Saber Investigations

04/07/2022

Congrats to the IMF team! Excited to be teaming up with them to provide bioinformatics services for their new WGS customers!

*EXCITING NEWS!* We are pleased to announce that our nonprofit laboratory now offers forensic whole genome sequencing! This is the kind of DNA testing used in cases like the Golden State Killer. It produces a profile based on SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms), which can be uploaded to GEDmatch PRO and FamilyTreeDNA. After that, specially trained genealogists can identify possible leads.

This is a key service for identifying bodies and persons of interest. We had been outsourcing it, but thanks to an anonymous group, we partnered with Illumina to acquire a NovaSeq 6000 Sequencing system, the most powerful whole genome sequencing instrument in the world. With the NovaSeq, our lab adds a massively powerful tool to our investigative DNA toolbox. This announcement had been planned for April 25 – 3rd anniversary of when we announced our plans to found a nonprofit laboratory – but we’re just too excited and we already have clients, so…

*MORE BIG NEWS!* Accreditation is a long, arduous process in which all aspects of a laboratory’s operations – processes, policies, equipment, etc. – are independently evaluated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Accreditation is important not only for transparency, but also for cases that might end up in court, where Accreditation is the standard and is expected. We are already Accredited as a forensic laboratory, but we are pleased to announce that we have applied to expand our Accreditation to specifically include forensic SNPs. We expect this process to be completed in the next month or so. Intermountain Forensics will be the only Accredited forensic laboratory offering whole genome sequencing.

*AND MORE!* We've teamed with Kevin Lord of Saber Investigations to provide bioinformatics. (Bioinformatics is part of the process to make a whole genome sequence suitable for forensic use.) Kevin has been providing bioinformatics to forensic labs and genealogists for years, producing dozens of successful identifications. Kevin is a groundbreaker like us!

Along with other services we were already providing (STR, YSTR, Kintelligence, etc.), we now offer among the most comprehensive forensic DNA services in the country. This was hard to imagine three years ago, when a group of volunteers announced ambitious plans to found a laboratory to help make DNA testing more accessible. We are passionate about the cause!

05/18/2021

Looking forward to handling the bioinformatics on this case and keeping fingers crossed the Redgrave team is able to bring it to a resolution!

New case announced: Babes in the Wood, Stanley Park, Vancouver 1953

Please visit our case page for more information: https://redgraveresearch.com/2021/05/18/babes-in-the-wood/

We would like to appeal to the public, especially in the Vancouver area: If you have taken a genealogical DNA test on any of the major direct-to-consumer websites and you would like to help our search and other investigations, please consider sharing your data with the websites we can use in forensic investigations. Instructions on how to download your raw DNA data and upload it to GEDmatch and FTDNA are available at our help site: http://help.FG4LE.com This will assist our genealogy team by providing more pieces for the genetic genealogical puzzle.

We take information security very seriously not only in regards to case information but also the information of the DNA matches who have graciously allowed us to compare forensic cases to their DNA data. Names of the DNA matches we use for comparison are never shared publicly, as our genealogists work under a privacy agreement.

Thank you to the Vancouver Police Department for entrusting us with the genealogical search for these two boys, Lakehead University ’s Paleo-DNA lab for the extraction, HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology for their whole genome sequencing, and Kevin Lord of Saber Investigations who will handle the bioinformatics. Also thanks to our forensic genetic genealogy team at Redgrave Research Forensic Services, who are ready and waiting to get started as soon as a workable DNA profile is finished being developed. The team for this case will be co-led by Anthony Redgrave and senior intern Olivia McCarter. We look forward to assisting in finding the identity of these young brothers who met such a tragic end so many years ago.

10/20/2020

We were glad we could provide bioinformatics services to DNA Doe Project to aid in the identification of this John Doe utilizing investigative genetic genealogy. RIP Anthony John Armbrust, Jr.

A press release has been issued for the DNA Doe Project assisting with solving a case from Park County, Colorado in 1974. Read the full press release here https://bit.ly/2Hi6lqf

08/06/2019

Check out the contest we're sponsoring with the DNA Genealogy Crime Solvers page! Be sure to enter for your chance to win a free DNA test from AncestryDNA or 23andme! Don't forget to opt-in on GEDmatch!

🌟 W I N 🌟 🧬 DNA GIVEAWAY TIME! Enter now for a chance to win a DNA kit! 🎁🎉

DNA Genealogy Crime Solvers is teaming with Saber Investigations to offer one lucky fan a DNA kit ($99 value) from either AncestryDNA or 23andMe! 💝🍀

👉 How to Enter
🔎 Like the Saber Investigations and DNA Genealogy Crime Solvers pages
🔎 Like this post
🔎 Comment below and tell us which case you’ve been happiest to see solved by genetic genealogy or which case you’d love to see solved?
🔎 Vote on the best comment (extra credit)

👉 Do you know someone who needs or wants a DNA kit? HURRY to let them know! Contest begins now and ends at midnight 12 August 2019.

We’ll randomly select one winner on Tuesday, 13 August 2019 and announce the winner here on the DGCS page.

Good luck and happy researching! 🤞🌳









For this contest, participants may leave as many comments and likes (“entries”) as desired, but must be 18 years of age. Visit this link for a full list of contest rules: https://preview.tinyurl.com/y5tho2qz 😊

07/29/2019

Another Doe identified!

The DNA Doe Project (DDP) is grateful to announce the identification of “Belle in the Well” as Louise Virginia Peterson Flesher, who was born June 16, 1915 in West Virginia.

"Belle in the Well" aka "Chesapeake Jane Doe" was found in a rural cistern in Windsor Township, Lawrence Co., OH, in April 1981. She was weighted down by a rope around her neck tied to a cinder block. She had been strangled.

