The Power of DNA in Unlocking Family Relationships

Investigative, or Forensic, Genetic Genealogy (I/FGG) is the relatively recent application of traditional genetic genealogy skills, tools, and resources with the objective to assist Law Enforcement agencies in identifying unidentified human remains or suspects of violent crimes, among other cases. With this introduction, we will learn how I/FGG started, how it works, how is it different from traditional Forensic DNA Typing, and other traditional genealogical and genetic investigations used in criminal justice, and what changes are in place to ensure that I/FGG can be done safely, ethically, legally, and without compromising the privacy and integrity of the genetic genealogical community.

From the former Genographic Project, to 23andMe, autosomal DNA testing companies have added a feature to the DNA results they provide to their customers: what percentage of Neanderthal DNA you carry. This might sound like science fiction to some. How do scientist know what Neanderthal DNA looks like? How are…

This is a review of nearly 20 years of research work about Joseph Smith Jr. and his family using DNA tools.

All of us are aware that DNA testing is a formidable tool to address paternity cases. However, when talking about paternity testing, the subjects tested are all alive and willing to provide a DNA sample. The normal procedure involves testing the alleged father, the mother and the child. However, what…

This presentation will focus on genetic markers that are typical of Native American populations and how they can be used to discover your personal Native American ancestry, even in the absence of written genealogical records.

Hundreds of thousands of genetic profiles for family history and ancestral purposes have been generated by private laboratories, universities, and the National Geographic's Genographic Project during the past fifteen years. However, many individuals that had their DNA tested were somewhat disappointed, as the information provided by many laboratories is often...

After the male-inherited Y chromosome (Ycs) and the maternal mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), autosomal DNA testing offers many insights into a person's past and how he/she might be related to other people. While Ycs and mtDNA are limited to the two outermost lineages in the pedigree chart, autosomal DNA offers a…

Among the tens of thousands of individuals that have already experienced the novelty of genetic testing for ancestral or genealogical purposes, many are still wondering about the real benefits that such testing may bring to their family history repertoire. Few individuals may have given in to pressure by others, or…