DNA has a way of feeling powerful. A test kit can unlock answers that records never could. It can connect people, reveal long-held truths, and sometimes change how someone understands their own story. Because of that power, ethical boundaries are not optional in DNA and genetic genealogy. They are essential. Without them, DNA research can cause real harm, even when the intentions are good. DNA Is Not Just Data When we work with DNA, we are not working with neutral information

And How I Approach Uncertain Outcomes One of the hardest truths about DNA work is this: Not every case ends with a clear answer. If you are starting a DNA search, especially one involving unknown parentage or missing family connections, it is natural to assume that DNA will eventually reveal everything. After all, DNA feels definitive. Scientific. Certain. But real-world DNA analysis does not always work that way. Why Some DNA Cases Remain Unresolved DNA does not exist in a v

One of the first questions people ask when starting a DNA investigation is simple and completely understandable. “How long will this take?” The honest answer is that DNA investigations do not follow a fixed timeline. Some cases move quickly. Others unfold slowly, in layers. Most fall somewhere in between. Understanding why timelines vary can help reduce frustration and set realistic expectations from the beginning. Why DNA Investigations Do Not Have a Set Timeline DNA analys

When someone reaches out because they don’t know who one of their biological parents is, the details are always unique. Every story has its own history, emotions, and unanswered questions. And yet, after working many of these cases, certain patterns appear again and again. Not because people are the same, but because human stories tend to echo one another in quiet ways. Here are some of the most common patterns I see in unknown parentage cases and why recognizing them can ma

At some point in a DNA investigation, the list of matches stops being helpful on its own. You may have dozens, or even hundreds, of matches. Names, usernames, shared centimorgans, and trees. Plenty of information, but no clear direction. Everything feels scattered, and it can be hard to tell which connections actually matter. This is often the moment when cluster analysis becomes the turning point. When Individual Matches Are Not Enough Looking at DNA matches one by one can

When people first look at their DNA match list, it often feels overwhelming. Hundreds or thousands of names appear, most of them unfamiliar, and all with different amounts of shared DNA. It is easy to assume that the biggest numbers matter most and that smaller matches can wait. In practice, some matches stand out right away. Not because they are closer relatives, but because they offer clearer, faster insight into where your DNA comes from. Shared DNA Is Only the Starting Po