The state of California has expanded its use of DNA technology in missing persons investigations, providing authorities with a new tool to identify unknown people and revisit unresolved cases.
The new law, signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, loosens restrictions on the state's Missing Persons DNA Program, which previously was limited to identifying deceased individuals.
Under the expanded law, the program's database may now be used to identify unknown people who are alive, allowing state forensic resources to assist in a wider range of investigations.
The program supports coroners, medical examiners, and law enforcement agencies seeking to identify missing or unknown individuals across California.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta said, "Any missing person case — adult, child, or otherwise — is one too many. No family should know the prolonged uncertainty of waiting for answers, and together we're making it clear that California takes action."
Assemblymember James Ramos, who authored the legislation, said the changes will make forensic identification resources more accessible to investigators and could help families who have waited years for answers.
"AB 2018 will help all families with missing loved ones receive the answers they need," Ramos said. "This modernization is especially urgent given the disproportionate number of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons plaguing our state."
The law also changes how long certain DNA samples may remain in the state's system, allowing investigators to retain samples when they believe additional related remains could later be recovered and require identification.
Law enforcement agencies and forensic specialists in Northern California are already using newer DNA-analysis techniques to examine cold cases, and supporters of the law say the changes could reduce barriers for local investigators while giving families of missing people a greater chance of learning what happened to their loved ones.
The expanded authority comes as a nonprofit team in the county, including local law enforcement officials and scientists, reexamine unresolved cases using advanced forensic methods, including DNA analysis.
The new law aims to provide a greater chance of resolution for missing persons cases and bring hope to families who have been waiting for answers.
The expanded use of DNA technology in California's missing persons investigations could lead to a significant increase in the number of cases that are solved, providing closure for families and justice for those who have gone missing.
