Live Webinar · Friday, November 20 · 10 a.m. Arizona time
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
When FGG appears in your case, you need to know what the State did, what to demand in discovery, where the process can fail—and what isn’t worth fighting.
90-minute live training. No genealogy experience required. Built specifically for criminal defense attorneys.
The position you’re in
The State brings a confident conclusion. You need to find the holes.
Forensic genetic genealogy is showing up in more criminal cases every year. The State brings a lead built on SNP profiles, family trees, and database matches, and the file lands on your desk with a confident-sounding conclusion attached.
This training closes the gap — not to turn you into a genealogist, but to give you the working knowledge to read an FGG file critically, ask the right questions in discovery, and decide with confidence where to push and where to let it go. The goal is informed defense analysis: recognizing legitimate investigative work and the areas that deserve scrutiny, so you spend your time and your client’s money where it counts.
Built for the defense side of the table
- Read an FGG file critically — understand SNP profiling, database matching, and documentary genealogy without becoming a genealogist.
- Ask the right discovery questions — the records, logs, and chain-of-custody documents that expose careless work.
- Decide where to push and where to let it go — spend your time and your client’s money where it counts.
What you’ll learn
Seven outcomes, each one a decision you’ll be better equipped to make
- 01
Know what you’re actually looking at
The science and the process behind forensic genetic genealogy — SNP profiling, database matching, and documentary genealogy — explained in plain language a defense attorney can use.
- 02
Know where FGG enters the case
How and when investigative genetic genealogy enters a case file, from cold-case leads to unidentified remains, and what its presence signals about the investigation behind it.
- 03
Know what to demand in discovery
The specific records, reports, database logs, and chain-of-custody documents worth requesting in discovery when FGG is part of the State’s case.
- 04
Recognize the pressure points
The methodological pressure points — relationship ranges, endogamy, consent and database terms, exclusion of alternate candidates — where careful work and careless work diverge.
- 05
Know what probably isn’t worth fighting
Where the science is settled and a challenge is unlikely to move the court, so you can spend your time and your client’s money where it counts.
- 06
Learn from recent FGG cases
A grounded look at how FGG has played out in recent cases, what worked, what was challenged, and what it means for the matter in front of you.
- 07
Know when to call an expert
How to recognize the moment a case has crossed from “I can read this” into “I need someone who builds these trees,” and how to bring that expert in effectively.
You’ll leave with something you can use on your next FGG case
FGG Defense Case Triage Checklist
A practical checklist for reviewing an FGG file: what should be there, what to request, what deserves scrutiny, and when an expert may be necessary.
Included with registration
Recent case application
FGG in the headlines, on the defense side
- Bryan Kohberger
FGG discovery, litigation, and what the defense actually received
- Rex Heuermann
FGG in an active serial-murder prosecution
- Matthew Nilo
FGG discovery and defense challenges in pending litigation
What we examine in each case
- Issues with how FGG evidence was handled or challenged
- Gaps in discovery or investigative process
- Problems with vendor reports or genealogy database searches
- Police procedure or policy issues that came up
- Specific arguments that worked or didn’t work for the defense
About the instructor
Taught by someone who understands both sides of the file
Christine Burke is a retired police detective and sergeant, criminal-defense investigator, court-qualified law-enforcement expert, forensic genetic genealogist, and founder of Genetic Genealogy For Law Enforcement®. She built FGG training for investigators—and now teaches defense attorneys how to critically examine the work when it lands in their cases.
Retired police detective and sergeant
A career in law enforcement that grounds every analysis in how cases are actually investigated and worked.
Criminal-defense investigator since 2008
Nearly two decades inside defense work, understanding what attorneys need and how to deliver it.
Court-qualified police policy, procedure & culture expert
Court-qualified expertise on the standards agencies are held to and where they fall short.
Forensic genetic genealogist
Hands-on FGG work, including identifications larger vendors had walked away from.
