DNA in Genealogy:
Testing, Tools and Techniques
Feb. 8 – March 15, 2021
Classes Monday, 10:30 a.m. – noon
Free Six-Part Series
The Office of Senior and Social Services (OSSS) is pleased to bring this series to Bernalillo County residents. The meeting will open up five minutes prior to start time so individuals may enter and be ready to begin at 10:30 a.m. Classes are recorded for playback.
Forensic DNA - March 15, 2021
DNA has been used to help solve crimes since 1986. This class will discuss the history of the use of DNA in forensic investigations, its development and the current use of Genetic Genealogy to help solve crimes.
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About the Presenters
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Martin Brady grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He obtained a B.S. degree in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1975 and then worked as a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh. Marty was a co-recipient of the Frank R Blood Award which was awarded for an outstanding paper published from that research. Marty received a M.S. degree in Forensic Chemistry in 1980 from the University of Pittsburgh.
In September 1980, Marty took a position with the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) Criminalistics unit. He worked as a Criminalist for four years and then for seven years as the Criminalistics Supervisor in charge of the chemists and biologists in the forensic lab. Marty was instrumental in getting the DNA lab established at APD in 1989. APD had the first forensic DNA lab in New Mexico.
In 1991, Marty accepted the position of Assistant Director of Toxicology at S.E.D. Medical Laboratories. In 1995, Marty was promoted to Director of Toxicology at S.E.D., a position he held until 2012 when S.E.D. was sold. Marty finished out his career as the Chemistry Supervisor at the DPS Forensic lab in Santa Fe. He began genealogical research in June 2016 to prepare for a trip to Ireland. He retired at the end of 2017 and has been involved with the Albuquerque Genealogical Society (AGS) ever since. He is currently the immediate past president of AGS.
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Philip Spivey holds an MBA degree in International Management from Thunderbird. After more than 30 years in media, marketing and international business, he is now semi-retired and focusing on his passion for genealogy. His interest in genealogy began with a search for his biological father. With nothing to go on but a DNA test, he spent the next two years learning all he could about genealogy and DNA. The work paid off when he finally discovered the identity of his biological father. This discovery also led to a lasting addiction to genealogy and helping others build their family history skills.
His educational background in genealogy includes a Genealogical Research Certificate from Boston University, a Certificate in Irish Genealogy from University College Cork in Cork, Ireland. He has attended numerous conferences, courses and seminars, including the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and is currently pursuing certification with the Board for Certification of Genealogists. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society, the Association of Professional Genealogists and several state and local societies, including the Albuquerque Genealogical Society and the New Mexico Genealogical Society. He is the current President of the Albuquerque Genealogical Society.
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Forensic DNA - Handouts, Part One
By Martin Brady
The goal of forensic DNA analysis is to differentiate people and the goal of genealogical DNA analysis is to group people into families. But in recent years genealogical DNA analysis has been used as an investigative aid in conjunction with traditional forensic DNA analysis. So, Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) can be used to group a culprit’s DNA with a family which provides leads that law enforcement can then use to identify the culprit using traditional forensic DNA analysis. Before we talk about FGG, let’s look at the history of the use of biological markers for forensic purposes.
The ABO blood group system was one of the first biological markers used in forensic analysis. Part of the problem with the ABO system is that it is not very discriminating. Other blood group systems have also been used (i.e., Lewis, MN, etc.). The next big step was the analysis of polymorphic enzyme systems (i.e., PGM, ADA, AK, etc.). These systems offered improvements in discriminating power, but DNA analysis offers the greatest ability to identify the culprit.
Forensic Analysis is complicated by a number of factors, such as degradation, admixture (a mixture of more than one person’s DNA) and contamination. Analysis has, at times, been complicated by chimeras (i.e. people with different DNA in different cells such as Andrei Chikatilo). It can be necessary to differentiate identical twins (possibly using epigenetics). Cases have been solved with the use of DNA familial searches. Next Generation Sequencing technology is beginning to be used/explored for forensic work. NGS may help with the analysis of degraded DNA (such as exists in hair shafts). Research work is being done to expand the use of DNA analysis to determine physical characteristics of suspects (i.e, eye color).
Investigative leads using Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) aka Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) have recently been used to solve many cold cases and Philip can explain that process.
Definitions:
Epigenetics - the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself.
Abbreviations:
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AMP-FLP – Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism; CoDIS – Combined DNA Index System;
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NGS – Next Generation Sequencing aka Massively Parallel Sequencing (MPS) of 2nd generation sequencing; PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction; RFLP- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism;
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STR – Short Tandem Repeat; VNTR – Variable Number Tandem Repeats
Websites:
Videos:
Books:
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The Blooding by Joseph Wambaugh
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Convicted by Juries Exonerated by Science: Case Studies in the Use of DNA Evidence to Establish Innocence After Trial; published by the Department of Justice 1996
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Forensic Genealogy by Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD and Andrew Yeiser
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Fundamentals of Forensic DNA Typing by John M. Butler
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Advanced Topics in Forensic DNA Typing: Methodology by John M. Butler
Part Two
By Philip Spivey
Forensic genealogy is a term used particularly in the US to describe genealogical research, analysis and reporting in cases with legal implications, often involving living individuals. Forensic genealogists may be called upon to appear in court to provide expert testimony, and typically furnish affidavits and research reports to their clients that adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard established by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. (Source: "Ramage, Michael S. (2018). "Chapter 15: Forensic Specialization". in Shown Mills, Elizabeth. Professional Genealogy, Preparation, Practice & Standards. Genealogical Publishing Co. p. 337.)
Investigative genetic genealogy is the science of using genetic and genealogical methods to generate leads for law enforcement entities investigating crimes and identifying human remains.
Supplemental reading:
- Kennett D. Forensic Science International, Volume 299, June 2019, Pages 103-113. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073819301264
- McDermott M. Investigative genetic genealogy: how does it work?. Genealogy Explained, 14 July 2020.
- Molteni, Megan (24 April 2019). "What the Golden State Killer tells us about forensic genetics". Wired. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 25 April 2019.
- Greytak, Ellen M.; Moore, CeCe; Armentrout, Steven L. (2019). "Genetic genealogy for cold case and active investigations". Forensic Science International 299: 103–113.
- "Ramage, Michael S. (2018). "Chapter 15: Forensic Specialization". in Shown Mills, Elizabeth. Professional Genealogy, Preparation, Practice & Standards. Genealogical Publishing Co. p. 337.
- Petrone J. Forensic genomics market advances due to consumer databases, technology innovation. Genome Web, 9 January 2020.
Recent Examples of Investigative Genetic Genealogy in use:
This series will use webinar settings in Zoom which disables audio and video of the registrants, but can enable for questions when needed. All registrants are sent a reminder email an hour before each class with the link to join and the password.
If you have specific questions for the class, please email BCOSSS@bernco.gov attn: Veronica Cordova, Subject: DNA Question.
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