March 7, 2022
The Toronto police have taken unprecedented measures in identifying a woman by cross-examining DNA from genetic testing websites in a non-criminal case.
When customers use these websites they have the option of allowing police to use their DNA in investigations, however Torys partner Molly Reynolds told CBC that there are still various privacy concerns to consider.
"People who submit their DNA to these sites should read the privacy policies because they will likely explain the situations when police can access the records even where the person hasn't given consent," she said.
Allowing the use of DNA in police investigations has been compared to simply reporting a crime, however Molly suggests otherwise. She warns that there is more uncertainty—people don't know how their DNA will be used when they opt in to allow law enforcement access.
She added that there are examples of the police using DNA profiles in different circumstances, “such as where DNA information about a victim of a crime is later used in a police investigation to identify an accused in a different crime."
Molly says that she isn't against people opting in but says they should be aware that they won't be able to fully control how their DNA information could be used, and the consequences it could have for them and their relatives.
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