Course: 2027-06
Inside Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy: Methods, Ethics, & Case Studies
Virtual via Zoom
Faculty:
- Coordinator and Instructor: Allison Ryall, AIGG
- Other Instructors: Jason Shea; Teresa Vreeland; Ryan Berry; Dr. Jesse Goliath; Patricia Reed, CG; David Gurney, PhD, JD, AIGG; Christine Flechter, MSW, AIGG
Tuition:
• Regular Price: $615
• NGS Member Price: $575
Description:
Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) has transformed the investigation of violent crime and the identification of unknown human remains. Behind successful case resolutions lies the careful integration of genetic genealogy, documentary research, forensic science, investigative strategy, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
This course introduces the principles, practices, and ethical considerations of FIGG. Participants will explore the investigative process from the recovery of biological evidence or unidentified human remains through forensic laboratory analysis, genealogical research, investigative lead generation, confirmatory DNA testing, and case resolution. Lectures, guest presentations from professionals working in the field, and real-world case studies will illustrate the roles of genealogists, laboratories, law enforcement, medical examiners, prosecutors, and others while addressing the scientific, legal, ethical, and practical considerations that guide this work.
The course is organized around five themes:
Monday: The Birth of a New Discipline Explore the origins, evolution, and applications of FIGG.
Tuesday: Following the DNA Trail Examine what forensic DNA can and cannot reveal and how match information shapes research.
Wednesday: From DNA Matches to Investigative Leads Explore genealogical research, critical thinking, evidence correlation, and lead development.
Thursday: The Responsibility of Discovery Examine privacy, ethics, professional responsibility, the justice system, and the impact on victims and families.
Friday: The Future of FIGG Consider emerging technologies, evolving standards, artificial intelligence, education, and professional development.
Note: This course is an educational introduction and does not prepare participants to conduct FIGG casework independently.
Course Objectives:
- Describe the principal applications of forensic investigative genetic genealogy in unknown-offender and unidentified-human-remains investigations, and distinguish FIGG from traditional genealogy, consumer genetic genealogy, forensic DNA profiling, and other forensic or legal applications of genealogy and genetic genealogy.
- Outline the progression of a FIGG investigation from biological evidence and DNA analysis through genealogical research, investigative lead generation, confirmatory testing, and case resolution, including the roles of laboratories, genealogists, law enforcement, medical examiners, and prosecutors.
- Explain how DNA matches, documentary evidence, and genealogical methodology are combined to develop and evaluate investigative hypotheses, while recognizing common research challenges such as limited matches, conflicting evidence, unknown parentage, pedigree collapse, and endogamy.
- Evaluate the legal, ethical, privacy, and professional responsibilities associated with FIGG, including the perspectives and experiences of victims, families, and DNA matches.
- Assess real-world case studies to identify the research strategies, limitations, multidisciplinary collaboration, and investigative decision-making that contributed to case resolution.
Student Prerequisites:
Participants should have a solid foundation in genealogical research principles and practices, including documentary research, evidence evaluation, family reconstruction, and the interpretation of historical records. Students should also have a working knowledge of genetic genealogy sufficient to understand DNA inheritance, common DNA test types and terminology, match relationships, and the use of DNA in genealogical research.
Recommended:
No advanced reading is required. Participants interested in additional background may wish to review the following:
- Ramage, Michael S., and Catherine Becker Wiest Desmarais. Forensic Genealogy: Theory & Practice. Edited by Thomas W. Jones. National Genealogical Society, 2024. Of particular relevance is the chapter “Investigative Genetic Genealogy,” by David Gurney and Cairenn Binder. URL: https://www.ngsgenealogy.org/forensic-genealogy/
- United States Department of Justice. Interim Policy: Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching. Approved 2 September 2019; effective 1 November 2019. URL: https://www.justice.gov/d9/pages/attachments/2019/09/24/finaldojinterimpolicyonfgg.pdf
- Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board. Investigative Genetic Genealogy Professional Standards and Accreditation Requirements. April 2024, with April 2025 supplement. URL: https://www.iggab.org/uploads/1/4/2/9/142901820/investigative_genetic_genealogy_professional_standards_and_accreditation_requirements_-_april_2025.pdf
- Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board. Investigative Genetic Genealogy Code of Professional Ethics. April 2025. URL: https://www.iggab.org/uploads/1/4/2/9/142901820/iggab_code_of_professional_ethics_-_april_2025.pdf
Recordings:
Sessions will be recorded and available through July 9, 2027.
NOTE: All times are listed in Eastern Time.
