The Forensic Genetic Genealogy Certificate Program
Our unique program offers the following instruction:
Genealogy Foundations
Our Genealogy Foundations section offers training in genealogical research to include an
in-depth understanding of genealogy and terms associated with it,
learning and implementing the Genealogical Proof Standard, finding and
utilizing various sources for genealogical records and how they are
utilized in Genetic Genealogy, including the basics of genealogy, which resources are available, including paid versus free options, discussing family history as it has evolved, and more.
- 30 Lessons: Over 7.5 hours of recorded video lessons, Four Practical Exercises to enhance your knowledge of Tree Building, How To Find And Use Genealogical Resources such as the Census, Military, Birth/Death Records and more.
Genetics Foundations
Our DNA makes us and we are learning more and more about the science, the technology and what it can tell us - about ourselves and others. Our Genetics Foundations section provides training in the various aspects of genetics,
including heredity patterns, and how this inheritance through
generations of people impacts and is utilized in Genetic Genealogy. We discuss heredity, chromosomes and measuring tools that will assist us in our work.
- 15 Lessons: 2.75 Hours of recorded video lessons, including discussions on Most Recent Common Ancestors (MRCA) and common resources available.
Core Genetic Genealogy Fundamentals
Our Core Genetic Genealogy Curriculum is an intense, hands-on approach, which enables the student to quickly get results, learning and demonstrating competence through focused exercises. These include, but are not limited to, tree building, identifying and utilizing paternal versus maternal matches, organizing DNA matches, identifying and using most common recent ancestors (MRCA), use of Centimorgan relationships, genealogical records and our own Roadmap (TM) system to aid in
identifying subjects of interest.
- 8 Lessons: Four video lessons totaling 1.5 hours, two written lessons, with visuals, outlining my method for finding your person of interest including methods to verify accuracy. Includes Practical Exercises to determine MRCA, using Clusters, WATO and genealogical records and the final Practical Exercise determining a person of interest using genetic matches from start to finish.
Biological Family Casework Section
Our Core Genetic Genealogy Curriculum is supplemented with Biological Family Cases Curriculum. This too includes hands-on work with a focus on the relationship and its impact on those participating in this work. These training sections are focused on familial relationship determination for Adoptees and Non-Parent Expected (NPE) casework. This section looks at the relationship genealogical records may play versus the family stories and what the DNA really tells us. This section also trains the student to recognize, understand, and sympathize with various DNA relatives, who they may encounter, who may consider themselves victims, so they may interact with them in a respectful manner. The student will also be able to understand and implement potential ethical and moral situations with all parties involved.
Law Enforcement Casework Section
Our Core Genetic Genealogy Curriculum is supplemented with Law Enforcement Cases Curriculum. In this section students will learn about
law enforcement investigations in general and methods as they relate to the use of
Genetic Genealogy. These training areas are focused on the law enforcement Genetic Genealogy investigation, and the tools and investigative areas specifically approved for law enforcement use.
- 7 Lessons including a .5 hour video lesson.
Privacy, Ethics and Psychological Aspects
Because of the human connection to this
technology, students will learn where the use may interact with privacy
concerns, ethical considerations and the emotional component of those
who may become part of its' use. Our program includes impact and
strategies from a trauma counselor who is an NPE and helps those
experiencing identity issues. Genetic genealogy investigations encompass many areas of research including government databases, commercial databases, family histories, biological data and personal histories and relationships. I personally know the pitfalls of trying to interact in these areas and found the sensitivity lacking. Through the Privacy, Ethics and Psychological Aspects section, I aim to ensure that our Forensic Genetic Genealogists, if they have not had the experience themselves, deeply understand the nature of the work and the ramifications that may come with these cases. I also want graduates to be able to understand and deal appropriately with the myriad of emotions that may arise. It is not just that the work is fascinating or interesting but instead impacting people's lives, potentially resulting in court cases and revealing long held secrets.
- 8 Lessons including 1.5 hours of video lessons.
Business and Employment Opportunities Section
Our Core Genetic Genealogy Curriculum is supplemented with sections on Business development and Employment opportunities for genetic genealogists. Some of the areas include business startup, marketing, and genetic genealogy job preparation and hiring resources. In supporting law enforcement or
biological family, the genetic genealogist receives professional
guidance on starting and running their business, should they choose to
do so, or how to present themselves professionally and represent their
skills properly.
- 48 Lessons: Over 2 hours of video lessons on Business Operations such as Business Plans, Marketing, Product Creation, Service Offerings, Google, and more. With 3 practical exercises for client skills presentation, employer interviewing, client outreach and building your experience/skill-set.
Bonus Section: Report Writing
- 20 minute video lesson with examples
Live Training Sessions, Private Community and Virtual Support
- At least one monthly live session which normally runs between one to two hours. 24/7 email and messaging support.
Your Instructor: Christine Burke
As a student of our Program, you gain access to the Everything Genetic Genealogy online Community as well as our private, community specifically for current and graduate students. Here you will be able to get help, support each other and research in the industry along with like-minded and career focused members. You also get one on one support from Forensic Genetic Genealogist Christine Burke via email, Community Chat and during group live training/feedback sessions.
Christine is uniquely qualified to provide this certificate training due to her experience on all sides of the equation, including:
- She has been a law enforcement instructor since 2010 and an International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) instructor since 2020.
- She worked as a police officer, major case detective, and sergeant.
- In 2020 she developed a specific genetic genealogy course for law enforcement and has been instructing federal agents, tribal officers, local police and crime lab personnel to do so.
- She is the recipient of her own "DNA Drama" and since 2017 has spent her time learning as much as possible about genealogy and genetics through finding her biological family and members of others, including adoptees and NPEs (Non-Parent Expected).
