Start Here
If you have already taken a DNA test with a service like AncestryDNA or MyHeritage, or are considering doing so, please consider taking these two crucial steps:
- Upload your DNA data to FTDNA (Family Tree DNA) at: https://www.familytreedna.com/
Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) has a dedicated law enforcement matching program that allows your DNA to be compared against samples from unidentified remains, with strict privacy protocols in place.
- Upload your DNA data to GEDmatch at: https://www.gedmatch.com/
GEDmatch is a public access website that allows users to compare their autosomal DNA data from various testing companies. Many law enforcement agencies use GEDmatch to generate investigative leads.
Click here for instructions on how to download your DNA file from Ancestry and upload to GEDmatch or Family Tree DNA, and for instructions on how to download your DNA file from Family Tree DNA and upload to GEDmatch.
How this helps
Help Bring Closure: Your DNA Can Identify Unidentified Human Remains
Across our state and country, countless individuals remain unidentified – nameless faces, lost stories, and families left with agonizing questions. The Idaho Missing Persons Clearinghouse lists over 175 missing persons, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) lists 20 Unidentified Human Remains cases in Idaho. These are our neighbors, our friends, and our loved ones who deserve to be identified and returned home.
You have the power to help solve these cold cases.
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly utilizing a powerful new tool called Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). This innovative technique combines traditional genealogy with DNA analysis to generate leads for identifying unidentified human remains and solving cold case homicides and sexual assaults in Idaho.
Your privacy matters:
Both FTDNA and GEDmatch have clear policies regarding law enforcement use, and you have control over how your data is used. By opting in to these programs, you are making a conscious decision to contribute to a vital public service.
Why is this so important?
Every DNA match, even a distant one, can provide a crucial piece of the puzzle. It can narrow down a search, connect families, and ultimately lead to the identification of an individual who has been lost for far too long. Imagine the relief and closure you could help provide to a grieving family.
Act today. Your DNA could be the key to bringing someone home.
For more information on investigative genetic genealogy and how your DNA can make a difference, please visit reputable sources such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) or your local law enforcement agency’s website.
Thank you for considering this vital contribution to our communities.