Genetic Justice: Solving Cold Cases with DNA & Genealogy

Join us on Friday 25th April (International DNA Day) for our Annual DNA Symposium and learn how cutting-edge DNA technology & Genealogy is used to solve Cold Cases of Violent Crimes & Unidentified Human Remains.

Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) has revolutionized the use of DNA in criminal investigations since 2018, when it was announced that the decades-long mystery of the Golden State Killer, one of America's most notorious criminals, was finally solved using this powerful new investigative tool. Since then, FIGG has generated investigative leads in at least 1,200 investigations across the United States, and is growing internationally.

During this symposium:

• Anne Marie Schubert, the lead prosecutor in the Golden State Killer case, will delve deep into the complexities of this investigation and how FIGG was applied, leading to the arrest and conviction of Joseph DeAngelo Jr, who evaded capture for over 43 years.
• John F. Fahey, Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney (Connecticut), will discuss the work of the state's Cold Case Unit, how advances in DNA technology are now re-opening cold cases investigations, and how FIGG was used to identify and convict the perpetrator of a series of sexual assaults in Connecticut from the 1980s.
• Karen L. Ross, Chief - Cold Case Unit, Deputy Chief - Homicide Bureau, Queens County District Attorney's Office, and Lisa Mertz, Assistant Director, New York City, Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME), will discuss their collaborative efforts and successful partnership between the Queen's District Attorney's Office and the OCME to successfully solve cold cases, including the challenges faced with applying FIGG to older evidence samples and how to overcome them. They will also discuss the first arrest and prosecution of a FIGG case in New York City, 45 years after the crime was committed.
• Claire Glynn, Founding Director of FIGG at the University of New Haven, will explore the power of forensic science and its ability to bring justice to victims and their families. She will also discuss how the public can help investigators solve cases by contributing their DNA to the genetic genealogy databases used in FIGG investigations, e.g., GEDmatch.

The symposium will conclude with a panel discussion and audience Q&A on the use of advanced DNA methods in criminal investigations.

The symposium will also include a DNA Drive, where registered attendees will have the opportunity to take a free consumer DNA test (e.g., AncestryDNA (usual retail cost $99)), if they wish to, and will learn how to upload their DNA data to GEDmatch to help solve violent crimes and unidentified persons cases.

This symposium is in person only. There is no virtual option to attend.

The symposium will be held in Bucknall/Dodds Theater, on the grounds of the University of New Haven, located at 300 Boston Post Rd, West Haven, CT 06516. Parking instructions will be emailed to all registered attendees 24 hours before the event.

Certificates of Attendance will be emailed to registered attendees (must check-in at registration) within one week after the event.

For government agencies who wish to purchase tickets via a purchase order, please email our office administrator, Tianyin Yu, at [email protected], to request a purchase order, with the names and email addresses of the attendees.

To learn about the Online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) at the University of New Haven, click this link: Online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) - University of New Haven

Host or Publisher Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science