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• IGGA Spotlight: CODIS — Building a stronger understanding for IGG

  • When
    8 Sep 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Registration is closed

  
  

  About the Presentation
  

  While most IGG practitioners have a basic understanding of CODIS, this presentation will take a deeper look at the mechanics of the database and the rules governing its use. Participants will gain a better understanding of the questions to ask when fully vetting their hypotheses and how to verify what it means when they are told someone is “in CODIS.”

  About the Speaker
  Lesley Perry is the Unit Supervisor and Technical Manager of the CODIS Unit at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, where she has worked for more than 21 years. During her tenure, she pioneered the agency’s in-house investigative genetic genealogy program and serves as one of its in-house researchers.

  Lesley holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Dallas and a Master of Science from the University of Central Oklahoma. She also completed the Certificate in Genealogical Research program at Boston University. Most recently, she has served as a member of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Association Steering Committee.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation will be pre-recorded, followed by a live Q&A with Lesley Perry.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  
  

  Show details
• IGGA Insights: Are you a good match? Evaluating your readiness for emerging opportunities in IGG

  • When
    15 Sep 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  
  

  About the Presentation

  As Investigative Genetic Genealogy continues to grow, genealogists are finding new opportunities across public and private sectors. Using published recommendations for hiring qualified Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) practitioners, this presentation explores the knowledge, technical skills, ethical foundations, and professional competencies needed for success, helping attendees evaluate their readiness, identify areas for growth, and better understand their place in the evolving field.   Published Report with Recommendations

  About the Speaker
  

  Wendy McLean is a genealogist specializing in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) at the Center for Human Identification (CHI) UNT Health Fort Worth. CHI is the first publicly funded crime laboratory to perform both forensic genetic genealogy testing and investigative genetic genealogy in-house.

  She has collaborated on forensic casework with Bode Technology, Redgrave Research, the DNA Doe Project, and the Cold Case Coalition. Wendy also served as a Practitioner-in-Residence at the University of New Haven’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, contributing to the Graduate Certificate Program in Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Wendy holds a B.S. in Biology from Mississippi College and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy from the University of New Haven. She serves as Chair of NTVIC’s Public Entity Investigative Genetic Genealogist Subcommittee.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation is live and will not be recorded.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  Show details
• IGGA Connect: September Members-only Meetup

  • When
    23 Sep 2026
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  
  

  About This Meetup
  

  IGGA members come to investigative genetic genealogy through many professions, roles, and life experiences. This month’s conversation will explore how those different backgrounds shape the way we approach IGG, what each of us may be especially well positioned to see, what we may be more likely to miss, and what helps people work and learn effectively across differences.
  
  What to Expect

  Each IGGA Connect meetup begins with about 15 minutes of member updates, news, and member-initiated topics. We’ll then move into small breakout rooms for approximately 30–35 minutes of guided conversation around the month’s discussion theme, followed by a brief full-group wrap-up.

  IGGA Connect is a monthly member conversation about how we build skill and strengthen practice in a developing field.

  This Season

  September: Different Backgrounds, Shared Work
  October: Feedback That Strengthens Practice
  January: Growing With Intention

  
  

  Event Details

  Format: Members-only virtual meetup
  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the meetup
  Meetup: 6:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM PT
  Access: The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants on the day of the meetup

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• IGGA Spotlight: Behind the matches: Why bioinformatics matters in IGG

  • When
    13 Oct 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  

  About the Presentation

  The quality of the SNP data uploaded to a genetic genealogy database directly affects the matches a genetic genealogist sees. Bioinformatics plays a critical role in determining data quality, but not all approaches are equal. This presentation will provide a practical introduction to what happens computationally between DNA testing and genealogical analysis, how bioinformatics can address challenges such as degraded and mixed DNA, and how processing decisions can affect the resulting match data. Attendees will learn what to look for when evaluating SNP data, how to recognize problems that may warrant revisiting the bioinformatics, and when apparently poor results may still be recoverable.

  About the Speaker

  Dr. Ellen Greytak is Director of Bioinformatics at Parabon NanoLabs, where she has spent more than a decade developing genomic analysis methods to extract useful information from challenging forensic DNA samples and has performed bioinformatic analysis in more than 1,000 cases. She heads Parabon’s Snapshot® operational division, which has contributed to more than 380 identifications through investigative genetic genealogy, DNA phenotyping, and kinship analysis. Dr. Greytak created Parabon’s machine-learning approach for deconvoluting SNP microarray data from mixed DNA samples and has developed methods for analyzing degraded DNA, inferring distant kinship, and improving forensic SNP data for genealogical analysis. Her broader research applies computational genomics to forensic and biomedical problems. She holds a Ph.D. in Evolutionary Biology from Harvard University.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation will be pre-recorded, followed by a live Q&A with Dr. Greytak.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  
  

  Show details
• IGGA Connect: October Members-only Meetup

  • When
    28 Oct 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  
  

  About This Meetup
  

  Thoughtful feedback can strengthen professional judgment, support learning, and help people see their work from another perspective. It is also genuinely difficult in IGG, where confidentiality is essential and many practitioners work alone or are the only person in their organization doing this work.
  
  This month's conversation will explore what makes feedback constructive, where practitioners can turn when they are uncertain, and how we can seek and offer feedback in ways that respect the discretion our casework requires.
  
  What to Expect
  Each IGGA Connect meetup begins with about 15 minutes of member updates, news, and member-initiated topics. We’ll then move into small breakout rooms for approximately 30–35 minutes of guided conversation around the month’s discussion theme, followed by a brief full-group wrap-up.
  

  IGGA Connect is a monthly member conversation about how we build skill and strengthen practice in a developing field.

