The video discusses the case of the Golden State Killer, a serial killer who was active from the 1970s to the 1980s in California. The killer was known for his distinctive method of operation, which involved breaking into houses, tying up the occupants, and then sexually assaulting the woman. He was able to evade capture due to his meticulous planning, which included wearing a mask and gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
The killer's DNA profile was linked to at least 12 murders, 50 rapes, and several burglaries. However, due to the limited scope of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which primarily focuses on first and second degree relatives, the killer's identity remained unknown for decades.
Advancements in genetic sequencing technology eventually allowed for a more comprehensive analysis of the killer's DNA. By 2018, a team of investigators was able to identify the killer as Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer. The team's success led to the identification of numerous other serial killers who had been able to evade capture due to the limitations of traditional DNA analysis.
The video also discusses the implications of these advancements, including concerns about privacy and the potential misuse of genetic information. Despite these concerns, the video concludes by noting that the ability to identify serial killers using genetic data has been a game-changer for law enforcement.
1. The video discusses serious crimes that may be disturbing for some viewers.
2. The crimes committed in the video are attributed to a criminal known as the Golden State Killer, who began his criminal career in the small town of Visalia, California, in the mid-1970s.
3. The Golden State Killer was initially known as the Visalia Ransacker for breaking into houses and stealing small items.
4. He escalated his crimes and was later known as the East Area Rapist, committing over 50 sexual assaults.
5. In 1979, he moved to Southern California, where he started killing, becoming known as the Original Night Stalker.
6. The Golden State Killer's modus operandi involved breaking into a house with a gun, tying up the occupants, and sexually assaulting the woman.
7. The criminal was able to evade capture due to his meticulous planning and the use of a mask and gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
8. The Golden State Killer has been linked to at least 12 murders, 50 rapes, and a string of burglaries throughout California.
9. DNA sequencing solutions were supplied to forensic laboratories processing crime scene DNA.
10. At a crime scene, there's typically less than a nanogram of DNA left and it's usually degraded.
11. The Golden State Killer's DNA profile has been in the national DNA database run by the FBI, called CODIS, since 2001.
12. The human genome consists of three billion bases, and all people share about 99.9% the same DNA.
13. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are individual letter changes in the genome that are known.
14. The Family Finder test is based on a micro array and can examine 700 to 800,000 SNPs.
15. The more closely you're related to someone, the more DNA you share and the longer the blocks of identical DNA are.
16. Law enforcement can identify family members using the CODIS database, but it's limited to first and second order relatives.
17. Independent websites like GEDmatch allow people to connect with relatives by uploading raw data from genetic testing companies.
18. The Golden State Killer's DNA was identified through a family tree built using traditional genealogy and public source documents.
19. The suspect was identified as former police officer Joseph James DeAngelo, who was arrested and believed to be the Golden State Killer.
20. The use of DNA evidence has led to the identification of multiple serial killers from cases in the 1970s and 1980s.
21. There are estimated to be 650,000 cold cases with DNA in the US.
22. DNA evidence is considered a revolutionary tool by multiple law enforcement agencies since its adoption.
23. DNA storage keeps the DNA good for a long time, with samples in storage that are probably about 15 years old.
24. By 2021, over 30 million people worldwide have taken a direct consumer genetic test.
25. There are concerns about privacy and the misuse of genetic information, especially in health insurance and discrimination.