INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR – DAVID GAYLOR UK FIGG ARTICLE

Following the outstanding success of the first Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) law enforcement two-day summit in San Diego, California, on March 13 -14, 2023, a similar event was held in the United Kingdom.

On this occasion a one-day training seminar was delivered to law enforcement officers from Kent Police, forensic providers and academics at the Kent Police Crime Academy, United Kingdom. The event was hosted by the Kent Police Department and sponsored by QIAGEN.

The program included a presentation on the Golden State killer case study from Paul Holes, retired from the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. He was joined by Anne Marie Schubert, retired Sacramento County District Attorney, whose office prosecuted the case. They spent the morning outlining the investigation and prosecution of the Golden State killer, particularly in relation to the use of genetic genealogy as the main investigative tool that helped solve the case. The case related to Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. who is an American serial killer and rapist who committed at least 13 murders, 51 rapes and 120 burglaries across California between 1974 and 1986 and was brought to justice in 2018.

Their presentation was followed by Dr Claire Glynn, the director and associate professor of the online FIGG certificate program at the University of Newhaven, Henry C. Lee college. She presented FIGG in action and training for law enforcement and the forensic community.

The training day began with Nicola Oldroyd Clarke, Senior Director Commercial Operations, HID and Forensics at QAIGEN, who set the scene with a brief introduction to genetic genealogy. The 150 attendees enjoyed a buffet lunch sponsored by QIAGEN.

The afternoon session was opened by Martin Wittrup Enggaard, a Cold Case Homicide Investigator from the Copenhagen Police in Denmark. An inspirational speaker, Martin took it upon himself as a concerned citizen, outside of his organization, to highlight the potential use of genetic genealogy in major crime investigations. Using social media, interviews, and appearances on Danish television, over a period of many months, Martin gained enough support by collecting over fifty thousand signatures to lobby the Danish Parliament to legalize the use of FIGG. Martin told the story of how he had personally spoken to the political parties within the Parliament seeking to gain their support in passing legislation that would help introduce genetic genealogy in Denmark as an investigative tool.

The day concluded with the final presentation by Professor Denise Syndercombe Court, a professor of forensic genetics at King’s College London. Professor Court spoke about kinship testing and the future of FIGG from a practitioner’s perspective.

The December 2022 newsletter article highlighted the San Diego event that was being organized and hopefully this piece updates the progress that is being made around the world. These training events and discussions form part of the drive to inform law enforcement agencies and public prosecutors of the opportunities that forensic genetic genealogy can provide. There will, of course, be the need to introduce operating procedures and working practices to ensure this investigative tool is used properly. It not only has the potential to be used for cold cases and current homicide investigations but also by identifying offenders, may prevent future crimes being committed. It also has the potential to be used in cases where DNA is a central element of the prosecution where a miscarriage of justice may have occurred and additionally to identify a body which has been discovered and its identity is unknown.

HEROISM: THE ABSENCE OF SELF

BY: DAVE EDDY, IHIA DIRECTOR

At Large

We recently celebrated Memorial Day in the United States; the day we honor and mourn military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. We rightfully refer to them as heroes as we remember their sacrifice, knowing well that such may be required of anyone serving in the profession of arms. Countless men and women have given their lives in the cause for freedom, standing toe to toe with adversaries to keep evil at bay. Each of them understood the risks of their profession, yet many willingly chose selfsacrifice over self-preservation.

It’s not valor that warriors are thinking of when everything goes haywire. In his book If Not Now, When?, Medal of Honor recipient Jack Jacobs asserts that “Gallantry in the midst of almost certain death is not an act of physical courage.” Rather, “It is moral courage that makes the difference…the act of doing the right thing when it is much easier to do otherwise.”

I’ve never met Jack Jacobs, but I am privileged to be acquainted with two other Medal of Honor recipients, a couple former Prisoners of War, and several straight-up heroes of armed conflict. I’ve never heard any of them describe themselves as heroes. Rather, each is notably humble despite demonstrating exceptional valor. In fact, neither Medal of Honor recipient I’ve talked with consider the award individual recognition. Sacrificially devoted to comrades and country, each said they simply did what needed to be done, insisting it represents the sacrifice and courage of all involved.

Whether the physical or moral type, my favorite description is that courage is not the absence of fear, but the absence of self.

For instance, six security contractors went beyond expectations, selflessly preventing worse disaster and saving countless lives during the attack on a State Department outpost and CIA compound in Benghazi, Libya, during which Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed. The book 13 Hours chronicles these events.

Likewise, while many acted heroically throughout, it was Secret Service Agent Tim McCarthy who deliberately moved to shield President Ronald Reagan during a 1981 assassination attempt, taking a bullet to the stomach. President Reagan would later thank McCarthy for his

Then there’s my good friend, Jim, who was part of the special operations force participating in the 4 March 2002 fight for Takur Ghar; a fierce battle in Afghanistan during which seven Americans died and many others were wounded. John Chapman, who like Jim was a United States Air Force Combat Controller, was one of those killed that day. Chapman would later be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions, detailed in the book Alone at Dawn.

Courage and heroism may not be uncommon to people like Jim, John Chapman, first responders, or others in the profession of arms. But that doesn’t mean those traits are restricted only to individuals taking up arms or running into burning buildings. Ordinary heroes are everywhere: teachers, mentors, the compassionate, the benevolent, the humanitarian, the missionary, the caregiver, the ones who stayed when it was easier to leave, and the ones left behind to carry on. And so many more.

Consider pilot Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, who miraculously landed his non-amphibious passenger plane in the Hudson River after losing thrust in both engines, saving all 155 people onboard. He even walked the aisle of the sinking jetliner as it filled with water to ensure no one was left onboard before leaving it himself.

And it was during a 1957 multi-state crime spree that not only lawmen, but ordinary citizens, performed heroically. For instance, Melvin Ray, a friend of Indiana Trooper William Kellems, stayed at his friend’s side after the trooper was gunned down. Kellems and Michigan Trooper Dugald Pellot died in the line of duty that day. Several others were wounded. But it wasn’t until Clif Edwards’ stirring book Heart Shots that many other details of that tragic day became known…including the actions of Melvin Ray. I attended the memorial dedication last year in Scottsburg, Indiana where Kellems was killed. It was stirring to watch Melvin help dedicate the very portion of roadway where he bravely attended his dying friend. Nearly 65 years later, this unlikely hero was still emotional as he recounted his actions; grateful he could comfort Kellems as he succumbed