This case involved unidentified skeletal human remains recovered from a remote wilderness area. Traditional identification efforts, including CODIS, did not produce any investigative leads.

DNA evidence was available, but the individual’s identity remained unknown. The agency sought to pursue forensic genetic genealogy as an investigative avenue and coordinated genomic sequencing through an appropriate laboratory.

Once genomic sequencing was completed, the resulting data was uploaded for analysis. Initial database results included numerous matches consistent with endogamy on the maternal side, complicating maternal-line analysis.

Given those constraints, the investigative focus shifted to the paternal line. Male haplogroup data provided by the laboratory was requested and reviewed, and database matches were evaluated for shared paternal lineage indicators.

Two distant matches sharing the same paternal haplogroup were identified. Research was conducted upward to the most recent common ancestor and then downward to living descendants who met the investigative criteria.

A living sibling was identified who already had DNA data in a separate consumer database. The individual was asked to download their existing DNA file and upload it for direct comparison.

No reference testing was performed at any stage of the investigation.

Once the upload occurred, the genetic relationship was immediately confirmed through direct comparison. Within 48 hours of actionable matches becoming available, the missing individual was identified as the deceased person.

By leveraging existing genetic data and applying a structured forensic genetic genealogy methodology, the investigation moved directly to identification without the delays, costs, or risks associated with reference testing.

Forensic genetic genealogy can produce rapid, defensible identifications by correctly interpreting existing DNA data without time-consuming, and fiscally wasteful reference testing.