Lawmakers propose bill allowing use of genetic tests in murder cases

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers are looking at spelling out exactly how police can use genetic tests like 23andMe in criminal investigations.

Lawmakers have proposed a bill after the technology successfully solved hundreds of cold cases access the country.

The bill, sponsored by Todd Weiler was circled in committee, meaning it’ll still have to be discussed again before it moves forward.

More specifically, Senator Weiler’s Bill is inspired by the 2010 murder of Salt Laker Sherry Black.

Her family spoke in support saying police were able to finally give them peace after tracking down her killer.

Sherry’s daughter testified in a senate committee today. “This tool has allowed us to move forward focusing on the happy memories with my mom and given us a sense of peace back that we have lost,” said Sherry’s daughter. 

If this bill passes, police could use DNA from Ancestry and genetic tests, but only in certain cases like murder.

But there were concerns from public comments that it doesn’t do enough to protect personal privacy.

Relates reading

• Unified Police make arrest in 2010 killing of Sherry Black
• Sherry Black killer will spend the rest of his life in prison