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.
The presentation by Ray Wickenheiser and Claire Glynn at ISHI 35 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.
Can you give us a sneak peek into the main theme of your presentation and why it’s important for our audience?
Our presentation introduces the National Technology Validation Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC) and our published guidelines on implementing Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). It is critical for all new technologies to establish a framework of best practices, for those implementing them to adopt the most successful approaches, while at the same time avoiding potential pitfalls.
What inspired you to explore the topic of your presentation?
A group of us early into FIGG recognized not only the power of FIGG to solve our previously unsolved cases, but the need to put some guardrails in place to ensure its responsible use. With great power comes great responsibility, so we wanted to ensure FIGG is done right to earn and keep the public trust.
What’s one common misconception about your area of expertise you’d like to clarify?
A common misconception in FIGG is that we look at individual’s DNA coding outcomes including potentially very sensitive and revealing health determining data when comparing it to other profiles to find direct and indirect matches. Direct comparisons using CODIS only use the number of repeat areas (like a human serial number) and indirect comparison for FIGG use only the size of areas of regions in common between profiles (providing a single summary measurement), and therefore do not reveal any sensitive or compromising health information.
How do you hope your presentation will impact the audience or industry?
We hope this presentation provides the audience with useful best practices as well as the rationale behind why we recommend certain things should be done or avoided. Understanding the reasoning behind why guidelines are recommended helps forensic scientists approach each dynamic situation more confidently, leads to continuous improvement, and ever increased use of best practices that can be shared among our community.
Are there any resources or tools you recommend for those interested in learning more about your presentation topic?
It usually benefits an audience to know the topic of the speakers in advance, as they will get more out of the presentation. There is a free publication of the guidelines available at:
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
When you’re not working, what’s your favorite way to unwind or relax?
I like to fish and play ice hockey to blow off a little steam. It is hard to get worked up when your largest decision that day is what hook to use and which side of the boat to toss it out.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
A colleague many years back told me our duty to science was to not only try to do our best, use and develop improved and sound techniques, but to share when we had found an improvement. Sharing best practices and improvements may be a little extra effort, but it is fun and hugely rewarding when you see others take your approach and do even more with it.
If you could only eat one dish for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Sushi. That might be cheating a little because there is a lot of variety, presentations and toppings. Pizza is a close second.
What were you doing in 1989, when ISHI first started?
I was a Hair and Fiber Trace Evidence examiner in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Forensic Laboratory in Regina, Saskatchewan, holding the fort for other scientists while they trained in DNA, not so patiently waiting for my turn to learn the great new DNA technique of RFLP.
Can you share a memorable moment from ISHI that has stayed with you?
My first ISHI meeting was in Orlando in 1999. After a riveting and emotional presentation from sexual assault survivor and victims’ rights pioneer Debbie Smith, I happened to find myself next to her and her husband Rob in line for a lunch buffet. I told her how motivating It was for us to hear her story and she was very pleased to hear that she was able to make a difference to bring some positive from what was a very traumatic event for her and her family.
