Compliance & Ethics

Core Ethical Principles 

• Transparency: Documented, reproducible methodologies and sources.

• Informed Consent: Data used only with proper consent; participants can withdraw at any time.

• Data Security: Sensitive information stored securely, with restricted access.

• Scientific Integrity: Analyses based on verifiable data and established best practices.

• Lawful Use: No unauthorized or illegal use of data.

• Conflict of Interest: Staff and collaborators disclose potential conflicts and recuse as necessary.

All practices are aligned with the IGGAB Code of Professional Ethics and Professional Standards.

INFORMED CONSENT PRACTICES

All genetic or personal data used in projects is collected only after documented consent. Consent materials clearly outline:

• Purpose & Scope: Project objectives (e.g., kinship research or investigative analysis)

• Data Use & Retention: How data is stored, secured, and retained or destroyed

• Incidental Findings: Handling of unexpected relationships or discoveries

• Right to Withdraw: Participants can withdraw consent; data will be destroyed unless retained under legal authority

Example: Family reference samples for unidentified remains investigations include a written consent form describing scope, withdrawal rights, and secure data destruction procedures.

Private Client confidentiality

Information provided by private clients for genealogical or kinship research is strictly confidential. It will not be shared with law enforcement, external agencies, or third parties, except when legally required, such as in response to a valid subpoena or court order.

This ensures private clients’ data is protected while maintaining legal compliance.

Professional Competence & Background Screening

• All staff, contractors, and collaborators undergo professional background checks before engagement.

• Ongoing training ensures personnel maintain current knowledge of investigative genetic genealogy, privacy, and ethical standards.

• Staff are encouraged to pursue IGGAB accreditation and continuing education, aligning internal practices with professional standards.

Case Eligibility

• Investigative projects conducted only under defined circumstances:

  • Unsolved violent crimes (homicide, sexual assault)

  • Unidentified human remains investigations

  • Substantial and ongoing public safety or national security threats

• Private genealogical work follows the same ethical standards but does not involve law enforcement database searches

Confidentiality & Collaboration

• NDAs: Used with all collaborators, laboratories, and agencies

• Law Enforcement Collaboration: Only authorized with formal requests, proper approvals, and compliance with database Terms of Service

• Chain of Custody: Documentation and data maintained securely and traceably

Law Enforcement and Investigative Protocols

Friar Genealogical Research LLC works cooperatively with authorized law-enforcement agencies and medical examiners’ offices while maintaining strict confidentiality, data security, and ethical boundaries.

All law-enforcement collaborations follow these standards:

• Authorization: All casework must be formally requested or approved by the responsible investigative or medical authority.

• Non-Disclosure: Case data is shared only with authorized parties under signed confidentiality agreements.

• Database Compliance: Friar Research does not upload law enforcement or official investigative profiles to public databases. Any uploads to external databases (e.g., GEDmatch, FTDNA) are limited to voluntary, consented reference samples submitted by private individuals or authorized participants, in accordance with the platform’s Terms of Service.

• Chain of Custody: Case documentation, communications, and digital files are maintained securely and traceably throughout the investigation.

Unidentified Remains and NamUs Compliance

Friar Genealogical Research LLC follows recognized best practices and applicable federal guidance regarding unidentified human remains (UHR) cases.

Before any Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) analysis begins, the case must be verified as officially documented within the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) or an equivalent jurisdictional database.

This policy ensures that each case handled under FIGG protocols has:

• A documented case number and verified controlling agency of record;

• Proper chain of custody established through a recognized investigative or medical authority; and

• Written authorization for the release and analysis of forensic data.

No FIGG work is performed on unidentified remains that have not been entered or verified in NamUs or a comparable database. This process safeguards case integrity, ensures compliance with database Terms of Service, and upholds the ethical and professional standards of Friar Genealogical Research LLC.

All supporting documentation, including NamUs case ID and agency authorization, is retained as part of the secure case record.

FGG DATA TRANSITION AND RETENTION POLICIES

FGG Data Transition Upon Arrest or Charge
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Justice Interim Policy on Forensic Genetic Genealogical DNA Analysis, once a suspect has been identified and formally charged, Friar Genealogical Research, LLC ensures that all investigative genealogical data, working files, and derivative analytical outputs are transitioned under the control of the responsible law enforcement agency. Any subsequent retention, destruction, or archival of the official evidence is determined and documented by that agency in compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, and DOJ guidance.

If No Arrest or Charge Occurs:
If an FGG investigation does not result in an arrest or criminal charges, all third-party reference samples, derivative FGG profiles, and associated data are retained only under the authority of the investigative agency and are destroyed in accordance with applicable government and agency retention policies.

Internal Record Retention
Friar Genealogical Research, LLC retains all investigative genealogical data, working files, and research outputs for a minimum of seven (7) years after the date of case closure or the last case activity. After this period, the data will be securely destroyed or anonymized in accordance with our data-destruction procedures, unless a longer retention period is required by contract, court order, or agency instruction.

Separation from Official Evidence
Retention of biological evidence, DNA profiles, or other official forensic materials by law enforcement or courts is governed exclusively by the applicable agency or court requirements. Friar Research maintains compliance with all documented transition instructions but does not control the statutory retention of official evidence.

Federal Contractor Registration

Registered with SAM.gov as a federal contractor, confirming compliance with government standards for vendor verification, data handling, and ethical conduct.

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