Live Sessions may be subject to schedule adjustments by your course coordinator.
| Day | Session | Time | Session Title | Description | Instructor |
| M | 10:10-30 | Welcome to the Institute | Meet the instructors and fellow participants, review the course objectives and schedule, and explore how the week’s topics build upon one another. An introduction to FIGG will establish the multidisciplinary nature of the field and provide context for the sessions ahead. | Ryall | |
| M | 1 | 10:30-11:45 | When Genealogy Becomes an Investigative Tool | Discover how genealogy emerged as a powerful investigative tool within modern forensic science. Trace the evolution of FIGG, examine the types of cases in which it is used, and distinguish it from other forms of genealogy, genetic genealogy, and forensic DNA analysis. | Ryall |
| M | 2 | 12:00-1:15 | The Life of a FIGG Case | What actually happens during a FIGG investigation? Follow the process from the recovery of biological evidence through forensic DNA analysis, genealogical research, investigative lead development, confirmatory testing, and case resolution. | Ryall |
| M | 3 | 2:15-3:30 | The Investigator’s View from the Field | Hear directly from a law enforcement investigator about when FIGG is considered, what investigators need from genealogists, and how investigative leads are developed, evaluated, and, when warranted, pursued through additional investigation and confirmatory testing. | Shea |
| M | 4 | 3:45-5:00 | Case Files: Changing the Course of an Investigation | Explore real investigations that demonstrate how FIGG is applied in practice. Case studies will highlight investigative strategy, genealogical problem solving, multidisciplinary collaboration, and lessons learned along the way. | Ryall |
| T | 5 | 10:30-11:45 | What DNA Can, and Cannot, Tell Us | DNA can provide powerful investigative clues, but it cannot answer every question. Explore the capabilities and limitations of forensic DNA, why SNP profiles are used in FIGG, and where genealogy enters the investigative process. | Ryall |
| T | 6 | 12:00-1:15 | The First Clues: Understanding the Match List | A forensic match list provides clues, not answers. Examine shared DNA, relationship estimates, shared matches, family trees, and other available information while considering the limitations of match data and the questions that shape the initial research plan. | Reed |
| T | 7 | 2:15-3:30 | Behind the Science | Learn how biological evidence is transformed into a SNP profile suitable for genealogical analysis. The session will explore laboratory workflows, quality assurance, and the collaboration required among laboratory professionals, investigators, and genealogists. | Vreeland |
| T | 8 | 3:45-5:00 | Case Files: Following the Genetic Trail | Explore unknown-offender investigations that demonstrate how DNA evidence and genealogical research work together to develop investigative leads and help identify possible suspects | Ryall |
| W | 9 | 10:30-11:45 | Thinking Like a FIGG Genealogist | Successful FIGG research requires more than building family trees. Learn how genealogists develop hypotheses, prioritize research, correlate evidence, eliminate possibilities, and document findings while maintaining sound genealogical standards. | Ryall |
| W | 10 | 12:00-1:15 | When the Answers Aren’t Easy | Examine challenges such as limited DNA matches, conflicting evidence, unknown parentage, recent immigration, pedigree collapse, and endogamy. Guided examples will demonstrate how genealogists evaluate competing hypotheses and determine what additional research is needed. | Ryall |
| W | 11 | 2:15-3:30 | Restoring Identity | Explore the role of forensic anthropology in the investigation and identification of unidentified human remains. Learn how anthropological analysis, case information, and collaboration with investigators and genealogists can contribute to restoring an identity to the unknown. | Goliath |
| W | 12 | 3:45-5:00 | Case Files: Restoring Names | Explore unidentified-human-remains investigations that demonstrate how genealogical research can help restore identities to the unknown and provide long-awaited answers to families and investigators. | Ryall |
| Th | 13 | 10:30-11:45 | The Responsibility That Comes with Discovery | Explore the ethical responsibilities of forensic investigative genetic genealogy, including privacy, informed consent, public DNA databases, Department of Justice policy, and maintaining public trust while balancing the interests of victims, families, investigators, and DNA matches. | Fiechter |
| Th | 14 | 12:00-1:15 | From Genealogical Lead to Prosecution | A prosecuting attorney will explain what happens after genealogy identifies an investigative lead. Topics will include additional investigation, confirmatory DNA testing, search warrants, evidentiary considerations, disclosure obligations, and the role FIGG may play as a case moves toward prosecution. | Berry |
| Th | 15 | 2:15-3:30 | The People Behind the Cases | Explore the human impact of forensic investigative genetic genealogy through the perspective of those directly affected by a case. A real-world exoneration will illustrate how FIGG can provide answers when other avenues have been exhausted and why the work carries responsibilities that extend far beyond the genealogical research itself. | Gurney |
| Th | 16 | 3:45-5:00 | Case Files: The Pursuit of Justice | Examine investigations that demonstrate how genealogy, forensic science, law enforcement, and the legal system work together while navigating the scientific, legal, and ethical responsibilities of FIGG. | Ryall |
| F | 17 | 10:30-11:45 | The Next Chapter of FIGG | Explore emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, evolving laws and policies, professional standards, accreditation, and new applications of FIGG. Consider the education, experience, and challenges that will shape the discipline as it continues to mature. | Ryall and Reed |
| F | 18 | 12:00-1:15 | Looking Back, Looking Forward | Bring the week’s themes and case studies together to examine what contributed to successful outcomes, where challenges arose, and what they reveal about the practice of FIGG. The course concludes with participant questions and resources for continued learning. | Ryall |