- In Arizona, Christine was a Certified Confidential Intermediary working with adoptees, coordinating through the courts, to find their biological family.
- Her Genetic Genealogy For Law Enforcement course has been approved for Nevada police officers to receive Nevada P.O.S.T. continuing education credit.
- She has held many licenses herself, through the State of Arizona as a Private Investigator and Agency owner; through the State of Nevada as a Private Investigator and Agency owner; in Oklahoma as a Private Investigator and Agency owner and as an Arizona Certified Private Process Server and is familiar with administrative bodies and their processes.
- Christine found a need to assist Arizona Private Process Servers successfully pass the tough Arizona Private Process Server licensing exam and created her own licensing prep course
- She also created several approved Arizona Private Process Server Continuing Education (CE) classes for certification through the Arizona Supreme Court licensing division.
- Christine has worked as a criminal defense investigator since 2008 and knows her way around the court system. She also knows what it takes to make and defend a successful case.
- In 2019 Christine became a court-qualified law enforcement expert witness reviewing and evaluating the conduct of police officers.
- In 2013, she created and launched her own online school, ContinuingEducationAndTraining.com, and is familiar with the requirements for a successful online learning environment.
- Christine has taught at the community colleges and university level.
- She holds a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice/Psychology and a Master's in Organizational Management.
- Most of all, she wants YOU to share in her Passion With A Purpose!
Who Is Eligible For Our Program?
As a student in the program, you get access to Christine in a number of ways, including direct messaging, emails, a private group for the professional genetic genealogist students and live training, usually held monthly.
How And When Are Classes Held?
This course is open to all who are interested in becoming a Forensic Genetic Genealogist who may not have any formal or informal experience working in genealogy, genetics or both. I predict, that due to the ever increasing interesting in personal genetic genealogy and its use in law enforcement, this will emerge as a growing area pof professional expertise.
It has been my experience, as a recipient of DNA results that needed more interpretation, there is an absence of qualified professionals to help. Too, with the backlog of cold cases, and the shortage of trained law enforcement personnel, working as a genetic genealogist enables you to be a game changer! In fact, that's why I recommend to the police agencies that the train one investigator along with a civilian genetic genealogist. The civilian employee with be the one working the majority of the cases, then turn it over to the sworn investigator as it gets closer to positive identification and arrest. In fact, this plan is currently being embraced by at least one District Attorney Investigative office and they are growing!
Is Financial Aid Available?
We currently offer several options to our students such as installment payments, and payment processor options like PayPal's Bill Me Later program. Please contact us to determine the best option for you so you can start immediately!
Classes are online and are self-paced. That means that you go at the speed that YOU choose, in the order that you choose. Your competency in the individual sections will be tested as you go and of course, certification awarded upon successfully meeting our standards. Our training "classroom" is available anywhere there is internet, on your phone, on your tablet, on your PC or on your TV, if enabled.
How Do I Know If This Is The Right Course For Me?
We want you to spend your time and money on the things that will make you happy, deliver results and help you on your way to fulfilling work following your passion. Please use our Contact Us page with any other questions.
How Do I Register?
Our Stand-alone Industry Specific Training
If you are not interested in immediate or eventual certification as a Forensic Genetic Genealogist you may be interested in one of our Industry Specific Core Programs shown below. These are in the areas of Biological Family searches and Law Enforcement casework.
The Route To Your Roots (TM) Training Program
The Route To Your Roots (TM) is a course for those who are looking for their biological family to quickly and easily identify DNA relatives, build their family tree and learn who they are and where they come from. Our Roadmap (TM) is the quickest way to understand where to focus and how to get their quickly. This course is stand-alone and does not, in itself, qualify for our Forensic Genetic Genealogist program. Contact us to Register.
Genetic Genealogy For Law Enforcement Training Class
This course is currently taught to our sworn police personnel, police support staff and law enforcement crime laboratory staff. With this course, officers can learn to quickly identify a suspect of interest or unidentified human remains. In this class, the parameters encompassing the police use of information available is taught as well as the databases and technology open to them. This class is currently being taught to our local, state, tribal and federal agents and police academy personnel. It is available for P.O.S.T. credit in the state of Nevada. This is a live, online course with 16 hours of CE credit, More information here.
What People Have To Say....
"Christine is personally invested in us and in making the course work for each of us, in spite of each person's different styles of learning."
"I have found the class work challenging and very worthwhile, learning new processes along the way. I feel it is teaching me exactly what I need to know in order to be helpful in others' searches."
After months of looking for a new career that would consolidate my diverse research and writing skills, I discovered the Forensic Genetic Genealogist program!
The many curricular factors that define the course have ended up challenging me even MORE than what I was looking for. In addition, I am being provided with:
- a practical hands-on approach to learning,
- guidance and mentorship,
- entrepreneurial business advice,
- a sense of unity and kinship among my peers,
- the ability to help people on a higher level than in my previous careers,
- a renewed sense of purpose, and
- an up-to-date assortment of fascinating job leads (with a compelling need to fill positions across the country).
"I loved that I could afford the course, and I could finish at my own pace since I work full time."
"I am learning something entirely new in my life at the age of 64! I plan to continue this path and see it through so that I can be productive, even as I leave the workplace where I have been. Retirement does not mean I am not going to be helpful to others!"
"I see now that the GG field will give me a much higher sense of purpose in helping others than I had experienced in previous occupations. In fact, I feel as though this is what I have been searching for all of my adult life. I am also very encouraged because it brings together so many other skills I have perfected over the years (e.g., research, writing, referencing, and organizing). Besides employment, the course has also gotten me thinking more long-term about the possibility of eventually starting my own business."
