13 September 2019

GEDMatch Notifications

Did you receive the following message from GEDMatch?

The purpose of GEDmatch is to provide tools to our fellow genealogical researchers.

However, we also wish to remind our members of another use that we believe is especially important.

That use is to bring a sense of closure to families who have suffered deeply because a violent crime was perpetrated on them or a member of their family. Here is a story one family victim placed on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlbfAYVtnq8&feature=youtu.be

Some people feel there may be good reasons for not making their information available for this use. We understand and make it easy for them to protect their information from being compared to criminal cases. All they have to do is make sure the police badge icon on their GEDmatch home page has a red “X” through it. If the red “X” is missing, see below.

We recommend and encourage opting-in. For those who wish to make their information available to solve violent crime cases, get perpetrators off the street and give closure to victims, this is done by ensuring that the police icon on their GEDmatch home page does not have a red “X” over it. A simple click on the icon will add or remove the “X”. This should be done for kits that are yours or for which permission has been given or for deceased persons whose information you manage.

Many of these families have suffered for decades. They need your support. We hope you will encourage others who have been genealogically DNA tested to also add their information.

We believe it is the caring thing to do.

GEDmatch Management

I admit to being torn. While I believe in the value of DNA matching for catching criminals I am not in favour of the death penalty and would not want my DNA to be the evidence that resulted in an execution.

What do you think?

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The person who was murdered wasn't in favor of the death penalty, either, and yet they are dead for no reason. In this day and age a death sentence is not carried out for years. Put them away when the evidence shows their involvement. I and the people I have there are in favor of police access. Not even a debate.

Patti said...

If you're so "torn" then don't do it. Easy peasy.

The "compassionate" in our society do far more harm than good.

I save my compassion for the victims of monsters. They're the poor souls that need it usually through no fault of their own.

Memarge said...

I am all for my DNA to be used if it helps the law convict a guilty person.