What is forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG)?
Forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) is a method used to help identify unknown individuals in forensic cases.
It combines DNA analysis with genealogical research and typically draws on other investigative tools too, e.g. open-source intelligence (OSINT). First used in the mid-2010s, FIGG is estimated to have contributed to more than 1,000 identifications worldwide.
When FIGG is used
FIGG typically applies in three main types of cases:
- Unidentified human remains (UHR), often called John or Jane Does in the media,
- Unidentified crime suspects – perpetrators of violent crimes (e.g. homicide, sexual assault),
- Living persons with unknown identity, for example, individuals with amnesia (this is the rarest use of FIGG).
How the process begins
Most FIGG practitioners start their work once a DNA profile has been generated and prepared through bioinformatic processing so it can be uploaded to DNA databases such as GEDmatch PRO, FamilyTreeDNA or DNA Justice.
Some practitioners, particularly those with additional skills like crime analysis or bioinformatics, may also contribute earlier (or later) in the process – reviewing case files, working in the lab, or helping create the DNA profile. In most cases, however, their role begins when the DNA profile enters the databases and ends when a hypothesis regarding the subject’s identity is established.
Reconstructing family connections
Practitioners analyse the unknown subject’s DNA alongside the DNA of genetic relatives found in the database. They then build family trees, looking for clusters of relatives who share common ancestors. If the unknown subject is genetically linked to multiple clusters, these patterns help narrow down the possible identities.
The aim is to identify one person (or sometimes a small group such as siblings) whose ancestry matches the genetic and genealogical clues from the investigation.
Why cases vary in difficulty
No two FIGG cases are alike. Before uploading a DNA profile, it is impossible to predict how long the case will take or whether it will even be solvable. Success and pace depend on many factors beyond a practitioner’s level of experience (although it plays a significant role on its own), including:
- Family structure (cousin marriages, adoptions or misattributed parentage)
- Representation of the unknown subject’s population group in the database
- Endogamy (where people marry within a small community)
- Complex life events such as gender transition or sperm donation
Skills and specialisation
FIGG is a highly specialised field requiring expertise across genetics, genealogy, and investigative work, as well as strong analytical skills. Although many TV shows and news reports make FIGG cases appear very straightforward, real-world FIGG investigations can be complex and time-consuming.
FIGG is often compared to genetic genealogy (GG), which is commonly used to help adoptees find biological family members or solve traditional genealogical puzzles. FIGG cases are typically far more challenging than regular GG cases – they cannot draw on some of the larger public databases that are not available for forensic use.
Want to learn more?
If you are interested in the field of FIGG (or are a FIGG practitioner), you can join the Society for Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (SoFIGG) by clicking here.
