In an effort to advance progress on cold cases, the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office is encouraging public participation in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). Through a recent social media post, the agency invited individuals to voluntarily submit their DNA data to help identify human remains, locate missing persons, and resolve long-standing unsolved cases.
As outlined by the Sheriff’s Office, the effectiveness of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) increases with the volume of DNA data available. DNA from consumer testing services can play a key role in helping to solve cold cases. To participate, individuals must first complete a DNA test through providers such as Ancestry.com, FamilyTreeDNA.com, or MyHeritage.com. After receiving results, participants can upload their genetic profiles to databases accessible to law enforcement. While the initiative offers potential benefits in solving cases, some members of the community have expressed concerns about privacy related to sharing genetic information.
To facilitate the process, the Calaveras County Sheriff's Office has listed several resources. Websites such as DNA Justice would allow contributors to upload their DNA data files, and FamilyTreeDNA.com even includes an "OPT IN" feature for law enforcement access. A special emphasis was put on GEDmatch.com due to its unique upload policy, which may not require opting in, although users are advised to double-check their settings.
An optional yet potent step suggested by the Sheriff's Office is the creation of a public family tree on genealogy sites. This move can immensely aid genealogists in connecting DNA matches to familial lineage, bolstering the overall effectiveness of their investigations. They've even partnered with DNA Justice to offer additional information and direct responses to queries at [email protected].
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office is calling on the community to participate in the effort and to encourage others to consider contributing as well. Acknowledging that DNA sharing is a personal decision, the agency advises individuals to carefully review the Terms of Service on any genealogy platform and to proceed only if they are comfortable. For those with information related to cold case homicides or missing persons, the Sheriff’s Office has provided multiple contact options, including a main phone line, an anonymous tip line, and a dedicated email for the Calaveras Cold Case Task Force.
