Imagine a case that’s been cold for decades, no leads, no suspects, and families left without answers. Then one piece of DNA changes everything.
In this video, Ashley Flowers breaks down five powerful types of DNA testing that investigators use to solve crimes and real cases where those methods led to breakthroughs.
#5: Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG)
A technique that combines DNA analysis with family tree research to identify suspects through relatives.
Featured case: April Marie Tinsley (Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1988)
#4: Familial DNA Searching
Instead of a perfect match, investigators look for partial matches to relatives in DNA databases.
Featured case: Wendy Jerome (Syracuse, New York, 1984)
#3: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
Used when traditional DNA is too degraded, especially helpful with hair samples.
Featured case: Gilgo Beach investigation (Long Island, New York, 1990s–2010s)
#2: Y-STR Testing
Focuses on male DNA to isolate profiles in mixed samples.
Featured case: Austin Yogurt Shop Murders (Austin, Texas, 1991)
#1: STR Analysis (Short Tandem Repeat)
The gold standard of DNA testing, used to confirm exact matches.
Featured case: Green River Killer,Gary Ridgway (Washington State, 1980s–2001)
From decades-old cases to modern investigations, these methods have transformed how crimes are solved, turning tiny biological clues into powerful evidence.
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Key Episode Moments:
00:00 Intro
00:31 Investigative Genetic Genealogy (I-G-G)
2:59 Familial Searching
4:46 Mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA Analysis
6:48 Y-STR Database Searching
8:29 Short Tandem Repeat, or STR Analysis
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Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers.
About Ashley Flowers
Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of Audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families.
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Check out these other great crime channels:
@annieelise If Looks Could Kill: The Murder-For-Hire Case of Tara Lambert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d30lOKqRvoA
@kallmekris This 37-Year-Old Cold Case Was SOLVED By The Internet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQiqTxBBjIQ
@KendallRae Police Find Murder Plot Crumpled In Trash?! The Case Of Patrick De La Cerda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaSUhwtjJvw
@bellafiori The Twisted Case of Dan Markel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v45cDjLN6ZQ
Watch Crime Junkie true crime podcast dedicated to covering the cases we just can’t get out of our heads. Every Monday, host Ashley Flowers on SloppBoxx.Com.
1:29 RIP
I’m from Fort Wayne, and every so often I walk past the park where they have the memorial for April.
LOVE getting some solved cases sprinkled in!!
As always, thank you for the information
It is incredibly disappointing to see how the network handled the Anatomy of Murder situation. A company that built its brand on advocating for victims just used shady corporate tactics to push out Anna-Sigga and Scott over unpaid ad revenue. They withheld the money, kept the IP when the contract ended, and even cut the creators’ final goodbye message to the fans. If you want the actual facts, search Google for the Variety article titled ‘Anatomy of Murder Podcast L.a.w.s.u.i.t’. The original hosts deserved better, and true true-crime fans deserve to know where the talent actually went.
Friendly and gentle reminder that intersex people exist 😊 some men and women can even go their whole lives not knowing they were born with xx or xy chromosomes respectively unless if they had this sort of test done. Science is amazing!
Thank God for dna ❤❤❤