On November 21, 2023, the National Technology Validation Collaborative Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Collaborative (NTVIC) Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) Policy and Procedure Committee published Guidelines for establishing FIGG programs in the Forensic Science International: Synergy journal [1]. This version was the second publication of FIGG draft policies and procedures, following feedback and revisions prompted by publication the first version of the document on February 15, 2023 [2]. The purpose of the document is to provide guidance towards establishing best practices for establishing programs and conducting FIGG, which can be applied at the discretion of FIGG responsible authorities. The scope of the document includes terminology and definitions, organizational approaches for establishing a FIGG program, and considerations for development of FIGG policy and procedures. These policy and procedures include case qualification and triaging, utilization of genetic genealogy databases, obtaining third-party DNA samples, obtaining putative perpetrator DNA reference samples, uses of certain genetic information and restrictions, privacy/protection of information, retention, release and expungement of information. FIGG education and training, Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), case reporting, oversight and potential metrics are also discussed. The oversight and use of best practices in the forensic science enterprise is very challenging, as outside of the FBI National DNA Index System (NDIS) infrastructure, there is no centralized organization mandating structure, organization and operation of forensic science service providers (FSSPs). Therefore, volunteer efforts such at the NTVIC have become established to coalescence forensic science service providers around resolving common issues and striving toward common goals. These common goals include validating new technology, establishing common model policies and procedures, and sharing training, to lift FSSPs together as a group toward higher implementation capability, while benefiting by group learning and information and expertise sharing. This presentation will include the most controversial or misunderstood FIGG related topics among those within the NTVIC guidance publication. Ethical, legal and practical implications of these topics will be discussed. The forensic profile is obtained from biological material discarded at the crime scene by the putative perpetrator. As these samples are abandoned there is no presumed right to privacy, and therefore it is available for extensive genetic investigation, well beyond entry into CODIS (Combined DNA Index System). In fact, with individuals committing these crimes still at large, it falls squarely upon law enforcement to interrogate forensic samples to solve crime. Sampling of individuals known to not have committed the crime and their subsequent indirect matching to the forensic profile in pursuit of potential biological relatives must be done with informed consent and respect, to establish and maintain trust in FSSPs and FIGG responsible authorities. Individuals may express their autonomy to assist law enforcement in solving crimes where the subject remains at large, potentially committing new crimes on new victims. As the unsolved crimes that are FIGG prime candidates are a major public safety issue, establishment of best practices and policy should be accomplished before the pressure of solving a high-profile major case commences. The NTVIC guidelines for establishing FIGG programs are a model for implementation of new technology. Forensic DNA scientists are at the forefront of solving crime with science. Developing, publishing and utilizing shared best practices enables all FSSPs to participate and benefit from joint initiative. The result is more efficient and effective application of forensic technology to solve crime. This presentation will provide an overview of the guidelines as the first of multiple new jointly developed policy and procedures, published in open-source journals, to support our scientists and their pursuit of crime solving excellence.
1. Ray A. Wickenheiser, Jennifer Naugle, Brian Hoey, Rylene Nowlin, Swathi A. Kumar, Mark A. Kubinski, Claire Glynn, Raymond Valerio, Lance Allen, Stephanie Stoiloff, Jennifer Kochanski, Christi Guerrini, Anne Marie Schubert, National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC): Guidelines for establishing Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) programs, Forensic Science International: Synergy, Volume 7, 2023, 100446, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100446 2. Ray A. Wickenheiser, Jennifer Naugle, Brian Hoey, Rylene Nowlin, Swathi A. Kumar, Alana Minton, Lance Allen, Claire Glynn, National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC) policies and procedures for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), Forensic Science International Synergy 6 (2023) 100316, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2023.100316
