Criminal Procedure - Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Search - Affidavit for Judicial Authorization

SB 678 modifies the affidavit requirements law enforcement must submit to obtain court authorization for forensic genetic genealogy searches (FGGS) in criminal investigations. It requires a sworn affidavit stating: the perpetrator's identity is unknown; the crime involves murder, rape, sexual offenses, or a serious public safety threat; standard DNA testing from the forensic sample (collected at a crime scene, from a person/item related to the crime, or unidentified remains) already failed to identify a suspect; and reasonable investigative leads were pursued (unless an ongoing threat exists). The bill defines FGGS as analyzing crime scene DNA to create a profile, searching public genealogy databases, and using public records to identify suspects. This affects law enforcement agencies and courts in Maryland, streamlining the authorization process for FGGS in specific serious unsolved cases.