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Solving Cold Cases Using Investigative Genetic Genealogy

Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) offers an exciting new opportunity to help Law Enforcement give names back to unidentified human remains and help solve criminal cases.

Since the first high-profile case was solved in 2018, well over a thousand cases have been cracked using IGG. Canada has its own share of successful case solves and there is much discussion, controversy, and questions around this new way of generating leads in cold cases.

In this talk, Marie Palmer, a Canadian Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogist with numerous case solves, will give an overview of IGG and walk through a Canadian case study about one of her first successful identifications. She'll also share how you can help improve the odds of solving more cases.

About Marie Palmer:

Marie is an Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogist (AIGG) and educator based in Canada. As a professional genealogist, she has helped dozens of clients to extend their family trees, solve mysteries, and find biological family. She has worked with Legacy Tree Genealogists and, since 2022, has been generating leads in cold cases using genetic genealogy through the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).

In addition to a Master of Science in Information Science and Library Management (University of Northumbria, UK), Marie holds bachelor degrees in Education (University of British Columbia) as well as Electrical Engineering (University of Waterloo), and a Certificate in Genealogical Research (Boston University). She serves as a coordinator with the Society of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy and is a keen advocate for IGG, particularly in Canada.

Accessibility at this event:

• Accessible, all-genders washroom.
• Ramp entrance to building with handrails.
• Masks welcome.
• If you require further accommodations, please let us know on the registration page.
• Find more information about accessibility library here. 

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