IGG in the trenches: Results of an in-depth interview study on the practice, politics, and future of investigative genetic genealogy.

Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) is a new technique for identifying criminal suspects and unidentified deceased and living persons that has sparked controversy. In a criminal case, the technique involves uploading genetic information left by a putative perpetrator at the crime scene to one or more direct-to-consumer genetic genealogy databases with the intention of identifying the perpetrator's genetic relatives and, eventually, locating the perpetrator on the family tree. In 2018, IGG helped to identify the Golden State Killer, and it has since been used in hundreds of investigations in the United States. Here, we report findings from in-depth interviews with 24 U.S.-based individuals involved in IGG that are relevant to the technique's current practice and predicted future. Key findings include: an emphasis on restricting IGG as a conceptual and technical matter to lead generation; the rapid growth of a private and largely self-regulating industry to support IGG; general recognition of three categories of cases associated with distinct practical, ethical, and policy questions, as well as varying degrees of controversy; and the significant influence of perceived public opinion on IGG practice. The experiences and perspectives of individuals in the IGG trenches related to these and other issues are potentially useful inputs to ongoing efforts to regulate the technique.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interests C.J.G. and S.M.F. are members of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Working Group of the Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods. A.L.M. is a former member of the FamilyTreeDNA Citizen’s Panel. C.J.G. is a member of the Policy and Practice Subcommittee of the National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy Technical Validation Working Group. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board.
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