More than two years after a quadruple homicide in Moscow, Idaho, a judge unsealed the transcript of a recent hearing in the case against Bryan Kohberger, accused of stabbing four students to death in an off-campus home. The hearing, closed to the public, followed defense attorney Anne Taylor’s claim that investigators acted improperly using investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). IGG combines DNA analysis with genealogical research. Authorities can upload an unknown suspect’s DNA profile to a public database to identify family members. Investigators use this to build a family tree and identify suspects. The defense’s attempt to suppress IGG evidence failed. Kohberger’s trial is expected this summer, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty. A gag order prevents public comments from prosecutors, defense attorneys, and victim families. New details from the transcript include: a detective learned Kohberger’s name only after genetic genealogy; only one person’s DNA was on a knife sheath; “Unknown Male B” remains a mystery; Idaho authorities traveled to Texas with the DNA; many popular genealogy sites don’t allow law enforcement searches; and an expert claims authorities used an unauthorized database. Kohberger’s trial is expected to begin in August.
