Consumer DNA testing has brought a new level of self-exploration to those who are curious about their genetic health, their ancestral origins, and even their genetic family trees. Consumers and genealogists are uncovering new DNA relatives, finding long-lost family members, and in some cases, unveiling deep family secrets. This discovery of identifying unknown people through DNA testing is akin to forensic DNA profiling in criminal investigations. Harnessing the power of consumer DNA databases to identify DNA relatives, the field of Forensic Genetic Genealogy has recently emerged as a powerful new investigative tool to identify unknown perpetrators of violent crimes and to identify Jane and John Does. DNA is the blueprint of a person’s life and genealogical records are the paper trail. By combining these, cold case investigations can be cracked open by revealing a person’s born identity. Crime, Criminal justice, Forensics, Genetics, Human origins, Science, Genealogy Claire Glynn, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Forensic Science, in the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, at the University of New Haven, Connecticut. Claire previously was employed as a Forensic Biologist in the homicide and sexual assaults team at LGC Forensics (now Eurofins) in the United Kingdom. After obtaining a Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine, Claire joined the faculty at the University of New Haven in 2014, where she teaches courses and conducts extensive research focused on forensic biology, forensic DNA analysis, and forensic genetic genealogy. Claire is the founding Director of the online Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy at the University of New Haven, which is the first program of its kind, and she actively consults and provides subject matter expertise on the topic to law enforcement agencies in the United States and internationally. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx