The Kerry Baby Case

[LadyEloise]

With all the sad focus in the media of mothers and babies, the possibility of the Tuam babies being exhumed to establish their DNA, I wondered could the Gardai take the DNA of the baby found stabbed in Caherciveen and upload it anonymously to a site like Ancestry to get close links to help them in their murder investigation ?
That poor wee baby never got justice.

Or is that a mad idea that would break all sorts of GDPR regulations ?

I think that would be a great idea.

DNA was used (in a roundabout way) to catch the Golden State Killer in California. Different jurisdictions of course.

Does GDPR refer to personal data (name, address, identifying info of various kinds) or to the 'product' being worked on or produced (in this case DNA), or both?

I read about the DNA link and catching the Golden State Killer @mathanxiety.
I think they took DNA from local people in recent years but I'm not 100% sure.
The violence done to that little baby.
If it was the mother she needed help not punishment. If it is someone else they need incarceration, unless there are severe mental health issues.
I suppose because Joanne Hayes and her family has been in the news recently, it got me thinking.
Ancestry DNA or GED match could give the Garda detectives something to work with.

I think that unless Ancestry etc specifically stated when you signed up that it could be used for law enforcement purposes, I don't think the Gardai would be able to access it without a court ordering it.
I'm in the UK and only familiar with GDPR in UK (it hasn't done any mad diverging yet).
It's such a sad situation.

Obviously GDPR doesn't apply to the baby's DNA record because (I hate using this expression) it only applies to the living. But anyone alive who was on Ancestry etc and whose DNA matched would be covered by GDPR or any data protection law related to criminal offence personal data including allegations (not proven in court)

Could it be used in detective work ?
A family members DNA narrowing the field as it were and the pieces of the jigsaw fitting in to place.

There is a viable DNA sample for the baby. Several people did come forward and contribute samples to eliminate themselves. It was in the news 2 or 3 years ago. In theory it is solvable, by sampling a lot more people. Take a look at the Netflix golden state killer documentary, and you’ll see how public sources were used by very smart private individuals. It’s clearly not a priority.

In 2014 there was legislation in Ireland for DNA database. DNA is routinely used for stranger rape cases in my area. It could also be used for cold cases, but again it a priority.

bythebanksof
I know they have some of the baby's DNA and people in the area did give samples to eliminate themselves, fairly recently.
I just thought a "súil eile" or different approach might give them new leads.

But I wasn't sure of the legality of uploading the results onto a GED match site.

GED match asks users whether or not they consent to having their DNA data used by police forces.

I think it is a fantastic idea. By using DNA in this way, so many cold cases can be solved. So many perpetrators who think they will never be caught can be brought to justice.

@LadyEloise, I suspect it is a question of resources. In this case a voluntary community testing effort and modestly resourced investigation (with the right people!) would likely lead to a result.

The sad reality is that a lot of cases go cold due to limited or misapplied resources (some incredible/famous ones where I live).

Your user name suggests Cork.
I think of that couple who disappeared from a Cork town.

I still think it would narrow down possibilities if they could legally do a DNA test from a sample taken from the wee body.

Somethings happening.
www.independent.ie/irish-news/gardai-exhume-remains-of-baby-john-as-part-of-investigation-into-his-death-in-kerry-in-1984-40851818.html
Perhaps they have a DNA match?
I hope the gardai behave with a bit more sensitivity if they do.

Awful case, that poor baby. Hope it is solved.

I saw that the baby's body has been exhumed.
I do hope, as @FreedomAintWorthNothing that the case and those involved will be treated with greater sensitivity than before.

I hadn't realised that the baby was stabbed 28 times. Horrific and so desperately sad.

I listened to a podcast about a woman found murdered who couldn't be identified (death in ice valley).

the question of using online dna services came up as well, but apparently that's an ethical minefield that police would not authorise.
they do have the woman's dna on file should someone come forward who can reasonably claim that they are related.

I hope the find out what happened to the poor baby.
I do wish the media wouldn't start talking about Joanne Hayes every time this case is in the news. Firstly, because she should never have been associated with it and it is dredging up all that hurt and suffering, and secondly, because it moves the focus away from the baby boy who was murdered.

I agree with you TheVeryThing.
There's no need to bring up Joanne Hayes's name as it moves the focus off the wee baby who was murdered.

I also agree with TheVeryThing. It's completely unwarranted. I also didn't realise the extent of the baby's injuries until I read about it this week. It's so very sad.