The recent bankruptcy filing of genetic testing company 23andMe, which allows users to spit in a tube and send away the sample for a detailed DNA analysis, has sparked the possibility that the data could revolutionize cold-case cracking.

“The more data you have, the better that data could help law enforcement in solving cold cases,” Eric Brown, the founder and CEO of Imperio Consulting, told Fox News Digital. “Where law enforcement didn’t have access to DNA before, the potential sale could provide additional genetic information that authorities did not have access to before.”

In the past, 23andMe generally resisted law enforcement requests for customer data, but it would comply with valid court orders or subpoenas. The company’s Transparency Report noted that it received 15 requests from law enforcement but fulfilled none of them.

“The sale of 23andMe could increase the database by millions of records that they didn’t have access to before,” Brown said. “The least sliver of DNA from a criminal could 100% help law enforcement.” 

The rise and fall of 23andMe: Peak to plateau to panic

Eran Barak, CEO of MIND, a data security firm, told Fox News Digital that interest plateaued in DNA testing companies following their growth in the 2010s.

Barak said the companies’ downfall was due to market saturation, fewer consumers interested in recreational genealogy and rising consumer wariness about how their sensitive data is handled.

“When your DNA is compromised, it’s not just a password reset. It’s permanent,” he said.

“The breach raised alarm among customers concerned about their privacy and how DNA-testing firms handle their data,” Barak said. “Genetic data is arguably the most sensitive form of personally identifiable information (PII). It can reveal predispositions to disease, familial relationships and even be used in criminal investigations.”

The plateauing interest in recreational genealogy services moved many companies towards monetizing customer data through partnerships with pharmaceutical and research institutions. 

“The 23andMe bankruptcy isn’t just about business mismanagement or market downturns; it reflects growing skepticism around personal genetic data, rising concerns over PHI (Protected Health Information) and PII (Personally Identifiable Information) security, and broader shifts in how consumers engage with biotech and digital health platforms,” Barak said.

Fox News Digital has reached out to 23andMe for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.