The Intersection of Forensic Genealogy & Neuropsychology

                

Early clinical, neuropsychological and imaging findings
                     Brain, Volume 123, Issue 5, May 2000, Pages 975–991

Brain

I was asked to join a groundbreaking think tank exploring how forensic genealogy and neuropsychology can work together to solve complex cases and better understand human behavior.

Forensic genealogy has revolutionized how we uncover identities, solve mysteries, and tell forgotten stories. Neuropsychology, on the other hand, focuses on the brain’s relationship to behavior and cognitive function. At first glance, these two fields may seem worlds apart.  Most people "cock" their heads with bewilderment, as to how these two displines intersect.  But in today’s world of interdisciplinary collaboration, their intersection is both natural and necessary.

By combining the precision of DNA science practiced which is analyzed by the forensic genealogists, with the insights of brain science, we can approach forensic challenges with greater sensitivity, accuracy, and humanity. It's not just about solving puzzles; it's about doing so in a way that honors people and the families affected.

Where the Fields Meet

1.  Memory and Identity:

It was this book that got me connected with one of my favorite neuropsychology cases. As mentioned, it was a think tank. The first lesson learned as the forensic genealogist on the team was Psychogenealogy  is NOT Neuropsychology plus Genealogy. The warning was strong and repeated about 5 times in the first meeting that I though "are you sure?" What's with the repeated warnings? 

It appears Psychogenealogy was too foo-foo for this group. I get it. But I was fascinated anyway. And personally, I see both the reason for the merging tendency and the fascination of both. 

Neuropsychology helps us understand how memories are formed, stored, and sometimes lost. In forensic genealogy, especially in cases of adoption, unknown parentage, or trauma, understanding the workings of memory can offer crucial context for missing or fragmented family histories.

Imagine Maria, a 52-year-old woman searching for her birth parents. DNA testing led us to several strong matches, but Maria had very few childhood memories, and almost none from her early years in foster care.

Neuropsychology teaches us that early trauma can disrupt memory formation. Therefore, gaps in her recollections are expected. In this case, forensic genealogy leaned heavily on genetic triangulation and archival research to reconstruct her family story, while neuropsychological insights could guide therapeutic approaches to support Maria’s emotional processing of her newly uncovered history.

As the forensic genealogist builds the external factual story using DNA matches, documents, and genetic triangulation to reconstruct Maria’s biological family. The neuropsychologist interprets internal cognitive patterns (e.g., why Maria doesn’t remember things, or why recalling them now causes distress).

Usually, the next question asked is: How do these two disciplines interact as a team? 
They’re directly collaborating: the genealogist informs therapeutic work, and the neuropsychologist guides how genealogical findings are introduced. The neuropsychologist might usually request specific genealogical findings (like birth order, early caregivers, etc.) to fill in emotional gaps that help memory recovery or therapy.

2. Trauma and Family Secrets

BBC, Aug 2024

Families often bury difficult histories. 
Let's take James, a 30-year-old man, as an example. James came to us after finding a mysterious DNA match listed as "half-sibling." His family had never mentioned another child. Digging deeper, we found that during a particularly stressful time in James’ mother's life, a period marked by severe depression,  she had placed a child for adoption.

The forensic genealogist confirmed the biological relationship and uncovered the adoption history through DNA analysis and records. Due to James' and his family's reaction when he reached out to the forensic genealogist (me), a neuropsychologist was engaged to support James' and his family's emotional reactions while the genealogist provided the verified facts.

This is part of the forensic genealogist's job. We don't just "hand over" shocking information. We may have to coordinate with a neuropsychologist to prepare the family emotionally. In James' case his mother had suppressed that time in her life. 

3.  Cognitive Bias and DNA Analysis

What we learned early with DNA, is the attachment people have to their "presumed" heritage. "I'm Native American." "I'm Irish." "I'm German." "There's no way I'm Jewish, I was raised Catholic." Oh my, we've heard it all. So let's review the case of Robert, who believed he was Irish. His DNA results placed him with a high percentage of Eastern European ancestry. Yes, Robert struggled emotionally to accept the graphic! It didn't help that it was in March!

As genealogists, we work with data. Of course, there are theories of how biases are formed, but we look at historical documents, cultural and community influences, and political and social impacts on the ancestors' choices. Neuropsychologists, on the other hand,  are experts at examining how cognitive biases form. 

 

In the case involving Robert,  I interpreted this new evidence through the lens of what I already believed. But, our neuropsychological partner shifted my practice to present findings to Robert, and others who were loyal to their family's "folklore." The strong suggestion was for me to focus on the fascinating story behind migration patterns rather than simply proving he was wrong. 

Whereas the forensic genealogist who identifies and documents ancestry based on genetic evidence and historical data, our neuropsychologist partner advised us on cognitive biases that were causing Robert's resistance. It only took the case of Robert to recognize this level of identity through folklore. So, instead of pushing raw facts, we integrate new information, knowing that the loyalty to a belief system is real.  

Robert was eventually able to accept a new self-narrative.

4. Ethical Implications in Unidentified Remains Cases
At a3Genealogy we do not work to identify "Jane Doe" or on cold cases.  We do know neuropsychologists who have worked on these cases. 

We have worked, however, directly with lawyers and agencies to evaluate the accuracy of facts, and to identify genealogical related holes in legal cases before the lawyers go to trial or court. One case involved two sisters who wanted to prove they were children of an extremely wealthy family. Their mother worked for the family business. However, the close family smelled a "rat" and would not take a DNA test to prove or disprove they were half-siblings. So, we could see the family relationship using DNA (2nd cousins)  but they neded to prove a particular brother, and the DNA proffered was not within the law. Most jurisdictions require that inheritance rights are proven through close relatives - spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and their descendants. 

Genealogists don't just "solve the case"; they work alongside neuropsychologists to ethically and compassionately deliver results that profoundly affect real people's lives.

Updated Sep 2024