Exploring Legality Of Genetic Genealogy In Kohberger Case Investigation

Legal disputes surrounding the use of investigative genetic genealogy in the Idaho murder case involving Bryan Kohberger are challenging both the admissibility of DNA evidence and constitutional protections.

Key Takeaways

The defense argues search warrants to gather evidence were unconstitutional, aiming to exclude nearly all collected evidence.
Kohberger was identified using investigative genetic genealogy, which his defense claims violates Fourth Amendment rights.
IGG involves creating family trees from public DNA databases; DNA from a knife sheath at the crime scene was linked to Kohberger.
The defense contends search warrants, especially for electronic devices, were overly broad.
Kohberger faces four charges of first-degree murder, and the case was moved to ensure jury impartiality.

Legal Challenge Over DNA Evidence

The defense for Bryan Kohberger challenges the legality of the search warrants used to collect evidence against him, claiming unconstitutional methods were employed. The evidence included DNA and other materials collected following a quadruple murder at the University of Idaho. Kohberger, a Ph.D. criminology student, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The defense prepared numerous suppression motions aiming to exclude pivotal evidence.

Investigators used investigative genetic genealogy to track down Kohberger. “Touch DNA” from a knife sheath at the crime scene led them to public databases, where they constructed a family tree implicating Kohberger. However, this approach is under legal scrutiny for possible Fourth Amendment violations.

The Debate Over Investigative Genetic Genealogy

The defense asserts that without the initial unlawful use of IGG, there would be no case against Kohberger. They argue that everything, from phone records to DNA evidence obtained from trash, results from this unconstitutional breach. Kohberger’s attorneys called for the exclusion of this information from the affidavit.

“Without IGG, there is no case, no request for his phone records, surveillance of his parents’ home, no DNA taken from the garbage out front. Because the IGG analysis is the origin of this matter, everything in the affidavit should be excised,” said Kohberger’s attorneys Jay Weston Logsdon and Ann Taylor.

Prosecutors affirm the constitutionality of using IGG, noting the voluntary nature of DNA submissions by family members to genealogy services. This legal battle will shape the future applications of advanced genetic tools in forensic investigations.

Media’s Role and Public Transparency

Concerns over media influence prompted partial closure of court hearings. A coalition of news organizations pushed for transparency, emphasizing public interest and First Amendment rights to open court proceedings. Judge Steven Hippler, however, maintained limitations on public access to prevent media exposure from affecting potential jurors.

“In any criminal case, I would submit that it’s of extreme public interest to know whether a law enforcement officer sworn to tell the truth… made reckless or false statements,” said Wendy Olson, a lawyer representing a coalition of news organizations that includes the Associated Press.

The state of Idaho has seen substantial media coverage since the crimes occurred, adding complexity to the jury selection process. The move to Ada County aims to safeguard impartiality, deemed crucial in such a high-profile case.