DDP arranged to take the case in June 2017. After DNA was extracted from a tooth and sequencing performed, we obtained a file and uploaded it to GEDmatch in November, 2017. Due to extensive intermarriage in the community it took over 14 months to finally identify her.

Earlier today (July 29, 2019) the Lawrence County Coroner's Office hosted a press conference detailing the investigation, the partnership with DDP, and subsequent confirmation of identity.

We thank the Lawrence County Coroner's Office for entrusting us with this case. We also are indebted to:

Bode Cellmark Forensics, Inc.
Dr. Weining Tang, AMD Biotech
Justin Loe, Full Genomes Corporation
Dr. Gregory Magoon, Aerodyne Research

And to our generous donors, our dedicated volunteer genealogists, to Belle's matches who were responsive and helpful, and to GEDmatch without which these cases could not be solved. Our future cases will now depend on the willingness of GEDmatch users to log on and opt-in.

Identification announcement of Belle in the Well:

Lawrence County Coroner's Office's announcement
https://www.facebook.com/lawrencecountycoroner/photos/a.176790506404265/486918428724803/

DNA Doe Project: http://dnadoeproject.org/case/belle-in-the-well/

Other links:
https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case #/6259 (Closed after the Press Conference)
https://unidentified.wikia.com/wiki/Belle_in_the_Well
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/1027ufoh.html

07/19/2019

President and investigator Kevin Lord recently had an article published in Forensic Magazine detailing how imputation can help solve difficult genetic genealogy cases with degraded DNA.

Genotype imputation, a technique often used by researchers performing genome-wide association studies, is now being used to help solve difficult genealogical cases for law enforcement.

04/09/2019

Great article describing the basics of the process we use to help solve cold cases. Let us help solve yours!

The Golden State Killer case has triggered a boom in “genetic genealogy” for solving crimes. But how hard is it to find people by sleuthing in their family trees?

03/14/2019

Another Doe identified with genetic genealogy!

Today the Josephine County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) announced that the DNA Doe Project has successfully identified Annie Doe as Anne “Annie” Marie Lehman of Aberdeen, Washington.

Annie’s DNA went through two rounds of extraction and sequencing and extensive bioinformatics before we obtained usable data for genealogical analysis. Even so, her closest DNA matches were from England and New Zealand, adding to the challenges of her case. She is the oldest cold case we have solved so far, nearly a half-century after her death.

We wish to thank Dr. Nici Vance of the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office for entrusting us with Annie Doe. Our heartfelt appreciation goes to Det. Sgt. Ken Selig of the Josephine County Sheriff’s Office, who worked closely with us in obtaining the confirmation. Thanks, too, to NamUs, and to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) for their assistance and support.

Forensic Artist and Clackamas County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joyce Nagy provided the clay reconstruction of our Jane Doe, and fortuitously named her “Annie.”

The costs of Annie’s tests were funded through NCMEC as well as many of our DoeFundMe donors, and by a generous contribution from Officer Stephanie Bourgeois and the Apache Junction Police Department.

Without GEDmatch these breakthroughs could not be made. We thank the many individuals who contributed their DNA data to gedmatch.com, making her identification possible (particularly those matches who were so helpful when contacted.) Tough cases like Annie’s depend critically on the persistence and passion of our dedicated volunteers, and the indispensable bioinformatics work by Dr. Greg Magoon of Aerodyne Research.

Science, ingenuity, collaboration, and determination has brought Annie home after nearly 50 years.

Here’s a link to the JCSO press release:
https://www.facebook.com/jcsosheriff/posts/2060670873970051
https://www.co.josephine.or.us/News.asp?NewsID=543

Link to original post:
https://www.facebook.com/DNADoeProject/posts/2195665577358882

Link to DNA Doe Project Website:
http://dnadoeproject.org/case/annie-doe/

03/07/2019

Another Doe identified by DNA Doe Project!

03/07/2019

Genetic genealogy isn't only useful for identifying perpetrators of homicides. It can also help take rapists off the street who are not in CODIS but likely to reoffend.

"I believe it's the first in the state of New Mexico to try to solve a case using this technique," Torrez said.

02/22/2019

Another DNA Doe Project identification!

The DNA Doe Project has made a tentative identification in the case of John Clinton Doe. Hunters found the young man's remains near Rock County, Wisconsin in 1995. The Rock County Sheriff's Office is seeking confirmation and pursuing the investigation. We can share details when an announcement is made by the agency.

This was a DoeFundMe case, so we extend our gratitude to those of you who graciously donated. We thank the Rock County Sheriff’s Office for entrusting us with this case and for their help throughout this search. We also wish to thank the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Fulgent Genetics for the lab work, and Justin Loe of Full Genomes Corporation, Inc., and of course our bioinformatics expert Dr. Greg Magoon of Aerodyne Research, Inc.

Above all, thank you to GEDmatch, and to our incredible team of dedicated DDP volunteers.

We extend our appreciation and condolences to the family for their cooperation and assistance during this painful time.

Anyone with information on this case should contact the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

Details of JCD’s case may be found at:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_County_John_Doe
• https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case #/4757
• https://unidentified.wikia.com/wiki/John_Clinton_Doe
• http://www.missingkids.com/poster/NCMC/1234507/1/screen
• http://www.findjcd.org
• Find John Clinton Doe page

Special thanks to Jovey Hayes (Phojoe Photo) for the photo reconstruction of John Clinton Doe.

01/31/2019

Principal Investigator Kevin Lord was interviewed last night by KYTX CBS 19 in Tyler, TX about his involvement in leading the team of DNA Doe Project volunteers who recently identified Lavender Doe.

cbs19.tv