What is forensic investigative genetic genealogy?
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) is a method applied to DNA investigation that can generate leads in violent crime or unidentified human remains cases.
FIGG combines standard forensic procedures for generating a DNA profile with comparisons of genetic relatives in genealogy databases. The largest of these is the GEDmatch database. These comparisons allow genealogists to construct a family tree using resources such as census records, obituaries and newspaper archives, then identify the source of the DNA through the family tree.
The combination of consumer DNA testing and established genealogical research can identify potential genetic links to a DNA sample associated with unidentified human remains or a suspect in a violent crime. Further analysis then confirms the identity of the DNA source. An example of success using this approach was the 2018 arrest and subsequent conviction of Joseph DeAngelo in the Golden State Killer case.
Traditional forensic DNA typing focuses on short tandem repeat (STR) markers whereas FIGG uses single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). (See the Glossary of terms for short explanations of STRs and SNPs).
How does FIGG work for missing persons and law enforcement?
The utility of STR markers is limited to scenarios where there is a suspect or database match involving direct or first-degree family references. It is also important that DNA integrity allows for the amplification of sufficient STR fragments for a strong enough statistical outcome. When the DNA is more degraded and/or where references from direct relatives are not available, SNP markers are the ideal alternative to STRs.
SNP amplicons are shorter than most STR amplicons with lengths typically less than 150 bp. This makes them well-suited for the analysis of degraded samples. They also have a lower mutation rate than STRs. This is useful for kinship analysis where decreased mutation rate over the course of generations will lead to a reduced chance of false exclusion. The ability to multiplex 1000’s of markers simultaneously with targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) provides enhanced kinship power to reach out to more distant relatives.
The SNP profile is uploaded to a law enforcement FIGG portal such as GEDmatch PRO.
Are you a genealogist, forensic scientist or law enforcement professional working with Kintelligence and FIGG?
FIGG for forensic scientists
FIGG for genealogists
For the established forensic investigative genetic genealogist
Through the GEDmatch PRO portal, Kintelligence kits can be compared against other profiles to find genetic associations. These genetic associations can help genealogists create family trees that might lead law enforcement to a person of interest. The further you extend a kinship search, the more likely it is to find a match to the profile of interest, but the level of investigative effort and cost is increased proportionately. Fifth-degree relatives (e.g., great-great-great grandfather, second cousin) are readily identified using ForenSeq Kintelligence tools in GEDmatch PRO. An increasing number of private and public forensic laboratories are implementing the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit for FIGG.
GEDmatchPRO
GEDmatch PRO is a dedicated portal designed to support police and forensic teams with investigative comparisons to GEDmatch data. The portal separates police comparisons of GEDmatch data from standard genealogy activities and offers a range of tools most relevant to help further investigations.
GEDmatch PRO accepts uploads from all the data sources GEDmatch supports — SNP reports (kits) generated by WGS, microarrays and targeted sequencing. It will also accept data from the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit, the QIAGEN forensic genetic genealogy assay designed specifically for forensic sample analysis. Demand for knowledge and expertise on genealogy research using a Kintelligence match list from GEDmatch PRO is increasing.
Who can access the portal?
Law enforcement agencies, forensic practitioners and genealogists can register for an account with GEDmatch PRO. All GEDmatch user data is available for matching for the purpose of human remains identification. Only GEDmatch user data consented for use in law enforcement matching is available for comparison for the purpose of identifying perpetrators of violent crimes.
Are you a genealogist with an interest in forensics?
Gain DNA sequencing insights from QIAGEN product managers and learn from genealogy practitioners as they share their knowledge and recommendations for working with Kintelligence.
Trends indicate that many law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories are building internal FIGG units and hiring in-house genealogists. To that end, familiarity with various technological options will enhance any genealogist’s capacity to work with laboratories or law enforcement to solve cases.
FIGG for law enforcement
Kintelligence and GEDmatch PRO
The ForenSeq Kintelligence workflow was designed specifically to generate a FIGG SNP profile and aligns seamlessly with GEDmatch PRO. Current FIGG approaches, where cases are sent to service labs, enable hundreds of cases to be processed annually. Kintelligence is designed to enable thousands of cases to be handled each year. This means higher case solves and fewer perpetrators on the streets. If your regular laboratory partner does not offer this service, let us save you time, money and sample by connecting you with a provider familiar with the challenges associated with forensic investigations.
Explore how GEDmatch PRO can transform your research and investigative efforts
GEDmatch PRO is a dedicated forensic portal for kinship estimation in cases of unidentified human remains, missing persons and violent crimes. It supports upload of SNP reports (kits) that WGS, microarrays and targeted sequencing generate, enabling comparisons against profiles voluntarily shared in GEDmatch. Meet the community of law enforcement professionals, genetic genealogists and forensic scientists using GEDmatch PRO.
FIGG webinars for law enforcement professionals
This 5-part webinar series is brought to you by QIAGEN HID, and the steward of GEDmatch and GEDmatch PRO.
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) epitomizes the impact of next-generation sequencing on the way DNA is utilized in law enforcement investigations. More than a thousand cold cases have been resolved since 2018 with the power of FIGG. Law enforcement professionals now have access to resources and strategies to make FIGG routine, cost-effective and sustainable.
Follow this webinar series to learn about:
- Optimizing your relationship with other forensic specialists
- Working with forensic programs at universities
- Communicating the impact of FIGG to your leadership
- Success stories and accessing both public and private funding sources
- Genealogical research principles, toolsets and best practices
This 5-part webinar series is brought to you by QIAGEN HID, and the steward of GEDmatch and GEDmatch PRO. A certificate will be awarded to attendees who complete all 6 parts.