Investigative Genetic Genealogy

Timeline of Forensic DNA

1984

DNA Fingerprinting (VNTR: number variable tandem repeats)

1986

First conviction using DNA

1994

Improved DNA Markers (STR: short tandem repeats)

1998

CODIS Database (STRs)- CODIS has helped solve more than 680,122 investigations

2002

Familial DNA Searching (FDS)

2015

Probabolic Genotyping (PG)
Better Instruments
Rapid DNA
Next-Generation on Sequencing (NGS)

2018

Golden State Killer Arrested with IGG

2023

More than 600 cases solved using IGG

Understanding Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) For Solving Violent Crime

IGG is a powerful tool for solving violent crimes of homicide and sexual assault. It also is used to identify human remains and missing person investigations. We have been using DNA to solve crimes for several decades. Advances in DNA technology allow the use of unknown DNA to be uploaded to genealogy databases like GEDmatch and Familytree to help generate investigative leads that help solve cases that have previously gone unsolved.

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IGG for Law Enforcement

Establishing guidelines gives law enforcement confidence to use IGG as a tool to apply to unsolved cases. 2. You can help solve crime and identify the missing by becoming a genetic witness. You can do this by uploading your DNA to approved databases where professional genetic genealogists can build family trees to help identify leads for law enforcement to pursue possible perpetrators. As of 2023, more than 600 cases have been solved using IGG.

Why IGG Is Important

Genealogy Database

IGG Forensic Labs

IGG Cases

Police Haven’t Said How They Cracked the Idaho Murders.
This Is How.

Investigators found suspect Bryan Kohberger with the method that solved the Golden State Killer case. But they aren’t saying so.

Clearfield police arrest alleged serial rapist with the use of a DNA database

With the help of a DNA database, the Clearfield Police Department arrested a man Wednesday they believe committed multiple aggravated sexual assaults in Utah and Wyoming between 1991 and 2001.

Suspect identified in cold murder cases of 2 California women

More than 30 years after two Orange County women were killed, the police have found the suspect using DNA evidence.

How police found the Golden State Killer's DNA

On April 24, 2018, California police had a breakthrough in an investigation that spanned decades: They arrested Joseph James DeAngelo, an ex-cop believed to be the Golden State Killer. One year later, here’s everything to know about the case.

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