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INVESTIGATIVE GENETIC GENEALOGY ASSOCIATION

Many Paths. One Community.


Upcoming events

    • 28 Oct 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 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 groups for approximately 30–35 minutes, with a few conversation prompts to get things started, 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


    IGGA Connect Etiquette

    IGGA Connect is a space for shared conversation and relationship-building across backgrounds and experience levels. To keep that space comfortable and mutually beneficial, please do not use breakout rooms or other Connect discussions to solicit jobs, volunteer opportunities, casework, referrals, or similar professional opportunities from fellow participants.

    Questions about someone’s experience, career path, or perspective are always welcome. We simply want all attendees to be able to participate openly, without feeling that they need to provide access to opportunities.

    • 10 Nov 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 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.

    • 17 Nov 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 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.

    • 15 Dec 2026
    • 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 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.

    • 27 Jan 2027
    • 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
    • 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 groups for approximately 30–35 minutes, with a few conversation prompts to get things started, 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


    IGGA Connect Etiquette

    IGGA Connect is a space for shared conversation and relationship-building across backgrounds and experience levels. To keep that space comfortable and mutually beneficial, please do not use breakout rooms or other Connect discussions to solicit jobs, volunteer opportunities, casework, referrals, or similar professional opportunities from fellow participants.

    Questions about someone’s experience, career path, or perspective are always welcome. We simply want all attendees to be able to participate openly, without feeling that they need to provide access to opportunities.


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