Board of Trustees

President & Co-Founder

Eryk Jan Grzeszkowiak is a Polish forensic investigative genetic genealogist based in Scotland and one of the first accredited investigative genetic genealogists. He brings over a decade of experience in genetic genealogy and more than two decades in traditional genealogy. With a formal background in quantitative human genetics, he has lectured in genetics and genetic genealogy at four universities across Europe and is a frequent speaker at conferences in both Europe and America.

Eryk has designed multiple genetic genealogy exams, including the entrance exam for the DNA Doe Project’s highly competitive practicum programme; he also served as the Exam Director at the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board in the US. At the DNA Doe Project, he is a Team Leader and co-leads the education department as a Research and Curriculum Development Specialist – conducting research and training the next generation of forensic investigative genetic genealogists.

In addition to his forensic, scientific and educational roles, Eryk has extensive experience in the non-profit sector, having worked with five non-profit organisations and served on the boards of two. His leadership and service reflect a longstanding commitment to advancing public benefit through education, research, and community engagement.

Alexander Alberts-Dakash is an experienced genetic genealogist, software developer as well as a professional private investigator based in Germany. He is the founder of the Detektei für DNA-Genealogie und Familiensuche which offers services in both genetic genealogy and forensic investigative genetic genealogy. His work has been featured in television documentaries and widely recognised publications across the German-speaking world, reflecting his commitment to public education in the field of genetic genealogy.

Alexander brings to his investigative and genealogical work a multidisciplinary academic background in the humanities, social sciences, computer science and several languages. Over the past decade, he has developed analytical models and research strategies tailored to the European data and privacy landscape. In addition to his professional practice, Alexander has over fifteen years of experience as a university researcher and lecturer.

Treasurer & Co-Founder

Matthew Waterfield was one of the first forensic investigative genetic genealogists in Europe and he has now worked on over 25 cases from a number of countries. He is the founder of Silverwell Research, which provides both standard genealogy and forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) services to individuals and organisations alike. Additionally, Matthew is a longtime volunteer with the DNA Doe Project, where he serves as a Team Leader on multiple cases, among other roles. He is also an Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogist (AIGG), becoming one of the first practitioners in the world to receive this accreditation. 

Matthew has led a number of teams to successful resolutions on unidentified human remains cases, including the identifications of Dottie Lees (Florence Junction Jane Doe 1988), Shelly Rae Kephart (Matilda Doe 1994) and Tommy Pool Jr. (Valencia Road John Doe 2019). He also assisted in the identification of Michael Sidney Hill, who became the first British national to be identified using FIGG. Matthew is passionate about Europe embracing FIGG and he has participated in a variety of efforts to promote this, which has included giving talks about it at both domestic and international conferences, among other events.