Tracing family trees to catch killers
Steve Kroft reports on how a new tool that uses a mixture of DNA analysis and family genealogy has been helping law enforcement crack cold cases.
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Steve Kroft reports on how a new tool that uses a mixture of DNA analysis and family genealogy has been helping law enforcement crack cold cases.
Barbara Rae-Venter never anticipated that her genealogy hobby would lead to the capture of one of California's most notorious criminals, the Golden State Killer. Her pioneering use of genetic genealogy has since helped solve numerous cold cases.
Genetic genealogy, a new frontier in criminology, uses DNA to crack cold cases. Would you have a problem if yours were used?
Paula Armentrout, vice president of Parabon NanoLabs, talks about leading a project at the company which turned out to be her entry to the world of genetic genealogy and CeCe Moore.
Paula and Steve Armentrout explain how Parabon determines the viability of forensic DNA from the crime labs and how they turn that biology into bits.
Researching her family history, Cheryl Wills found she was related to a former slave who served in the Civil War with the United States Colored Troops, which led her to a distant relative, a former plantation, and ultimately to Private Sandy Wills' remains.
Frazine Taylor spent decades as an archivist, helping to piece together families histories often shattered by systemic racism.
Genealogist Frazine Taylor of Montgomery, Alabama, made it her life's work to help African American families piece together their history, sifting through records where humans are identified only by numbers, names are misspelled and racially segregated records leave holes in family trees. James Brown pays tribute to her extraordinary accomplishments.
In this documentary, we follow the incredible story of an African American family who embarks on a journey of discovery after a lost letter from a formerly enslaved ancestor is unearthed. THIS DOCUMENTARY IS PAID FOR BY ANCESTRY.
The Blackwell's Kinfolk Family Tree is the largest in the collections of the Library of Congress, and counts tennis great Arthur Ashe among its descendants. The Virginia family traces its genealogical history all the way back to its first African ancestor in 1789. Nikole Killion has more.
When a woman uploads her DNA to a genealogy website, authorities show up at her door. Is there a double murderer in her family tree? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports.
When a woman uploads her DNA to a genealogy website, authorities show up at her door. Is there a double murderer in her family tree? "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty reports Saturday, Jan. 21 at 9/8c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
Investigators used genealogy websites to help them solve the cases. Prosecutors called Horace Van Vaultz Jr. a sexually motivated serial killer.
Trump says he scrapped a planned attack on Iran at the request of Gulf allies as "serious negotiations" on a peace deal are underway.
Survivors say they'd asked for more medical support before the Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. soldiers at their command post in Kuwait in the war's first 24 hours.
President Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday in the Texas Senate race, seeking to bring to an end a costly contest just a week ahead of the scheduled runoff.
One Republican lawyer close to the administration told CBS News that they expect the fund to face court challenges even though "a lot of people in MAGA world are already counting their money."
A security guard who was among the victims killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being hailed for his heroism and bravery during the attack.
There is concern among some in the Justice Department that the pending charges against him are weak, sources said.
President Trump has been openly mulling a takeover of Cuba similar to the operation that toppled Venezuela's Nicolás Madoro. What it would mean for the regime's leaders remains to be seen. Here are some of the figures to watch.
Voters are going to the polls Tuesday for primaries in several states, including the most expensive House primary in history.
Investigators have been looking at a handful of Chinese firms that together control the majority of unrefrigerated shipping container manufacturing around the globe, the sources said.
Polymarket users can now trade on private companies' valuations, IPOs and secondary market activity.
Buyers can still find lower-cost homes in some midsize cities, especially across the Rust Belt and Sun Belt, a new analysis finds.
Many Americans are signaling disapproval of the technology amid fears that it will eclipse already competitive entry-level jobs.
President Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday in the Texas Senate race, seeking to bring to an end a costly contest just a week ahead of the scheduled runoff.
Investigators have been looking at a handful of Chinese firms that together control the majority of unrefrigerated shipping container manufacturing around the globe, the sources said.
Polymarket users can now trade on private companies' valuations, IPOs and secondary market activity.
Buyers can still find lower-cost homes in some midsize cities, especially across the Rust Belt and Sun Belt, a new analysis finds.
Many Americans are signaling disapproval of the technology amid fears that it will eclipse already competitive entry-level jobs.
Police in Spain arrested the son of Isak Andic, the billionaire founder of the Spanish fashion brand Mango, for allegedly having played a role in his December 2024 death.
An uptick in people skipping Obamacare premium payments in many states suggests the Affordable Care Act's rising costs are hitting home for 2026 enrollees.
One Republican lawyer close to the administration told CBS News that they expect the fund to face court challenges even though "a lot of people in MAGA world are already counting their money."
There is concern among some in the Justice Department that the pending charges against him are weak, sources said.
President Trump endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday in the Texas Senate race, seeking to bring to an end a costly contest just a week ahead of the scheduled runoff.
Investigators have been looking at a handful of Chinese firms that together control the majority of unrefrigerated shipping container manufacturing around the globe, the sources said.
President Trump has been openly mulling a takeover of Cuba similar to the operation that toppled Venezuela's Nicolás Madoro. What it would mean for the regime's leaders remains to be seen. Here are some of the figures to watch.
An uptick in people skipping Obamacare premium payments in many states suggests the Affordable Care Act's rising costs are hitting home for 2026 enrollees.
