David is an investigative genetic genealogy expert and leader who is driven to expand the use of IGG to bring justice and answers to more victims and families. He has worked across every stage of the IGG pipeline: setting public policy, consulting with investigating agencies, navigating lab choices, training practitioners, conducting casework, addressing legal challenges, expanding databases, and bridging international borders. David is consulted by law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, wrongful convictions organizations, and legislators about implementing IGG.
As president of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board, David and his colleagues have developed professional and ethical standards for IGG practice, including an accreditation exam to credential proficient practitioners. In 2022, David founded the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center, where he served as director for four years. At the center, David was honored to lead a team that produced dozens of case resolutions, hundreds of trained IGG practitioners, and scholarship and outreach that has increased the power and uptake of IGG.
David earned his Juris Doctorate and PhD from the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, respectively, in 2016. After graduation, he worked as a wrongful conviction attorney before becoming a professor of law and society at Ramapo College, where he worked until summer 2026.
