#029 – The Constitutionality of Forensic Genetic Genealogy with Professor Natalie Ram

The Presumption

Today’s guest Prof. Natalie Ram specializes in examining the intersection between the advancements in forensic genealogy, and its role in the criminal justice system. For 15 years, Prof. Ram has made a case that forensic genetic genealogy raises constitutional and ethical concerns, including 4th amendment violations, based on the lack of voluntariness in genetic relatedness. More specifically, Sara and Jim ask about the protocols (and oversights) that are involved with determining the perpetrator of a crime based on their genetic relationships. They take a deep dive into how the courts and law enforcement are defining the word ‘voluntary’, and also question what aspects of the 4th Amendment are regularly being violated. Later in the podcast they break down two significant cases that Prof. Ram relies on: Carpenter vs US, and State of Maryland vs Andrews. The show wraps with a focus on a burdensome benefit: the role of IGG in exonerating the wrongfully convicted.
Art – Simon & Associates
Music – Caleb Fletcher