Solving a 95-Year-Old Mystery: How Forensic Genetic Genealogy Identified the Sandy Point Man
How do you identify someone who went missing nearly a century ago? At #ISHI35, Dadna Hartman, forensic scientist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, shared the remarkable case of the Sandy Point Man—a set of unidentified human remains discovered underwater in Australia in 2017. Through forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), her team was able […]
A Virtual Global Team Solving Cold Cases with Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy
What if forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) could work across time zones—solving cases 24/7? At ISHI 35, Runa Daniel shared the groundbreaking work of the first-ever Virtual International FIGG Team, developed in partnership with the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Australian Federal Police. This global network of forensic scientists, law enforcement, and intelligence […]
Building the Framework: Strategic Planning for Investigative Genetic Genealogy Teams
Written by Cairenn Binder, Assistant Director, IGG Center and the Director of the IGG Certificate Program. Reposted from the ISHI Report with permission. The field of investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is experiencing a period of rapid growth and development, with some public laboratories and law enforcement agencies choosing to bring IGG work in-house in order […]
Funding Justice: How Season of Justice is Helping Solve Cold Cases with Advanced DNA Testing
What happens when investigators know DNA testing could solve a case—but the budget won’t allow it? That’s where Season of Justice steps in. At ISHI 35, Kendall Mills, Executive Director of Season of Justice, shared how this nonprofit is bridging the funding gap for cold case DNA testing. With 218 cases funded since 2020, they’re […]
No Longer Unidentified: How Forensic Science is Solving Australia’s Toughest Missing Persons Cases
How do you identify human remains and reunite families with their loved ones? At #ISHI35, Kelly Grisedale from the Australian Federal Police shared the groundbreaking work of the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons. In this interview, Kelly discusses: 🔬 How her team resolved over 50 missing persons cases in just two years […]
Investigative Genetic Genealogy: Breaking Barriers and Solving Cold Cases
How is investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) transforming forensic science and solving cold cases? At #ISHI35, Ahana Chatterjee sat down with David Gurney and Cairenn Binder from Ramapo College’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center to discuss IGG’s impact, challenges, and future. In this engaging interview, discover: 🔬 How IGG is being used to identify perpetrators, exonerate the […]
Cracking Cold Cases with Investigative Genealogy: Innovation and Collaboration in Forensic Science
What happens when decades of forensic experience meet a relentless drive to advance the field? At ISHI 35, Ray Wickenheiser, retired Director of the New York State Police Crime Lab, reflects on his continued passion for forensic science and his work in solving cold cases with groundbreaking tools like forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), which […]
Solving a 50-Year Cold Case with Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy and Innovation
How do you bring justice to a case that has gone unsolved for nearly 50 years? At ISHI 35, Cristina Servidio from DNA Labs International shared the remarkable story of how forensic investigative genetic genealogy helped identify the Indianapolis Slasher after decades of mystery. In this fascinating interview, Cristina discusses:🔬 How her team used advanced […]
Ethics and Justice: Christi Guerrini on Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy’s Expanding Role
What are the ethical, legal, and social implications of using forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) in forensic science? At #ISHI35, Dr. Christi Guerrini, Associate Professor at Baylor College of Medicine, shared her insights on this transformative technique and its potential for justice and exoneration. In this fascinating interview, Dr. Guerrini discusses: 🔬 The ethical considerations […]