Bridging Disciplines to Form a New One: The Emergence of Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Glynn, Claire L.

doi:10.3390/genes13081381

Cited by 36 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…IGG relies on a combination of publicly accessible records and the consent of individuals who have uploaded their genetic genealogy DNA profiles to genetic genealogy databases [ 92 ]. Multiple reviews and research articles have been published describing current IGG methods, knowledge, and practice along with the effectiveness and operational limits of the technique [ 17 , 30 , [93] , [94] , [95] , [96] , [97] ]. IGG works best with high-quality, single-source DNA samples.…”

Section: Advancements In Current Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The four main direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic genealogy companies, 23andMe (Mountain View, CA), Ancestry (Salt Lake City, UT), FamilyTree DNA (Houston, TX), and My Heritage (Lehi, UT), have DNA data from over 41 million individuals 36 as of July 2022 [ 97 ]. Individuals can upload their DTC data to GEDmatch, which is a DNA comparison and analysis website launched in 2010 and purchased in 2019 by Verogen (San Diego, CA).…”

Section: Advancements In Current Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019–2022

Butler

2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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Section: Advancements In Current Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Advancements In Current Practicesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019–2022

Butler

2023

Forensic Science International: Synergy

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“…Early indications were that law enforcement access to genealogical databases to search for criminal suspects would receive high levels of support from the general public (Guerrini et al, 2018), as well from professional and public stakeholders (Samuel and Kennett, 2020b). However, there has been a significant decrease in the number of profiles available following a change in the terms and conditions of GEDmatch, which implied that each participant had to consent voluntarily to make their DNA profile available for law enforcement searches (Katsanis, 2020;Glynn, 2022). According to Glynn (2022), GEDmatch currently holds approximately 1.8 million kits, with more than 500,000 opted-in for law enforcement comparisons.…”

Section: The Challenges Of Forensic Genetic Genealogymentioning

confidence: 99%

Citizen science at the roots and as the future of forensic genetic genealogy

Granja

2023

International Journal of Police Science & Management

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Forensic genetic genealogy is an emergent forensic technology that employs databases used by citizens to upload genetic data voluntarily to search for criminal suspects and/or unidentified individuals. Considering a wide view of the roots of forensic genetic genealogy, in this article, I draw on publicly available interviews with key stakeholders in the field, media articles, and companies’ statements to analyze how this technology is both grounded and based upon citizen science. That is, a type of science to which citizens actively, voluntarily, and consentingly contribute in various forms. On the one hand, I show how the emergence of forensic genetic genealogy is mainly based upon the work of individuals with a personal interest in genetic genealogy, who are heavily invested in constructing their own and others’ family trees. That is, citizens from various educational backgrounds and professional activities who became an untapped source of valuable expertise for forensic science because of their prolific experience in conducting genetic genealogy. On the other hand, I argue that the current situation of forensic genetic genealogy is also highly dependent on citizens’ interest and willingness to upload genetic data into publicly accessible genealogy databases and voluntarily deciding to make them available to law enforcement searches. Perceiving citizen science as being at the roots and as the future of forensic genetic genealogy has important implications for the forensic epistemic culture and the protection of citizens’ rights that must be considered in the development and implementation of such technology.

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“…16 While FGG methodology is not currently held to the same forensic standards as other forensic DNA analyses, proper characterization and validation is critical to ensure the accuracy and utility of profiles generated for FGG investigations. 19 Available performance data for the Kintelligence method includes the developmental validation of the MiSeq FGx™ Forensic Genomics System, 20 which encompasses the ForenSeq™ library preparation method, MiSeq FGx™ sequencing, and the ForenSeq™ Universal Analysis Software methods that are the backbone of the Kintelligence kit, and a manufacturer datasheet and application notes. [21][22][23] In accordance with the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) Validation Guidelines for DNA Analysis Methods, 24 we performed an internal validation of the Kintelligence kit, taking into consideration NGS-specific criteria.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Internal Validation of the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit for Application to Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Peck

Koeppel

Gorden

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) requires high density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) profiles to infer distant relationships. The ForenSeq Kintelligence kit is a recently developed method targeting approximately 10,000 SNPs that were selected to be compatible with genetic genealogy databases, while avoiding medically relevant SNPs. The targeted PCR method is ideal for low input and degraded samples, which are particularly challenging for microarray analysis. We made modifications to library preparation and sample pooling to further enhance the performance of low input samples. To align this FGG method with forensic laboratory standards, we performed an internal validation study in accordance with the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods Validation Guidelines for DNA Analysis Methods. The sensitivity and precision and accuracy studies produced accurate and reliable profiles down to 0.05 ng of DNA. The mixture and contamination studies demonstrated that the method could detect the presence of a minor contributor down to 0.02 ng, while system wide contamination was negligible. Nonprobative bone, fired shell casing, and adhesive tape samples performed well with inputs ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 ng of DNA. A bone with a high degradation index and tested at 0.1 ng DNA input resulted in a call rate of 92.9% and a heterozygosity rate of 0.387. We demonstrated the importance of both call rate and heterozygosity rate to assess profile performance. Validating FGG methods is critical to ensuring the reliability and utility of SNP profiles that will be uploaded to genetic genealogy databases for the purpose of generating investigative leads.

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Bridging Disciplines to Form a New One: The Emergence of Forensic Genetic Genealogy

Cited by 36 publications

References 17 publications

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019–2022

Recent advances in forensic biology and forensic DNA typing: INTERPOL review 2019–2022

Citizen science at the roots and as the future of forensic genetic genealogy

Internal Validation of the ForenSeq Kintelligence Kit for Application to Forensic Genetic Genealogy

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