Today, DNA testing kits are easier than ever to buy in not only the USA, but it is a fast growing market in many global economies. It is becoming clearer now more than ever that we, humans, are interested in the scientific foundation of our existence: DNA.

DNA can tell us so much about who we are now, how we got here, and why. Comparative DNA yields groundbreaking distinctions between species and function. For $99, you can purchase a saliva test which will come in the mail. Once taken, it is sent to be processed, broken down, and analyzed and compared to the millions of other samples in each DNA database.

Although the Police and Government have a national database for criminal DNA, it does not include DNA of those offenders who have never been caught before. Recently, third-party companies have begun to work together with police to shine some light on cold cases.

The most notorious case is the recent conviction of original Night Stalker aka, The Golden State Killer now known as Joseph James DeAngelo, 72. This man terrorized California in the '70s: killing at least 12 people and raping over 45 more. For over 30 years this criminal roamed free, but thanks to familial DNA match from GEDMatch the man is behind bars.

What is so effective about accessing DNA records and comparing them to evidenced DNA is that even if the man or woman has not entered their DNA in the system (as most criminals would be hesitant to do so), DNA can be traced from relatives to the criminal. Although some DNA comparisons prove already incarcerated criminals more guilty, these systems have great potential to find perpetrators and reduce future victims.

Only days after news hit earlier this year that DNA would be used to catch criminals, flurries of cases began to open again. For the first time since their cases went cold, the families of the attacker would have closure. NBC News recounts:

"Three weeks later, authorities in Tacoma, Washington, charged a man in the murder of a woman in 1986; he has pleaded not guilty. On June 25, a DJ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was arrested in a woman's 1992 homicide; he has not yet entered a plea. That same day, authorities in Brazos County, Texas, announced that a man who'd been executed for one murder had now been identified as the suspect in a second killing."

Can DNA from genealogy sites solve murder cases?YouTube

Addressing Critics, NBC's Kate Snow and Jon Schuppe explain that those concerned about privacy should not feel threatened.

"including privacy advocates and civil rights lawyers — say they worry about law enforcement's use of GEDmatch because there's no legal oversight, and it carries the risk of mistaken identifications. Moore and Parabon point out that the information they provide to police is not the final word; detectives must confirm that they have the right person through more traditional DNA matching."

Although these advancements in triangulating Genetic technology pose concerns in information regulation reminiscent of science fiction tales such as Gattaca, detectives, and scientists involved in DNA comparison do not release commercial DNA information that can be used for social in-congruence.

So, why not get your DNA tested this holiday season? Maybe your estranged second-uncle will get more than coal this year for Christmas.