Since gaining international attention in 2018 with the arrest of the Golden State Killer, forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) has helped to solve thousands of tough cases. When traditional DNA database searching isn’t yielding results for your violent crime or unidentified human remains, FIGG might be the answer.
FIGG combines advanced DNA testing with genealogical research and often leads to the identification of genetic candidates or person(s) of interest. How do you get started?
Determine if your case is eligible.
- Is it an unsolved violent crime or unidentified human remains?
- Did you get a negative STR CODIS search?
- If your state requires a familial search via CODIS, has it been done already?
- Are you aware of funding opportunities for SNP DNA analysis?
If you answered yes to all the above questions, your case is likely eligible for FIGG.
Consult and Communicate
- Consult with the FIGG provider of your choice to determine if you have enough DNA left
- Talk with your prosecutor for approval to move forward with FIGG
Submit your case (and DNA evidence) for analysis
- Send your DNA evidence to a forensic investigative genetic genealogy lab, like Bode Technology, for SNP file generation and analysis
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- Why is this necessary? Traditional STR DNA profiles do not contain the right type of data to conduct a FIGG search. Instead, DNA from the original evidence material is used to generate a SNP profile which can then be used in a FIGG search.
Upload SNP File
- Upload your new SNP file to one of the two leading ancestry databases for law enforcement, GEDmatch PRO™ or FamilyTree DNA
Conduct family tree building
- Bode Technology or your agency’s on-staff professional genealogist will search through public records to build a family tree for any matches to your SNP file
Investigate leads
- Bode Technology will hand over any potential leads developed by family association, geographic locations, timing, and other factors
Obtain a DNA sample
- Collect DNA samples from any potential leads to help further your investigation
Confirm identities
- Compare the original crime scene DNA with the recently collected DNA to confirm the person of interest’s identity
If you need further guidance, the Department of Justice established an interim policy and Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis and Searching. It outlines best practices and eligibility. Check it out here.