FORENSIC GENEALOGISTS DISCUSSES THIS TECHNOLOGY AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH COLD CASES

·31 min·3 clips

Misty Gillis reveals how forensic genealogists upload DNA from unknown samples into genealogy databases to find cousin matches and solve cold cases.

The episode begins with an introduction to the Weird Science Facts Podcast and guest Misty Gillis, a senior forensic genealogist and cold case liaison at Identifinders International and the University of Michigan. Dr. Carlos sets up the topic by noting how genealogy has brought closure to cold cases lasting decades. Gillis explains her role in identifying unknown samples, such as human remains or perpetrator DNA, using whole genome sequencing and uploading data to genealogy databases GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA. She details how genealogists build family trees from cousin matches to find common ancestors and identify unknown individuals. Gillis discusses the uniqueness of DNA and how shared DNA with relatives helps in tracing lineages. She highlights that for perpetrator samples, only opted-in matches in databases are accessible, while unidentified remains cases have full database access. A key case involves identifying Daniel Paul Armentrout, a 15-year-old who drowned in Centerville, Alabama in the 1940s, by calling a cousin in a German nursing home. Gillis explains the accuracy of DNA solves, noting that while confirmed matches are 100% accurate via CODIS, solve rates vary due to underrepresentation of minority communities in databases. She contrasts a Caucasian case solved in two hours with Hispanic and African-American cases unsolved for years. The conversation covers evidence types, including new technology for extracting DNA from rootless hair by Astrea Forensics in California. Gillis describes surreptitious collection methods, like trash pulls or swabbing discarded items, used to obtain confirmation samples. She addresses challenges with mixture samples, such as in sexual assault cases, and mentions companies like Paragon working on these issues. A fascinating aside involves bone marrow transplants altering DNA, with a case where a donor's DNA matched a crime scene sample. Gillis talks about degraded DNA, citing the 1957 Boy in the Box case and older remains like Henry Loveless from the 1800s, where molars or femur bones preserve DNA. She connects this to bioinformatics, which imputes missing DNA data, akin to techniques hinted at in Jurassic Park. The episode concludes with Gillis sharing excitement about future advancements, like extracting DNA from soil or insects, and practical tips like scratching perpetrators to get DNA under fingernails.

As heard by us

A grounded look at how genealogy can help cold cases move forward.

Forensic genealogy is framed as a practical way to move cold cases forward, and Misty Gillis lays out how DNA, family trees, and database work can help when standard searches run out of road.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want forensic genealogy with cold-case stakes.

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