Nancy Guthrie investigators turn to genetic genealogy. It's worked in big cases before.

Investigators in the Nancy Guthrie case have turned to genetic genealogy as they try to make the most of potential DNA evidence.

• Feb 24

Human remains found in Canadian well identified as woman born in 1881

Police have identified a woman whose remains were found in a Canadian well nearly two decades ago. She was born in the 19th century, police said.

• Sep 30, 2025

DNA leads to arrest 4 decades after murder, sexual assault of teens

A 64-year-old man living in Arizona at the time of his arrest has been charged after DNA linked him to a California cold case.

• Jul 24, 2025

8 babies born with DNA from 3 people in world-first IVF trial

A groundbreaking IVF trial has raised hope that women with genetic mutations in their own DNA could one day have children without passing on deadly diseases.

• Jul 17, 2025

Cracking the code: Using genetic genealogy to unmask serial criminals

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.

• Jul 13, 2025

Ancient city possibly ruled by females over 9,000 years ago, researchers say

Researchers said their findings suggest husbands relocated to the wife's household upon marriage – suggesting a female dominance.

• Jun 28, 2025

Genetic genealogy convicts DJ Freez

CeCe Moore used a family genealogy database to solve a cold case from 1992. She tells Steve Kroft how she used the crime scene DNA to find the killer

• Jan 9, 2019
• 01:34

Bones found on N.J. beaches ID'd as captain of doomed 19th-century ship

The skeletal remains, including a skull, were found on a number of South Jersey beaches between 1995 and 2013.

• May 23, 2025

23andMe is potentially selling more than just genetic data

23andMe collected information from survey questions about personal health and beyond, such as drinking habits and risk tolerance.

• Apr 2, 2025

Forensic genetic genealogy helps identify "John Doe" killed in 1986

An investigation into the death of David Clary, who was killed in 1986, remains ongoing, police said.

• Mar 25, 2025

"Jeweled Mom" murder victim identified 43 years after body found

Florida investigators teamed up with a forensic genetic genealogy company to make a DNA profile that led to the identification.

• Feb 12, 2025

1991 murder victim identified as mom who went missing after child's party

A woman has been identified as Judy Rodriguez more than three decades after her body was found covered by a board in New York City.

• Dec 31, 2024

23andMe to lay off 40% of its workforce

The genetic testing company 23andMe is cutting 40% of its workforce and ending its therapeutics program as its stock price continues to plummet. CBS News correspondent Carter Evans has more on what this means for its customers.

• Nov 12, 2024
• 01:50

Decapitated man found by horseback rider in 1979 identified

The remains found by a boy who was horseback riding have been identified through DNA and forensic genealogy as those of Joseph Caliva.

• Mar 21, 2024

Remains identified as Oregon teen over 50 years after she went missing

The remains were identified as those of Sandra Young, who was a student at Portland's Grant High School when she disappeared.

• Feb 23, 2024

Hackers accessed 23andMe data of millions of users, company says

23andMe launched an investigation in October after a hacker claimed to have access to users' personal information.

• Dec 5, 2023

Boy hangs photo on bedroom wall; doesn't know it's his mother's killer

After Linda Slaten was murdered in her home in 1981, her sons Jeff and Tim spent nearly four decades living in fear of the man they called "the Monster." The killer was someone they knew and trusted.

• Oct 1, 2023

Son's coach ID'd as Florida mom's killer decades after her murder

Joseph Mills, a coach and role model to the victim's youngest son, was sentenced to life in prison without parole 41 years after the rape and murder of Linda Slaten in her Lakeland home.

• Oct 1, 2023

Authorities unknowingly rescue man from snowdrift after he killed 2 women

Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee were murdered in 1982. That same night, Alan Lee Phillips was rescued from a snowy mountain pass. Police now know he became stranded after dumping their bodies.

• Aug 27, 2023

After almost 40 years, blood on a victim's glove IDs the killer

The same day that Annette Schnee and Bobbie Jo Oberholtzer went missing from Breckenridge, Colorado, a man was rescued on a mountain pass. Decades later, police tie him to their murders.

• Aug 23, 2023
• 18 photos

Genetic genealogist helps solve case that had "a gnat's eyebrow of DNA"

Gabriella Vargas was determined to solve the Roxanne Wood cold murder case even though the odds seemed impossible.

• Aug 13, 2023

How a DNA "detective" helped solve "unsolvable" cold case

Roxanne Wood's murder in 1987 went cold for more than three decades before a genetic genealogist made a breakthrough.

• Aug 13, 2023

Is it genetic? What experts say about risk of diabetes, Alzheimer's and more

Do you have a family history of any physical or mental health conditions? Experts explain how genetics play a role in your potential risk levels.

• Jul 25, 2023

Attorney arrested in New Jersey for rapes committed in Boston 15 years ago

Boston police said Matthew Nilo, 35, was arrested in New Jersey for a string of rapes committed in 2007 and 2008.

• May 31, 2023

California man convicted of 1980s rape-murders of two women

Investigators used genealogy websites to help them solve the cases. Prosecutors called Horace Van Vaultz Jr. a sexually motivated serial killer.

• Aug 19, 2022