Breaking: Boulder Police reboot the JonBenét Ramsey investigation with fresh DNA testing, new evidence work, and a digital records push. I confirmed today that the case has moved into an active review cycle, with modern genetic tools now at the center. The department says it is retesting material, collecting new items, and re-interviewing witnesses. The goal is clear. Use today’s science to answer a question that has haunted a city for nearly three decades.
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What investigators are doing right now
Detectives are building a new inventory of everything in the file. They describe thousands of items of evidence and a vast archive of reports and tips. Much of it has now been digitized in coordination with federal partners. That matters. A searchable archive saves time, reduces error, and flags items that can be tested with better tools.
The lab plan focuses on two tracks. First, advanced DNA testing that can pull usable profiles from tiny or mixed samples. Second, investigative genetic genealogy, which builds family trees from crime scene DNA hits in consumer databases where users have opted in. This approach, used in many cold cases, can point to a likely suspect family, then guide traditional police work.
Chain of custody is a big focus. Every transfer and test is logged. That protects any future prosecution and helps a jury trust the science. I am told the team is also screening each item for potential contamination risk before any new test is run.
The department says the case is a top priority, with outside scientists and prosecutors advising on what can be reliably tested now.
The legal rules and what they mean
There is no statute of limitations for murder in Colorado. If the science produces a name and the facts support probable cause, prosecutors can file charges, no matter how much time has passed.
DNA has rules. CODIS, the national law enforcement database, is for specific kinds of profiles and known offenders. Investigative genetic genealogy is different. It uses public or consumer databases where users consent to law enforcement comparison. Under federal policy, investigators should use it only for serious violent crimes. They should also seek supervisory approval and document each step.
Some states now require a court order before police search genealogy databases. Others set strict consent standards for family reference samples. Colorado does not have a detailed statute just for genetic genealogy. General rules still apply. Police need a warrant or valid consent to take DNA from a person. Any search must meet Fourth Amendment standards. Expect a judge to review warrants closely in a case this high profile.
Grand jury use is also on the table. A grand jury can compel testimony and records. Its work is secret by law. If an indictment is returned, the secrecy lifts when charges are filed. Until then, public records laws will not pry open an active file.
Citizen rights, privacy, and transparency
Genetic genealogy raises real privacy questions. People share DNA with their families. One upload can affect many relatives. Most consumer sites now require users to opt in for law enforcement matching. You can opt out at any time, which removes your data from police searches going forward.
Colorado’s data privacy law covers genetic data in many private settings, but law enforcement is generally exempt while investigating crimes. That is why policy guardrails and clear consent rules matter.
If you are contacted for a voluntary DNA swab, you can say no. You can ask for a lawyer. If police show a warrant, you have the right to see it and to keep a copy.
Victims have rights too. Under Colorado’s Victim Rights Act, families have the right to be informed, to be heard at key moments, and to receive updates. Those rights apply even in cold cases.
Think before you upload DNA to any site. Read the policy. Decide whether you want to opt in to law enforcement matching.
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Have first-hand information or a relevant tip. Use the police tip line or a known partner portal. Keep a record of when and what you submitted.
What a realistic path to resolution looks like
- Targeted retesting produces a viable DNA profile from preserved evidence.
- Genealogy work suggests a likely family tree, then a shortlist of potential suspects.
- Investigators collect known samples from trash or with a warrant to compare.
- Prosecutors evaluate the total case, not just DNA, then decide on charges.
This pace is measured in months, not days. Building a family tree can be quick or slow, depending on database matches and records. Warrants, lab backlogs, and follow-up interviews add time. The standard is still probable cause. DNA is powerful, but it works best when it matches strong facts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can this case still be prosecuted after nearly 30 years
A: Yes. Murder has no statute of limitations in Colorado.
Q: Will police share lab results with the public
A: Not while the case is active. Evidence details are exempt from release during an investigation.
Q: Do police need a warrant to take my DNA
A: Yes, unless you consent. You can refuse a voluntary swab.
Q: Can investigators use my consumer DNA data
A: Only if you opted in on a site that allows law enforcement matching, or if they have a court order and the site permits it.
Q: How long could the genealogy phase take
A: Weeks to many months. It depends on match quality, records, and lab timelines.
The bottom line
The JonBenét Ramsey case is now in a modern lab and under fresh leadership. The science is stronger, the record is organized, and legal tools are clear. Privacy and due process still shape every step. If the data lines up with the facts, Colorado law gives prosecutors a clear runway to act. The next moves will be careful, and they will matter.
