U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Peter Welch (D-VT) today introduced the Carla Walker Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at dedicating existing federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis. This advanced technology helps solve previously unsolvable cold cases and is named in honor of Fort Worth native Carla Walker, whose murderer was identified 46 years after her death with the aid of FGG.
"Fort Worth native Carla Walker was abducted in a bowling alley and tragically murdered in 1974, but it took more than four decades and the advent of forensic genetic genealogy DNA analysis for her killer to be identified and brought to justice,” said Senator Cornyn. “I am proud to have authored this legislation, which would make this cutting-edge DNA testing technology more widely available to law enforcement so they can better identify and prosecute offenders, solve cold cases, and bring closure to victims’ families.”
Senator Welch emphasized the technology's impact: "Advancements in forensic DNA technology have revolutionized our ability to combat crime...Our bipartisan bill will help investigators across the country harness the incredible power of FGG technology to crack cold cases and deliver justice to countless victims and families."
U.S. Congressman Wesley Hunt (TX-38) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The Power of Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Traditional forensic DNA profiling typically examines 13-20 Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA markers to search for matches in the FBI’s national database of known offenders. In contrast, FGG technology examines over half a million Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) across the entire human genome. By cross-referencing shared blocks of SNP markers, FGG can identify relatives of a genetic profile, allowing investigators to build family trees that ultimately help determine a suspect's identity and solve cases.
Carla Walker's Case: A Catalyst for Change
Carla Walker was abducted from a bowling alley parking lot in Fort Worth, Texas, on February 17, 1974, and her body was found three days later. Despite collected forensic samples, the murder remained unsolved for decades due to limited forensic technology. Nearly 50 years later, FGG DNA analysis was performed on the last remaining DNA from a piece of Walker’s clothing. This led to a successful DNA match with the McCurley family, ultimately identifying Glen McCurley, Jr. as the killer. McCurley confessed in 2021 and died in prison on July 14, 2023.
Goals of the Carla Walker Act
Senator Cornyn’s Carla Walker Act aims to create a pilot program that makes this cutting-edge FGG DNA analysis more widely available to investigative agencies to:
- Aid in resolving previously unsolvable cold cases.
- Assist in the identification of criminals.
- Seek justice for previously unidentified victims.
- Help exonerate wrongly accused suspects.
- Bring closure for the victims’ loved ones.
