The article below reflects the personal opinions of the author(s) and does not reflect the views or opinions of the Perspectives editors or committee, or the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC).
In recent years, genetic counselors are more frequently transitioning from clinical roles to nontraditional settings. That said, forensics is not often discussed as a space where genetic counselors could fit, which is ironic given that it relies heavily on genetic studies.
After digging through archives and speaking with numerous people, I found that genetic counselors have contributed to forensics in unique ways — supporting large-scale investigations, lending expertise to forensics offices and even creating educational resources. These contributions, though deeply impactful, have been sporadic. Genetic counselors are deserving of a larger seat at the forensics table.
What Is Forensics?
Forensics refers to the use of science in law. Applications include narrowing down on crime perpetrators, postmortem medical examinations or identifying missing persons after mass fatality events. In addition to DNA studies, forensics involves disciplines like metallurgy and handwriting analysis.
The potential of DNA analysis in law enforcement was launched after Dr. Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester observed variability in minisatellite copy numbers. In his 1985 Nature article, he reported that these repeats “provide an individual-specific DNA ‘fingerprint’.”
Forensics incorporates DNA analysis in a context vastly different from what we are trained to do (e.g., clinical testing). That being said, genetic counselors have utilized their skills to successfully engage in important forensics work. A shining example of this would be in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Katrina — When Genetic Counselors Rose To The Call
After Hurricane Katrina impacted the coast of New Orleans, investigators from the National Human Genome Research Institute recruited volunteer genetic counselors and students to assist with family reunification efforts.
These volunteers challenged the historically clinic-oriented nature of genetic counseling skills. They relied on family history intake skills to collect accurate pedigrees, enabling identification of relatives feared to be missing. With their experience in genetic testing, volunteers assisted with sample collection for accurate person identification. Importantly, they employed psychosocial and grief counseling skills to support survivors who had faced immense trauma.
The volunteers described this experience as “some of the most important work any of us have ever done.”
Looking ahead, genetic counselors could be specially trained to assist in the aftermath of catastrophes.
Lending Expertise to Forensic Offices
Genetic counselors have provided professional expertise to the forensic field. I interviewed Rachel Mador-House, MS, MS, MBA, CGC, who has supported the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service’s Fellowship Training Program.
The prestigious Fellowship Program was invested in providing a cutting-edge curriculum and readily hosted Mador-House when she offered to do an in-person workshop on molecular autopsy. This refers to genetic testing done on a deceased person. With the help of case studies, such as sudden cardiac death or undiagnosed rare tumors, Mador-House elaborated on the role of genetic testing in autopsies to trainees. Her work underscores the value genetic counselors bring to forensics.
Interestingly, the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service employs a nurse who oversees health implications based on autopsy results. When results reveal familial risks, the nurse liaises with primary care providers to ensure that preventive care is provided to living relatives. The nurse also provides psychosocial support to families as they adapt to emergent health risks while grieving the deceased. You can guess where this is going — a genetic counselor would be a natural fit for this role!
Contributions to Education
I also connected with two newly graduated genetic counselors who have deepened our professional footprint in forensics.
Maggie Drohen, MS, who graduated from the University of Connecticut, worked on developing a free, self-paced online educational module on postmortem testing for her capstone. She is now partnering with NSGC to make this module available to genetic counselors from all specialties. The module covers topics ranging from clinical indications, sample types, workflows, common logistical barriers, considerations for relatives and ethical and psychosocial implications. She hopes that this module can equip genetic counselors to bridge the gap between clinical care and forensic investigations.
Olivia Benson, MS, graduate of Boston University, conducted her capstone on interviewing members of the Victim Identification Center and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response teams who respond to mass fatalities. Her research participants had never heard of a genetic counselor, but expressed that genetics expertise and counseling skills would greatly benefit such responses. This further builds the case for genetic counselors to tap into opportunities in disaster response offices.
Final Thoughts
As genetic counseling careers ramify past the clinic, it would serve our field well to build a new niche for our profession in forensics. But how?
The tried-and-tested art of networking comes into good use here. Mador-House recommends strategic actions like volunteering with groups in a field of interest, being involved with research projects, leveraging the power of LinkedIn and doing informational interviews. Other ideas include reaching out to local forensics offices to offer our expertise to their services and projects.
Given how genetic counselors adeptly supported family reunification efforts after Hurricane Katrina, perhaps it is also not a stretch to say that they will thrive in investigative genetic genealogy. This unique branch of forensics uses genealogy tools and public genomic databases to narrow down on crime perpetrators. Expertise in genetics knowledge, pedigree construction and data analysis are but some transferable skills that genetic counselors can bring to the table. To that end, genetic counselors could serve an important role in law enforcement, an area few have explored.
I hope I’ve convinced you that genetic counselors can dovetail our skills in forensics. Creative partnerships would pave a way forward in making forensics yet another professional home for us.
References
- Glynn C. L. (2022). Bridging Disciplines to Form a New One: The Emergence of Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Genes, 13(8), 1381. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13081381
- Jeffreys, A., Wilson, V. & Thein, S. Hypervariable ‘minisatellite’ regions in human DNA. Nature 314, 67–73 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/314067a0
- Saad R. (2005). Discovery, development, and current applications of DNA identity testing. Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center), 18(2), 130–133.
- https://doi.org/10.1080/08998280.2005.11928051
- Dieltjes, P., van de Wal, Y., Vos, M., Doodkorte, L., Weiler, N. E. C., van der Gaag, K. J., & Sijen, T. (2026). From cold case to conviction: How advanced DNA technologies such as mtDNA sequencing connected two brutal homicides. Forensic science international. Genetics, 82, 103407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2025.103407
- What is Forensic Science? (n.d.). American Academy of Forensic Science. https://www.aafs.org/careers-forensic-science/what-forensic-science
- Forensic Science. (n.d.). US Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/archives/dag/forensic-science
- Careers in Forensic Science. (n.d.). American Academy of Forensic Science. https://www.aafs.org/careers-forensic-science
Mallika Venkatramani, MS, LCGC Mallika Venkatramani, MS, LCGC, is a licensed and board-certified genetic counselor working in oncology at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Outside of her clinical work, Venkatramani is actively involved in various science communication efforts aimed at improving genetic counseling awareness. She earned her Master's of Science in Genetic Counseling from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is currently a member of the Perspectives Editorial Committee. Outside of professional work, Venkatramani enjoys traveling, hiking, cooking, baking and playing the South Indian bamboo flute.