The Idaho Student Homicides and the Future of Forensic Genetic Genealogy

• NCJ Number: 310061
• Journal: Forensic Genomics Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: 2023 Pages: 3-8
• Date Published: March 2023
• Author(s): Nicole M.M. Novroski
• Length: 5 pages
• Grant Number(s): 15PNIJ-21-GG-04143-MUMU
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)

Annotation

This article discusses forensic genetics with a specific examination of forensic tools that can be used to find relatives of unknown persons and forensic genealogy.

Abstract

In the article titled "The Idaho Student Homicides and the Future of Forensic Genetic Genealogy," Forensic Genomics Editor-in-Chief Nicole M.M. Novroski, Ph.D., from the University of Toronto, describes the gold standard in forensic genetics, which involves DNA typing of short tandem repeats (STRs), which are human genetic markers that exist throughout the genome and can be used for human identification. She also describes familial DNA searching, another forensic tool that may be used to find relatives of an unknown person by searching a database of DNA profiles. Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) is an emerging forensic tool being used to solve both active and cold (inactive) case investigations. FGG is the use of DNA analysis combined with traditional genealogy research to generate investigative leads for unsolved crimes. "I believe that we will continue to see an increase in solved case(s) and/or the development of additional investigative lead(s) because of genealogical use in both police and forensic casework," states Dr. Novroski. (Published Abstract Provided)