Familial DNA testing officially went into effect on Wednesday.

The state's Commission on Forensic Science approved the measure in June, it allows searches by police to identify suspects who are not in the criminal database by looking at the DNA of their family members.

The parents of Karina Vetrano advocated strongly for familial DNA testing across the state, after their daughter was attacked and killed while running near the family home in Howard Beach last August.

DNA was found at the crime scene, but it didn't match anyone in the criminal database.

20-year-old Chanel Lewis was arrested and charged with her killing in February, without the use of familial DNA.

He's been charged with murder and sexual abuse, and faces life in prison without parole if he's convicted.