Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy

The New Tool in Solving Cold Cases

Michelle Clark will present on Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which in the last few years, has helped investigators solve hundreds of cold cases nationwide. If you recall the “Golden Gate Serial Killer,” then you’ve already heard about this groundbreaking forensic tool. FIGG compares crime scene DNA profiles with those of people who have submitted their own information to publicly available databases and given permission for law enforcement to use them. By identifying genetic relatives and building family trees, investigators work to identify suspects and/or unidentified victims.

Michelle Clark is a Medicolegal Death Investigator for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s in Connecticut. She’s a former Crime Scene Technician for the Waterbury Police Department. Michelle is the case manager for all the unidentified deceased in the state of Connecticut and works closely with local, state and federal agencies on unidentified cold cases. Michelle was part of the Serial Killer Task Force that led to the discovery of seven victims buried behind a strip mall in New Britain. She was the lead investigator in the 1944 Hartford Circus Fire Exhumation in hopes to identify two women that perished in the fire who were never identified. Michelle was published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences for a cold case project where four cold case homicides were solved and was a two time presenter at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Conferences. She has a BS degree from the University of Hartford in Medical Technology and a Master’s degree in Forensic Science with a concentration in Advanced Investigations from the University of New Haven. She is board certified by ABMDI as a Medicolegal Death Investigator and board certified by ASCP in Medical Technology and Molecular Biology. Michelle received her certification from the University of New Haven in Forensic Genetic Genealogy in 2022. Michelle is an adjunct professor at the University of Hartford where she teaches Forensic Science and Cold Case Investigations. Michelle also lectures for the Connecticut State Police Academy and the Henry C. Lee Institute on Death Investigations. She is a member of MWA and Sisters in Crime, Guppy. In her spare time she sleeps.

January 18 @ 11:15 am – 12:15 pm

Program is free and open to the public.

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