terms of service

INNOVATIVE FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Prior to start of services of Innovative Forensic Investigations, all Investigative Agencies (“Agency”) must read and agree to the following terms and conditions which shall be legally binding terms:

Innovative Forensic Investigations assists law enforcement and other agencies in investigating cases through the use of investigative genetic genealogy and private investigation. In providing services, single nucleotide polymorphisms, also known as “SNPS” are examined to compare shared blocks of DNA between forensic samples provided by the Agency through designated laboratories and potential relatives of the forensic sample using investigative genetic genealogy. Comparisons are made from researching and investigating the number of “cMs” shared between the forensic sample and potential relative(s) for the purpose of generating leads of subjects for the Agency to investigate further.

Public record websites may be used to verify the potential relatives of the forensic sample only in such ways to determine the geographical location of potential relatives and other research necessary as it relates to the Agency’s case and possible identification of the forensic sample. Websites which provide genetic genealogy services are only used if such website has provided explicit notice to its users their website may be used for law enforcement purposes, or the user has the option to consent to have their profile or information used for law enforcement purposes.

Any third-party samples received to advance the agency’s investigation shall only be uploaded to appropriate genealogical databases in accordance with the databases policies and comply with any federal laws and/or the agency’s state laws and local procedures. Samples will not be used to determine any sample donor’s genetic predisposition for disease or any other medical condition or psychological trait.

When seeking the assistance of Innovative Forensic Investigations, an Agency acknowledges and agrees that prior to seeking such services it has exhausted all other resources in creating a lead with the forensic sample including but not limited to: 1) uploads of the sample into CODIS and any subsequent searches of CODIS have failed to produce a “probative and confirmed DNA match”, 2) all other reasonable investigative leads have been pursued and have failed to assist the agency in solving the case, and 3) when necessary the agency has uploaded relevant case information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program national database. The Agency further acknowledges it is seeking the services of Innovative Forensic Investigations for either: a) an unsolved violent crime, b) unidentified human remains, c) sexual assault crime, or d) a case where the circumstances surrounding the criminal act(s) present a substantial and ongoing threat to public safety or national security.

No information shall be disclosed to any person or organization outside of Innovative Forensic Investigations without the consent of the Agency or to comply with state or federal law. All information shall be deemed confidential except such information that is or becomes publicly available.

Innovative Forensic Investigations offers SMS text messaging services to help Agencies stay informed with important updates regarding on going cases. These updates are offered at no extra charge from Innovative Forensic Investigations, but standard message and data rates may apply. By hiring Innovative Forensic Investigations, an Agency consents to the use of this SMS text messaging service with the contact information provided. This additional service may be opted out at any time through written notice to Innovative Forensic Investigations.