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California has significantly broadened its approach to solving missing persons cases through newly expanded DNA identification capabilities. Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, signed the legislation last month, fundamentally transforming how the state’s Missing Persons DNA Program operates and what cases it can address.
The program previously restricted DNA database searches to identifying deceased individuals only. The updated law now permits investigators to use forensic DNA resources to identify unknown living persons as well, dramatically widening the scope of investigations that can benefit from these technological resources.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the importance of the change, noting that families of missing persons deserve swift answers rather than prolonged uncertainty. “Any missing person case — adult, child, MMIP, or otherwise — is one too many,” Bonta said in a statement, adding that the measure demonstrates California’s commitment to resolving these investigations.
Democratic Assemblymember James Ramos authored AB 2018, highlighting how the expansion particularly addresses the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons in California. Ramos stressed that providing investigators with modern forensic tools is essential for achieving justice and delivering closure to grieving families.
The law also modifies retention policies for DNA samples collected from relatives of missing persons. Previously destroyed after identification, these samples may now be preserved indefinitely if authorities believe additional remains may surface and require identification later.
Northern California law enforcement agencies have increasingly turned to advanced DNA-analysis techniques for cold case investigations. The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force, established in 2020, combines local law enforcement with forensic scientists employing cutting-edge methods to generate new investigative leads.
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