A missionary doctor who was serving in Congo will receive treatment in Germany after testing positive for Ebola. Skyler Henry has the latest.
An American medical missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was evacuated after testing positive for Ebola.
The virus behind the latest Ebola outbreak is the Bundibugyo virus, which is less common and there is no vaccine or treatment.
The Trump administration announced it's restricting people who don't have U.S. passports from entering the country if they have been in Congo, South Sudan or Uganda amid the Ebola outbreak.
There is concern among some in the Justice Department that the pending charges against him are weak, sources said.
President Trump has been openly mulling a takeover of Cuba similar to the operation that toppled Venezuela's Nicolás Madoro. What it would mean for the regime's leaders remains to be seen. Here are some of the figures to watch.
Iranian state media showed wedding ceremonies in Tehran for dozens of couples said to have volunteered for "self-sacrifice" in the war with the U.S.
Sana Yousaf's murder in June drew nationwide condemnation and reignited debate over women's safety.
Survivors say they'd asked for more medical support before the Iranian drone strike that killed six U.S. soldiers at their command post in Kuwait in the war's first 24 hours.
Actor Beanie Feldstein told "CBS Mornings" she and wife Bonnie-Chance Roberts are expecting a baby girl.
Actor Beanie Feldstein talks about the theme of her debut children's book, which focuses on the power of friendship. She also discusses becoming a parent soon and starring in a new film with Robert De Niro.
Rob Cesternino, a 2-time "Survivor" castaway, talks about the upcoming "Survivor 50" finale, who he think will make the final three and who is his favorite to win the game.
Golden Globe-nominated actor Hayden Panettiere shares her story and opens up about life in the spotlight as a young actor, postpartum depression and her healing journey.
Jane Pauley hosts our annual look at design. Featured: Tiny homes in your backyard; Louis Vuitton; Adobe house construction; Finland's Marimekko; domino art; Philadelphia food favorites; chandeliers; Longwood Gardens; rare maps; and director Jon Favreau of "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
A California jury on Monday unanimously dismissed Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and its top executives. CBS News legal contributor Jessica Levinson breaks down the case.
A California jury on Monday unanimously dismissed Elon Musk's lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman. CBS News senior business and technology correspondent Jo Ling Kent reports.
From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.
California jury dismissed all charges, finding that Musk missed the three-year statute of limitations to file suit.
A nine-person jury will begin deliberations Monday in Elon Musk's $150 billion civil lawsuit against OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Rachel Metz, artificial intelligence reporter for Bloomberg, joins with more.
Independent scientists say the technology, while impressive, lacks some components to be truly considered an artificial egg.
The upcoming El Niño could trigger frequent and widespread flooding in coastal areas around the United States, even when storms aren't actively taking place, scientists warn.
The long-necked herbivore is the largest ever found in Southeast Asia, researchers said.
The last time an El Niño pattern occurred was in 2023, when the Eastern Pacific hurricane season produced 20 tropical systems.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
Mayor Todd Gloria joins CBS News to discuss Monday's shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego that killed three people.
A security guard who was among the victims killed in a shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego is being hailed for his heroism and bravery during the attack.
Video shows children fleeing the scene of a deadly shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday. CBS News' Anna Schecter has the latest details.
A New York judge ruled on Monday on what critical evidence can be used in Luigi Mangione's state trial, including a gun and red notebook. Mangione is accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in 2024 and has pleaded not guilty.
The Islamic Center of San Diego shooting, where three were killed on Monday, is being investigated as a hate crime as more details emerge about the suspected shooters. Jonathan Vigliotti reports, and Michael Alcazar, a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, joins CBS News with more insight.
The International Space Station-bound SpaceX Cargo Dragon is loaded with 6,500 pounds of needed equipment, research gear and crew supplies.
Researchers expected to find "a gradual increase in artificial light at night," but instead saw "much more nuanced patterns," NASA said.
NASA's Psyche spacecraft will slingshot past Mars on Friday, on its way toward a rare metal-rich asteroid.
NASA's Apollo 17 crew reported seeing three mysterious dots and sparks that resembled fireworks, according to new files released by the Pentagon.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a statement that the documents "have long fueled justified speculation — and it's time the American people see it for themselves."
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.
Does the evidence show a cover-up, or was Todd Kendhammer wrongfully convicted for the murder of his wife?
Christy Salters-Martin dominated in the boxing ring but faced her toughest challenger at home.
Family seeks answers in death of newlywed who disappeared in 2005 while on Mediterranean honeymoon cruise.
Meet the tattooed beauty charged in the death of Google executive Forrest Hayes.
Vice President JD Vance took questions on several different topics Tuesday during the White House press briefing. Following the briefing, CBS News correspondent Natalie Brand provided more context.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced tough questions from senators Tuesday on a number of different issues. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has more.
President Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was "an hour away" from making a decision to order new strikes on Iran, but decided not to at the request of Persian Gulf allies. CBS News correspondent Natalie Brand has more.
Investigators are looking into Chinese firms that allegedly slowed shipping container production in 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. CBS News' Jake Rosen has more.
President Trump is pulling no punches as he backs former Navy SEAL Ed Gallrein against incumbent GOP Rep. Thomas Massie in the primary for Kentucky's 4th Congressional District. CBS News White House reporter Aaron Navarro has more.