Over the past few years most Americans have been more and more curious about their family trees thanks to kits like 23 and Me and Ancestry.com. But did you know your DNA could be used to solve cold cases, convict people who’ve committed violent crimes, and even exonerate the wrongfully accused?
One local genealogist explains why this seeming harmless gift could unlock a world of answered questions for law enforcement.
Closure, is the driving force behind genetic genealogists Shera LaPoint.
“To be able to give that gift to some one has changed my life. It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.”

Throughout the years she has closed dozens of cold cases thanks familial DNA but the popularity of DNA testing groups like 23 and Me, have a lesser known option that can be beneficial to law enforcement.

“As a tester you have a right to decide what information you want to put out there and who it’s shared with.”

Users can also opt into sharing their DNA with officers helping them in several ways, thanks to new technology.

“By uploading your DNA you never know who you will be actually helping. We can take these criminals off the streets, we can exonerate innocent people, we can identify John and Jane Doe’s, and also the fallen military who are unnamed,” said LaPoint.
“They can use my DNA or someone I manage that has agreed to opt in, to help capture a dangerous individuals, then I really don’t have a problem,” says Mark Ri’chard.

Mark Ri’chard, supports opting into sharing DNA with law enforcement because he says it can close dark chapters in peoples lives.

Ri’chard adds, “…sometimes these are unsolved crimes where families can not get closure. People don’t know what happened from an incident you know someone got murdered or raped and people never know who did it. Then these cases go cold because they didn’t have the DNA back then so this is giving families an opportunity for closure.”
“Then you give a DNA kit as a Christmas gift, think about going the extra mile and giving a little bit extra by uploading your DNA. Opting into law enforcement use, and lets make a difference in this world,” said LaPoint.
Aside from working on cold cases, Shera also uses genetic geology to connect adoptees with their parents . For more information about Shera and all her works, click here.