
With a genuine passion for genealogy, DNA analysis and solving mysteries, we are dedicated to uncovering answers using best practices in advocacy, education, preservation, and research while maintaining the appropriate applicable privacy.
After realizing a lot people have no idea how much a formally trained genealogist charges, we decided to go non-profit and work on sliding scales for those people who are really in need, especially solving criminal cases for identifying victims, foundlings, remains, and some adoptee cases.
Forensic genealogy – applying the highest genealogical standards to research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implications, usually involving living individuals.
Using DNA to solve the mystery is not always an easy task:
Key reasons:
Individual Identification
Connecting suspects to crime scenes or identify the victim
Exonerating the innocent
Solving Cold Cases
Scientific Validity
Non-profit and volunteers are key factors in genealogy research.
Venture philanthropy is a relatively new concept of cooperation in which nonprofits not only fund research but also take a businesslike approach to product development, commercialization, and collaboration with industry partners.
Investigators must be prepared for potential pain points such as managing conflicts of interest, managing intellectual property, and ensuring prior art is accounted for during the application process.
In a general investigation, due diligence acts as a thorough and careful examination of all relevant information about a subject, including their financial status, legal history, and reputation, to identify potential risks and ensure informed decision-making before entering into a business relationship or taking any significant action, essentially acting as a protective measure to mitigate potential legal or financial liabilities.
Our Genealogists have training in Criminal Justice (Texas), Crime Scene Investigations (Texas), National Institute of Genealogical Studies (Canada); University of Strathclyde (Scotland); Legal Research (North Carolina); TriTech Forensic Genetic Genealogy, Forensic Biology & DNA Analysis; Verogen Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy; Trace DNA Academy; and Diahan Southard DNA Academy; and continuing education with Legacy Tree webinars, MyHeritage webinars, RootsTech, and Board for Certified Genealogists
- DNA samples from a crime scene are analyzed using advanced genetic testing that focuses on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) which can reveal distant family relationships.
- The generated DNA profile is compared to publicly available genetic databases from genealogy companies, looking for potential matches to distant relatives.
- Once potential relatives are identified, traditional genealogical research methods are used to build a family tree and narrow down the suspect pool.
- Using genealogical databases raises ethical concerns about privacy, as it can potentially expose information about individuals who did not consent to their genetic data being used in criminal investigations.
- Proper legal procedures and regulations are needed to ensure the appropriate use of forensic genealogy while protecting individuals' privacy.