Also called: Investigative Genetic Genealogist
Uses DNA and family trees to identify criminals and unknown victims in cold cases.
Genetic genealogists upload crime-scene DNA to public databases, find distant cousins, and build huge family trees from records to narrow down to one suspect. This technique cracked the Golden State Killer case. Others find heirs for estates.
Estimate; often freelance or with firms like Othram.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Background in genealogy, genetics, or research; certificates in investigative genetic genealogy.
Ways in: Self-taught, Certification, 4-year college. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: Genetics, History, Biology, Criminal Justice.
Growing much faster than average. Rapidly growing new field.
Medium risk for 10 years. AI tools increasingly match DNA and build family trees, but demand is booming; case judgment and police work stay human.
Classes: AP Biology, History, Statistics, English.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.