Policy Text
Policy
608San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentForensic Genetic Genealogy - 1Forensic Genetic Genealogy
608.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidance for the use of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to generate
investigative leads.
608.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) - An FBI computer software program that operates
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profile databases for law enforcement use.
DNA typing laboratory - A laboratory that analyzes biological samples, including extracted DNA,
in order to provide various DNA profile types. State or local crime labs are generally not equipped
to provide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) DNA profiles; therefore, the use of private DNA
typing laboratories is often necessary for FGG.
Extracted DNA - The DNA isolated from a biological sample remaining after previous DNA testing
has been completed.
Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) - The process of obtaining a SNP DNA profile from a
biological sample collected during an investigation; uploading the profile to a genetic genealogy
site for comparison to the consumer profiles in the site's database to identify genetic relatives; and
using the identified genetic relationships, as well as traditional genealogy research, to generate
investigative leads.
Genetic genealogist - A genealogist who uses DNA testing with traditional genealogical research
methods to assist law enforcement or private clients in identifying biological relatives of an
individual.
Genetic genealogy site - A database of DNA profiles voluntarily submitted by public consumers
for the purpose of identifying genetic relatives. The availability of genetic genealogy sites for law
enforcement use varies depending on their terms of service.
National DNA Index System (NDIS) – The NDIS is one part of the CODIS - the national
level- containing the DNA Profiles contributed by federal, state, and local participating forensic
laboratories.
Short tandem repeat (STR) DNA profile - The results of DNA typing in a format that can be
processed through CODIS and state DNA databases. This is the type of DNA used in conventional
non-FGG law enforcement investigations.
Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) DNA profile - The results of DNA typing in a format that
enables an unknown DNA sample to be compared to the DNA profiles maintained by a genetic
genealogy site. This is the DNA type used in FGG.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentForensic Genetic Genealogy - 2608.2 POLICY
The San Luis Obispo Police Department's use of FGG will be in coordination with prosecutors, the
Coroner, and other appropriate resources only in qualifying cases after reasonable conventional
investigative methods have been pursued. Members will take reasonable steps to maintain the
integrity of the FGG process and safeguard the privacy rights of individuals whose DNA profiles
are analyzed.
608.3 CRITERIA FOR FGG USE
Before using FGG, the lead investigator should coordinate with the supervisor to determine
whether the case meets the following requirements:
(a)Biological evidence collected as part of the underlying investigation (or extracted
DNA from the biological evidence) is available for additional testing and is reasonably
believed to be attributable to:
1.The perpetrator of an unsolved violent felony.
2.Unidentified human remains.
3.The perpetrator of an unsolved violent felony for comparison to other unsolved
cases.
4.A potential missing person.
(b)All reasonable conventional investigative methods have been considered (e.g.,
relevant case information entered in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons
System (NamUs) and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP) national
database).
(c)An STR DNA profile has been developed from the biological evidence collected in
the case and, absent unusual circumstances, has been uploaded to CODIS and any
applicable state or local DNA database for comparison with negative results.
608.4 COORDINATION
Once a preliminary determination has been made that a case may qualify for the use of FGG, the
lead investigating member may consult with the appropriate prosecutor to address current and
prospective legal issues and determine if a search warrant is required.
In the case of unidentified human remains, the lead investigator should also consult with the
Coroner.
608.5 SUBMISSION OF SAMPLE
The biological evidence or extracted DNA should be submitted to a DNA typing laboratory
approved by the Department in order to obtain a SNP DNA profile.
Once a SNP DNA profile has been obtained from the biological evidence or extracted DNA, the
lead investigating member should arrange for it to be compared to the SNP DNA profiles contained
in one or more genetic genealogy sites to identify possible genetic relatives. The lead investigator
should work with a genetic genealogist as needed during this process.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Forensic Genetic Genealogy
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/07/22, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentForensic Genetic Genealogy - 3When submitting a SNP DNA profile for comparison, the lead investigator or the authorized
designee (e.g., assigned genetic genealogist) shall notify the genetic genealogy site that the
request for comparison is from a law enforcement agency and confirm that the site's terms