Founder of Genetic Genealogy For Law Enforcement®
Built the first FGG training program designed specifically for law enforcement.
National Certified Instructor through IADLEST
A POST instructor teaching the curriculum she writes.
In attorneys’ words
What counsel says about Christine’s work
Christine is a highly skilled investigator whose experience, professionalism, and ability to achieve results are second to none. She is very dependable and a pleasure to work with. In addition to promptly completing whatever work is necessary and maintaining excellent communication, she is always willing to offer her valuable insight. My firm and my clients have benefited greatly from her work.
I have had the privilege of using Ms. Burke as an investigator for a number of my cases over the years. She is great to work with, is able to think outside of the box and is tenacious in getting the results and information I am looking for to translate into results for my clients. I am happy to recommend her to anyone who has the need for the services of an investigator.
Training details
The logistics
Date
Friday, November 20
Time
10 a.m. Arizona time
Format
Live 90-minute webinar
Platform
Delivered via Zoom
Live only — this training will not be recorded
The Friday morning schedule was intentionally selected with criminal-defense practice and court schedules in mind.
VIP Q&A
VIP registration includes a separate, private live Q&A with Christine, capped at 20 attorneys. VIP attendees receive a separate Q&A link in addition to the main webinar link, emailed ahead of the November 20 session.
Upcoming classes
Recurring live training — pick the date that fits your calendar
The same 90-minute live FGG training for criminal defense attorneys runs each month. Every session covers the same material, so choose whichever upcoming date works best for you.
October 2026
Friday, October 16, 2026
10:00 a.m. Arizona time · Live online · Zoom
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
The same live 90-minute training, with a fresh look at the most recent FGG case developments and discovery issues.
November 2026
Friday, November 20, 2026
10:00 a.m. Arizona time · Live online · Zoom
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Live 90-minute session covering FGG methodology, pressure points, and the triage checklist for defense attorneys.
December 2026
Friday, December 18, 2026
10:00 a.m. Arizona time · Live online · Zoom
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Year-end live session — same core training plus a review of the year’s significant FGG cases and lessons for the defense.
January 2027
Friday, January 15, 2027
10:00 a.m. Arizona time · Live online · Zoom
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Start the year prepared. Live 90-minute training on reading FGG files, discovery demands, and when to call an expert.
February 2027
Friday, February 19, 2027
10:00 a.m. Arizona time · Live online · Zoom
Forensic Genetic Genealogy Training for Criminal Defense Attorneys
Live 90-minute training with the FGG Defense Case Triage Checklist, built for criminal defense attorneys.
Pricing & registration
Choose your tier and register
Choose a tier to select your upcoming class date and complete payment. The FGG Defense Case Triage Checklist and Zoom access details follow once payment is confirmed.
- Live 90-minute training webinar
- FGG Defense Case Triage Checklist
- Live Zoom access
- Everything in Regular
- Separate live Q&A with Christine
- Limited to 20 attorneys
Choosing a tier takes you to the registration page, where you select your upcoming class date and complete payment through the secure PayPal checkout. After payment is confirmed, the FGG Defense Case Triage Checklist and Zoom access details are sent ahead of the live event. This training will not be recorded.
FAQ
Common questions
No. This training is designed to give criminal defense attorneys working knowledge of FGG, not turn them into genealogists.
No. The focus is understanding and critically evaluating the investigative FGG process, discovery, methodology, and issues that matter to the defense.
Yes. The training is designed to help you recognize FGG when it appears, understand what should be in the file, know what to request, and identify when further scrutiny or expert assistance may be warranted.
No. This is a live-only training. The session is designed for attorneys to attend and engage in real time.
The Friday morning schedule was intentionally selected with criminal-defense practice in mind, when many attorneys may have greater flexibility in their court calendars.
Reserve your spot for November 20 at 10 a.m. Arizona time
Live 90-minute FGG training for criminal defense attorneys. Regular $197 | VIP $247.