  This Season

  September: Different Backgrounds, Shared Work
  October: Feedback That Strengthens Practice
  January: Growing With Intention

  Event Details

  Format: Members-only virtual meetup
  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the meetup
  Meetup: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants on the day of the meetup

  Show details
• IGGA Spotlight: Medicolegal Death Investigation and IGG: Understanding the Partnership

  • When
    10 Nov 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  

  About the Presentation
  

  Medicolegal death investigators play a unique role in death investigations and in the identification of unknown decedents. This presentation will explore the responsibilities of the Medicolegal Death Investigator (MDI), the investigative context they bring to an identification, and how MDIs and Investigative Genetic Genealogists (IGGs) may interact throughout the identification process. Attendees will gain a better understanding of what MDIs need from IGGs to support effective collaboration and communication, and how the two roles can work together toward the identification of unknown decedents.

  
  

  About the Speaker

  Justin Wilson is a board-certified medicolegal death investigator and serves as Chief Investigator at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where he has worked for more than 14 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensic and Investigative Science from West Virginia University.

  Justin is actively involved in advancing the field of medicolegal death investigation and currently serves as an officer with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). He is also a member of the Society of Medicolegal Death Investigators (SOMDI), the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT V), and the Ohio Mortuary Operational Response Team (OMORT).

  In addition to his investigative and leadership roles, Justin serves as an adjunct professor at Cuyahoga County Community College, where he teaches an introductory course in medicolegal death investigation and helps prepare the next generation of professionals entering the field.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation will be pre-recorded, followed by a live Q&A with Justin Wilson.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  Show details
• IGGA Insights: LinkedIn for Investigative Genetic Genealogists

  • When
    17 Nov 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  

  About the Presentation
  

  Your digital footprint is often the first impression a potential client, agency, or partner has of you. Whatever career stage you are at, LinkedIn is an underutilized tool that can help you establish professional credibility, build trust, and open doors to new opportunities. This practical, actionable session cuts through the noise of generic social media advice to deliver a LinkedIn strategy built specifically for the IGG professional. We will break down how to craft a profile that respects the unique privacy and confidentiality boundaries of our industry while still powerfully projecting your investigative expertise.

  About the Speaker
  

  Dr. Amy Jauman, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, is the Human Resources Director for the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization that partners with law enforcement agencies to use investigative genetic genealogy to identify human remains. She is an author, researcher, and speaker specializing in victim-centered storytelling that fosters empathy, understanding, and meaningful change. Working with author Tonia Bales, she co-wrote “When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John.” She has also authored several textbooks, eBooks, and regularly contributes articles and blog posts to a variety of sources.

  Amy has a master’s degree in experiential education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, a doctorate in organization development from the University of St. Thomas, and a graduate certificate in crime analysis from Boston University.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation will be pre-recorded, followed by a live Q&A with Dr. Jauman.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  Show details
• IGGA Spotlight: IGG Through the Badge: A Law Enforcement Perspective

  • When
    15 Dec 2026
  •  
    8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  

  About the Presentation
  

  The IGG journey can look very different through the eyes of law enforcement—especially for smaller agencies, and even larger ones, balancing limited resources, competing priorities, and multiple unsolved cases. This session explores the practical journey from identifying the right cases and evidence to building partnerships and developing a sustainable IGG strategy. Learn why every agency needs an IGG champion, leadership support, strong partnerships, and a clear plan for success. Through lessons learned and real-world experiences, attendees will gain practical strategies to overcome barriers, build momentum, and turn DNA into investigative leads, answers, and justice.

  
  

  About the Speaker

  Ed O’Carroll is a retired Major and Bureau Chief with the Fairfax County Police Department, where he led major crimes, cyber investigations, digital forensics, and forensic services. During his nearly 34-year law enforcement career, Ed served in numerous leadership and investigative assignments and is a proud graduate of the FBI National Academy.

  
  

  Today, he serves as a Law Enforcement Executive Consultant helping agencies strengthen investigative capabilities and leverage digital evidence and emerging technologies to solve complex crimes. A nationally recognized instructor and speaker, Ed provides training to law enforcement professionals across the United States and internationally. His areas of expertise include investigative leadership, digital forensics, cold case investigations, IGG, emerging technology, and building collaborative approaches that advance investigations, support victims and families, and ultimately deliver justice.

  Event Details
  

  Webinar Format: The presentation will be pre-recorded, followed by a live Q&A with Ed O'Carroll.

  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the webinar.

  Capacity: Limited to 300 attendees.
  

  Live Webinar: 8:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM PT
  Access: The webinar link will be sent by email on the day of the event.

  Show details
• IGGA Connect: January Members-only Meetup

  • When
    27 Jan 2027
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Online

  Register

  
  

  About This Meetup

  Professional growth can take many forms, from developing technical knowledge to strengthening judgment, communication, collaboration, or leadership.

  This month’s conversation will invite members to reflect on where they would like to grow, what helps learning translate into practice, and how they can recognize meaningful progress over time. Members will leave with the beginnings of a personal growth plan for the year.

  What to Expect

  Each IGGA Connect meetup begins with about 15 minutes of member updates, news, and member-initiated topics. We’ll then move into small breakout rooms for approximately 30–35 minutes of guided conversation around the month’s discussion theme, followed by a brief full-group wrap-up.

  IGGA Connect is a monthly member conversation about how we build skill and strengthen practice in a developing field.

  This Season

  September: Different Backgrounds, Shared Work
  October: Feedback That Strengthens Practice
  January: Growing With Intention

  Event Details

  Format: Members-only virtual meetup
  Registration: Closes at 11:59 PM ET the night before the meetup
  Meetup: 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT
  Access: The Zoom link will be emailed to registrants on the day of the meetup

  Show details