Workshop
Sherlock in Your Homes: Solve a Crime with IGG Workshop
Sunday October 30th, 2022 // 8:30 am - 5:00 pm // Annapolis 1-2
Description:
This interactive workshop instructs attendees on how to use crime scene evidence, investigative leads, and DNA profiles to solve a simulated crime using Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). A cross-disciplinary panel of IGG experts and law enforcement personnel will share a GEDmatch profile to work hands-on with attendees as they walk through various stages of the IGG investigation to identify the “perpetrator” of the crime. Attendees should have some knowledge of genetic genealogy and the basics of genealogical research. Attendees must bring a laptop and have at least an Ancestry free trial subscription to fully benefit from this hands-on IGG experience.
Learning Outcomes:
- An understanding of the options available to investigators in considering IGG for a case
- Hand-on experience with the most common genealogical tools
- An awareness of common challenges encountered in applying IGG
- A comprehensive list of public records and websites that aid in the IGG process
- Knowledge of the available genetic genealogy databases and how to use them
- An understanding of standard genetic genealogy methodology
Intended Audience:
- Forensic scientists
- DNA analysts
- Criminalists
- Crime investigators
- Genetic Genealogists
Agenda:
8:30 – 8:45am | Colleen Fitzpatrick | Introduction to panel members and to the structure of the workshop |
8:45 – 9:15am | Jason Moran | Law enforcement professionals’ considerations and expectations in IGG case |
9:15 – 9:45am | Claire Glynn | The role of a forensic laboratory and best practices when handling DNA evidence for IGG cases |
9:45 – 10:15am | Colleen Fitzpatrick | Introduction to plan for workshop – how to prepare and what needs to be ready |
10:15 – 10:30am | BREAK | |
10:30am – 11:30am | Linda Doyle | Intro to GEDmatch tools |
11:30am – 12:00pm | Colleen Fitzpatrick | Case background and what to expect in the afternoon |
12:00 – 1:00pm | LUNCH | |
1:00 – 4:30pm | Colleen Fitzpatrick and Panel Members | Step by step instruction leading to the identification of the “perp”, interspersed where relevant with case studies illustrating various IGG methodologies that were used to solve a crime |
4:30 – 5:00pm | All Panel Members | Discussion: caveats and complexities; Q&A |
Speakers

Colleen FitzpatrickChair
President and Founder of Identifinders International
Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD, the President and Founder of Identifinders International LLC, is widely recognized as the founder of modern Forensic Genealogy. She has worked several hundred cold case violent crimes and Doe cases using genetic genealogy analysis
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Private: Linda Doyle
Genealogist, LDF Research
Linda Doyle is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, with over a decade of research experience. Specializing in Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), reuniting hundreds of adoptees and those of unknown parentage with their biological families. Through LDF Research, Linda provides FGG services for Law Enforcement, ensuring science serves justice.
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Dr. Claire Glynn
Associate Professor, University of New Haven
Dr. Glynn, who joined the University of New Haven in 2014, teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in forensic science, focused on forensic biology, forensic DNA analysis, and forensic/investigative genetic genealogy (F/IGG). Her research interests are focused F/IGG, and a broad range of applications for this novel investigatory tool. This includes investigating the effects of degraded samples and novel technologies, establishing best practices, the international feasibility of this tool, historical applications, and ethical considerations, to name just a few. Her other research interests include Rapid DNA analysis, RNA (mRNA and miRNA) analysis, Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) applications, and DNA Methylation markers.
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