1) What is GEDmatch?
Founded in 2010 by Curtis Rogers and John Olson and purchased by Verogen in 2019, GEDmatch is a free website for genetic genealogy research where individuals can upload their previously created DNA file from any direct-to-consumer platform, such as 23andMe or Ancestry. From there, users can analyze their new genealogical results using GEDmatch’s global aggregated data with higher potential for matches than with a single platform. Just like on the single platforms, users can build family trees and connect with previously unknown relatives. GEDmatch’s goal is to make this data accessible and effective for users while maintaining users’ privacy and security.
More information on GEDmatch
2) What is GEDmatch PRO™?
GEDmatch PRO™ is one of the largest portals available to law enforcement for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). It is designed to support police and forensic teams with investigative comparisons to GEDmatch data. Only GEDmatch users that are part of the Genetic Witness Program have data available for comparison for the purpose of identifying perpetrators of violent crimes. The PRO portal separates police comparisons of GEDmatch data from standard genealogy activities and offers a range of tools to help further investigations. Users are able to upload SNP genotype data from their evidence sample for comparisons and further their investigation. 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 via GEDmatch PRO™
More information on GEDmatchPRO™
3) What is the Genetic Witness Program?
GEDmatch users can choose to opt in to the Genetic Witness Program. The information they choose is then shared with the GEDmatch PRO™ portal enabling law enforcement to solve violent crimes and exonerate the falsely accused when there has been a match with a genetic relative. Relatives may be contacted by law enforcement if their DNA could help guide investigators. Since 2018, GEDmatch Genetic Witnesses have contributed to the successful resolution of hundreds of investigations.
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4) Can anyone become a GEDmatch PRO user?
No.
All users are verified and approved by GEDmatch and Verogen. Those who are members of law enforcement, forensic labs, or genetic genealogists working to solve violent crimes and identify missing persons are asked to create their accounts using their work email address.
Genealogists must be working with law enforcement or a forensic lab to be given access to a DNA profile within a GEDmatch PRO Project.
Sign up here