- er interest in a search method known as 'familial or kinship matching. Whereas a typical database search seeks the source of a crime-scene stain by making an exact match between a known person and the DNA sample, familial searching instead looks for partial matches in order to find poten- tial relatives of the source. The use of a familial DNA search to identify the alleged Grim Sleeper killer in California brought national attention to the method, which has many proponents. In contrast, this Article argues against the practice of familial searching on a variety of grounds, includ- ing claims related to equality, accuracy, privacy, racial discrimination, and democratic accountability. It then addresses the legality of the method. Lastly, in the event that arguments to prohibit the practice prove unpersua- sive, this Article sets forth recommendations for restrictions on familial searches that might ameliorate their possible iniquitous effects. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 292 I. A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO FAMILIAL SEARCHING ................. 294 A. Forensic DNA: Mechanics................................................. 294 B. Familial Searching: Mechanics......................................... 297 C. Current Landscape ............................................................ 301 II. SHOULD WE ALLOW FAMILIAL SEARCHES?............................ 303 A. Actual and Apparent (Non-Race-Based) Discrimination.. 305 B . A ccuracy...........................................................................309 C. Privacy .............................................................................. 313 1. D atabased Persons...................................................... 314 2. Innocent Relatives....................................................... 317 3. The Source .................................................................. 318 D. Societal Interest in Intact Families.................................... 319 E. Actual and Apparent Ethnic and Racial Discrimination... 321 * Professor of Law, New York University School of Law. I am grateful to the attendees of the Australian National University Criminal Justice Workshop, the Berkeley Center for Criminal Justice Roundtable, the Privacy Law Scholars Conference, the NYU faculty workshop, the NYU Furman Scholars Workshop, and the Harvard Law School faculty workshop, all of whom provided helpful comments on earlier versions of this paper. Rick Pildes, Glenn Cohen, Carol Steiker, Barry Friedman, Montgomery Slatkin, Yun Song, and Stephen Mercer also offered valuable insights, and Regina Waugh provided her usual exceptional research assistance. 291

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