Getting the Conclusive Lead with Investigative Genetic Genealogy – A Successful Case Study of a 16 Year Old Double Homicide in Sweden

Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) has emerged as a new forensic tool in order to get leads in cold criminal investigations and in cases of missing person identification. Although IGG has shown to give conclusive information in a number of high profile cases, its usage has raised a number of ethical, legal and technical concerns. In order to evaluate its suitability and examine its compliance with current Swedish laws, a pilot study was initiated in Sweden. A cold case, a 16 year old double homicide, was selected and samples from the crime scene were analyzed. Genome wide SNP profiles were established using whole-genome sequencing and dedicated bioinformatics, with a forensic focus. Searches for relatives were performed in the GEDmatch and the FamilyTree DNA databases which rendered hit lists that were further processed using traditional genealogy methods, ultimately resulting in candidate individuals. In this presentation we will briefly describe the work performed and experiences gained from this case. This will include legal aspects, DNA analysis methods and genealogy work, all from a law enforcement point of view.

Speakers

Private: Siri Fagerholm

Forensic Expert, Biology Unit, Swedish National Forensic Centre

Siri A. Fagerholm, PhD, is a forensic expert and reporting officer at the Biology unit of the Swedish National Forensic Centre (NFC) where she works with biological traces from crime scenes and DNA analysis.

Submit Questions

Private: Andreas Tillmar

Associate Professor of Forensic Genetics, Linköping University, Sweden

Andreas Tillmar, PhD, works as a forensic geneticist at the Nation Board of Forensic Medicine, Sweden (80%) and as a senior lecturer and associated professor of forensic genetics at Linköping University, Sweden (20%). He is well experienced from working over 15 years in the field.