4 ms·

It should be very valuable for counterintelligence to check the legends of enemy agents. If the DNA of the suspected agent identifies relatives that are implaus

It should be very valuable for counterintelligence to check the legends of enemy agents. If the DNA of the suspected agent identifies relatives that are implausible given the provided back story, further investigation may reveal that the legend is false. It should also be valuable for screening candidates for security clearances. Are the relatives named by the candidate related to the candidates DNA relatives? If not, further investigation is warranted.

greedo 7y ago
Then it would just be a matter of subverting the DNA entries (in the database). Either in the public sources, or in opposition's database. Replace the true DNA data with your agents actual data.
- rogerkirkness 7y ago
  Was just thinking this. Have someone else spit in the tube, don't do it yourself.
- Merrill 7y ago
  But like other things, such as social media, big data, and blockchain, it makes it harder to establish secure fake identities. Inhibiting the creation of fake identities inhibits both criminal activity and covert operations of law enforcement and national security.
- buckminster 7y ago
  You're an American agent in Moscow. They can easily get a real sample of your DNA and run a match. Now they know your real relatives. How do you fake this? Even if the CIA create a complete web of fake identities in the DNA database, how do you stop a real relative uploading their DNA?
giancarlostoro 7y ago
> Are the relatives named by the candidate related to the candidates DNA relatives? Might find cases of infidelity more than anything. Talk about awkward.
- kjs3 7y ago
  Indeed. I did a genetic test, and a year or so later got an email to the effect "apparently my grandfather isn't my grandfather but one of your (distant) relatives".
- J-dawg 7y ago
  This is already happening on a large scale (but not yet being revealed to the victims) thanks to testing for inheritable diseases. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/31/oneperson-10-mistaken-identity-father-reveals-nhs-chief/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/31/oneperson-10-mis...
  - Merrill 7y ago
    >It is currently estimated that around 4 per cent of the population are unaware the man they call their father is not their true biological relative. That is for the UK. It may vary a lot by ethnoreligious and socioeconomic groups in different countries.

greedo 7y ago

Then it would just be a matter of subverting the DNA entries (in the database). Either in the public sources, or in opposition's database. Replace the true DNA data with your agents actual data.

rogerkirkness 7y ago
Was just thinking this. Have someone else spit in the tube, don't do it yourself.
Merrill 7y ago
But like other things, such as social media, big data, and blockchain, it makes it harder to establish secure fake identities. Inhibiting the creation of fake identities inhibits both criminal activity and covert operations of law enforcement and national security.
buckminster 7y ago
You're an American agent in Moscow. They can easily get a real sample of your DNA and run a match. Now they know your real relatives. How do you fake this? Even if the CIA create a complete web of fake identities in the DNA database, how do you stop a real relative uploading their DNA?

giancarlostoro 7y ago

> Are the relatives named by the candidate related to the candidates DNA relatives? Might find cases of infidelity more than anything. Talk about awkward.

kjs3 7y ago
Indeed. I did a genetic test, and a year or so later got an email to the effect "apparently my grandfather isn't my grandfather but one of your (distant) relatives".
J-dawg 7y ago
This is already happening on a large scale (but not yet being revealed to the victims) thanks to testing for inheritable diseases. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/31/oneperson-10-mistaken-identity-father-reveals-nhs-chief/ https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/31/oneperson-10-mis...
- Merrill 7y ago
  >It is currently estimated that around 4 per cent of the population are unaware the man they call their father is not their true biological relative. That is for the UK. It may vary a lot by ethnoreligious and socioeconomic groups in different countries.