Identity recovered

Uncovering Family Secrets and Identifying the Lost with DNA

Rhonda Kevorkian, an investigative genetic genealogist, found a new family member through a DNA test in 2012, spurring a career change. Kevorkian now works for the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that identifies John and Jane Does. The organization has identified over 200 people since 2017, including Sindy Gina Crow, a cold case from 1985.

"Everyone deserves to have their name back and a proper burial ... to be a part of that resolution is very profound." - Rhonda Kevorkian

The DNA Doe Project raises money for genetic testing through donations, as many Does are homeless or victims of homicide. Social media and the public also play a role in identification. In one case, a woman uploaded her DNA to GEDmatch, identifying her missing aunt.

DNA Doe takes on cases at the request of law enforcement. The oldest case is from a 1944 Connecticut circus fire. The organization determines the best DNA sample, sequences it, and uploads it to GEDmatch or Family Tree DNA, which distill data from popular consumer kits.

Austinite Kevin Lord, a former tech worker, helps shepherd samples and determine optimal testing. Labs extract DNA from various body parts, with teeth and dense bones providing better protection. The extracted DNA helps reconstruct family trees, with volunteers helping to identify missing persons.

Kevorkian leads two Travis County cases, including Slaughter Creek Jane Doe and Redbud Trail John Doe, a homeless man found hanging in 1998. The project's success is bittersweet, but it drives Kevorkian to provide answers for families:

"We do this for the families, who deserve answers ... and hopefully they can begin to heal." - Rhonda Kevorkian

Links:

• https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/06/gedmatch-police-genealogy-database/561695/