Events

Virtual DOJ-BJA Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training

March 30 - April 1, 2022

RTI International, on behalf of the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), is hosting a virtual training on Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) on Wednesday, March 30th through Friday, April 1st, 2022. This 3-day training will provide an opportunity for jurisdictions to discuss best practices, identify approaches to common challenges, and collaborate with partners to further the successful implementation of FGG into their investigative workflows.

Course highlights include:

  • An overview of the entire FGG process from case selection through prosecution
  • A session on tree building led by the FBI's Investigative Genealogy Team
  • Demonstrations of applicable tools in GEDmatch PRO™ and FTDNA
  • A discussion on prosecutorial considerations
  • A Q&A panel with forensic laboratory experts

This training will be archived for on demand viewing by those who are unable to attend the live event, however, due to law enforcement sensitivities, those sessions presented by the FBI will not be recorded, nor will the presentations be archived. The FBI, in conjunction with BJA and SAKI TTA, will be hosting a one-day webinar annually to ensure BJA grantees continue to have access to this information. Please contact the SAKI TTA Team with any questions.

Certificates of completion will be distributed to those in attendance all 3 days.

Registration for this event is now closed. Approved attendees will receive unique Zoom links via email to access the event.

Training Agenda

All times listed are in Eastern Daylight Time.

Wednesday, March 30 | 11:00 am–5:00 pm

11:00–11:15
Welcome & Introduction
Presenters:
Dr. Angela Williamson, Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA)
Ashley Rodriguez, RTI International
11:15–12:45
Case Identification and Selection
Presenters:
Lt. Trampas Gooding, Texas Department of Public Safety
Mary Weston, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office
12:45–1:30 Lunch Break
1:30–3:00
DNA Technologies, Laboratory Processes, and Considerations for Choosing Vendors
Presenters:
Rachel Oefelein, DNA Labs International
Teresa Vreeland, Bode Technology
Andrew Singer, Othram Inc.
Cesar Tirado, Maricopa County Attorney's Office
Q&A Panel:
Dr. Ellen Greytak, Parabon NanoLabs
Dr. James Anstead, DNA Solutions
Lisa Kalisek, Gene by Gene
3:00–3:10 Break
3:10–4:10
Genealogy Overview
Presenter:
Misty Gillis, Independent Consultant
4:10–4:55
The Role of Advocacy in FGG Cases
Presenters:
Amy Durall, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
Ryan Backmann, Project: Cold Case
4:55–5:00
Closing

Thursday, March 31 | 11:00 am–3:15 pm

11:00–11:05
Welcome for Day 2
11:05–11:30
NamUs Resources
Presenters:
Chuck Heurich, National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
Dr. Heather McKiernan, RTI International
11:30–11:40
FBI Genealogy Program
Presenter:
Special Agent (SA) Mark James, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
11:40–12:30
Demonstration of GEDmatch PRO™ and FTDNA Tools
Presenter:
SA Amy Whitman, FBI
12:30–1:15 Lunch Break
1:15–1:45
Match Resolution
Presenter:
Staff Operations Specialist (SOS) Stephanie Mellinger, FBI
1:45–2:15
Match Interpretation
Presenter:
SA Mark James, FBI
2:15–2:40
Tree Building
Presenter:
SOS Stephanie Mellinger, FBI
2:40–3:10
Reference Testing
Presenter:
SA Sean Regan, FBI
3:10–3:15
Closing

Friday, April 1 | 11:00 am–4:45 pm

11:00–11:05
Welcome for Day 3
11:05–12:00
FGG as an Investigative Lead
Presenters:
Sarah Savicki, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
Det. Carol Owens, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department
12:00–12:15
Victim or Subject Identification
Presenter:
SA Mark James, FBI
12:15–1:00 Lunch Break
1:00–2:00
Surreptitious Collections, Legal Considerations and Misconceptions of FGG
Presenter:
SA Jon Habben, FBI
2:00–2:10 Break
2:10–4:10
Prosecution
Presenters:
Jessica Smith, Commonwealth's Attorney's Office (Alexandria, Virginia)
Patti Powers, AEquitas
4:10–4:40
Case Presentation
Presenter:
SA Mark James, FBI
4:40–4:45
Closing
Presenter:
Dr. Angela Williamson, BJA
View Speaker Bios
Download Event Agenda

Contact SAKI TTA

Do you need any assistance with technical issues? Let us help you.

Contact the SAKI help desk at sakitta@rti.org.

The SAKI TTA Team, led by RTI International, received funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to support other violent cold case crimes including homicides, attempted homicides, kidnappings, and missing and unidentified persons associated with suspicious circumstances. This focus area is designed to help SAKI sites to expand their efforts to combat additional violent cold case crimes and identify serial offenders through the application of advanced forensic and investigative techniques.

For questions related to SAKI TTA's Other Violent Cold Case Crimes focus area, please contact Ashley Rodriguez (ashleyrodriguez@rti.org).