DNA Doe Project - General Discussion #3

[cheemsg]

Is there a 'for dummies', explain it to me like I'm five, what it all means guide to the numbers? I feel like I should learn more about what it all means, because I look at the spreadsheets, and my eyes just cross, every time. I have no idea what it all means, and I want to get excited like you all do whenever the numbers get bigger for a Doe.

I believe the bigger the number the closer the genetic match is, so if they tested DNA between you and I the number would be really low. But if they tested DNA between me and my mom, it would be super high. I think 508 would mean they had a DNA match that was a very close relative.

 

[iamshadow21]

I believe the bigger the number the closer the genetic match is, so if they tested DNA between you and I the number would be really low. But if they tested DNA between me and my mom, it would be super high. I think 508 would mean they had a DNA match that was a very close relative.

I think I'd got that far, but in the past I'd seen people excited because certain numbers could mean certain degrees of relation, like second cousin or something, barring lots of endogamy. I don't know what the numbers mean, just that higher is better.

 

[Caring1]

I had the same question. What is cm and what are the levels that determine close vs distant relatives. I had found this chart which helped me put it all into perspective. I will include the link as well. It’s very informative.

Untangling the Centimorgans on Your DNA Test • FamilySearch

Understanding what centimorgans are and viewing how they are measured on a centimorgan chart can help you make sense of your DNA results.

www.familysearch.org

 

[iamshadow21]

I had the same question. What is cm and what are the levels that determine close vs distant relatives. I had found this chart which helped me put it all into perspective. I will include the link as well. It’s very informative.

View attachment 398865

Untangling the Centimorgans on Your DNA Test • FamilySearch

Understanding what centimorgans are and viewing how they are measured on a centimorgan chart can help you make sense of your DNA results.

www.familysearch.org

Oh, wow, that is so helpful. My autistic/ADHD brain thanks you deeply - the colour coding is exactly what I need and made sense of it in a way I hadn't grasped before. I am going to save that graphic and the article and study them. I am truly grateful.

 

[djanga]

Also, Travis County John Doe has been added to the spreadsheet with the highest match of cM 150,5
Actually, as we know his Namus profile was already removed. Here is his page on the DDP website:

Travis County John Doe 2021 | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org

 

[djanga]

New article about Grundy County Jane Doe

Unidentified woman murdered in 1976 in Illinois appears to have Cincinnati connection

local12.com

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3374468809478547

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3375212342737527

 

[doggybag2355]

I wish they would spotlight some cases like Rockledge Jane Doe. If I recall she has low matches and very little information about her has been shared

 

[snowgoose]

I love the new thing where they let you know if you're a match to the featured case of the month. I just learned of it recently and haven't been a match to any so far, but it's a really cool feature.

What I'd really love is a way to compare your DNA to all the DDP cases. I bet I'd be a distant match with at least one of them, but I'd love to know right now instead of waiting for the new case each month! I'd happily donate in exchange for this service - if DDP were willing to do it, I bet it would be a great fundraiser.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3376694449255983

 

[djanga]

I am wondering if Mecklenburg John Doe and Mercer Island John Doe were two of DDP’s hispanic John Does identified in 2022. They have mentioned that although hispanic cases were difficult, they were able to identify a few Does of hispanic ancestry. In both cases the Oracle admixture showed hispanic ancestry, although first it was thought Mecklenburg John Doe was Caucasian and Mercer County John Doe asian:

Mercer Island John Doe 2018 | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org

Mecklenburg John Doe 2008 | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org

The admixtures are published on the speadsheet

 

[djanga]

BCA uses DNA to identify victims in cold cases

On March 13, 1981, a highway worker found skeletal remains of a man near a culvert along Interstate 90 in Rock County, Minnesota. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the man’s identity

www.messagemedia.co

New article about the Minnesota cases, this state has 42 unidentified persons. The article tells te story of a recent identification of Louis Anthony Gattaino. The DDP are now working on a few other cases from Minnesota. from the article:

The remains of 42 people found over the years in Minnesota are still unidentified. There are also 122 people who are considered long-term missing persons, missing since before the advent of DNA testing. It is entirely possible that some of the long-term missing people are among the 42 unidentified remains, but more information is needed and DNA from their family members to find out.”

 

[doggybag2355]

BCA uses DNA to identify victims in cold cases

On March 13, 1981, a highway worker found skeletal remains of a man near a culvert along Interstate 90 in Rock County, Minnesota. Despite an exhaustive investigation, the man’s identity

www.messagemedia.co

New article about the Minnesota cases, this state has 42 unidentified persons. The article tells te story of a recent identification of Louis Anthony Gattaino. The DDP are now working on a few other cases from Minnesota. from the article:

The remains of 42 people found over the years in Minnesota are still unidentified. There are also 122 people who are considered long-term missing persons, missing since before the advent of DNA testing. It is entirely possible that some of the long-term missing people are among the 42 unidentified remains, but more information is needed and DNA from their family members to find out.”

Minnesota I remember was a minor headache with adding cases to the UID wiki, a good 10 or so cases are just Ramsey County cataloging cases that have no information whatsoever.

 

[doggybag2355]

Have there been any Facebook post update? I haven’t seen the pinned post in a very long time since it’s not pinned anymore

 

[doggybag2355]

Hardin County John Doe was identified:

 

[John/Jane Doe]

Hardin County John Doe was identified:

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3379042825687812

 

[John/Jane Doe]

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3379042825687812

https://www.facebook.com/2011009255824516/posts/3379096659015762

 

[DSCrime]

Can someone explain to me in simple terms what "pedigree collapse" is?

From DDP:

Hardin Co John Doe 2006 - DNA Doe Project Cases

In 2021, the Hardin County Coroner’s Office contacted the DNA Doe Project to request help identifying the man and a biological sample from his remains was sent to the lab for processing. After seven months of complex, specialized laboratory testing, volunteer investigative genetic genealogists began the work to identify the man by analyzing his genetic matches and building his family tree.


“We had some challenges in this case – a bit of pedigree collapse – but we had a great team that came together to overcome them.” said team leader Rhonda Kevorkian. “There were some good clues to follow that brought everything together in just the right way.”


“We had a male DNA match who was also a good sized X-match, and since two males can only match through the X-path on their maternal lines, this was a huge help in this case,” said team leader Tracie Boyle. “Once we had a candidate and could confirm that the X-path lined up, that helped solidify our findings.”

 

[djanga]

I wish next featured case of the month was Vernon County Jane Doe, she is one of the DDP’s oldest cases

Vernon County Jane Doe | DNA Doe Project

dnadoeproject.org