Investigative Support

The Investigative Support Unit (ISU) is a separate, distinct entity from CHI casework laboratories. Staffed by investigators and genetic genealogists, and led by two directors, the ISU works with law enforcement, medicolegal, and other criminal justice agencies to provide leads/research, including forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), for unidentified human remains cases and unsolved violent crimes. The ISU also provides education and outreach to stakeholders in need of investigative support. While ISU Director Rob Moore leads the FGG services team, ISU Director Mark Pooley focuses on educational outreach and relationship building within rural, underserved, border, and indigenous populations.

The ISU, first of its kind in the public DNA lab arena, is designed as an integral facet of CHI?s ?one-stop shop? model to provide forensic DNA services without the need for outsourcing. The ISU supports law enforcement agencies in their endeavors to identify missing and unidentified persons through various DNA technologies, and forensic genetic genealogy research when needed. The ISU serves also as law enforcement?s direct point of contact for CHI services and processes, questions, and/or education. Upon request, ISU investigators and genetic genealogists will travel to Texas agencies to provide details about our available services and the technologies best-suited to their case needs.

Drawn from the practiced and proficient in their field, ISU genetic genealogists hold the expertise needed to perform in the evolving realm of FGG. Both ISU Directors Pooley and Moore retired from law enforcement with expertise in command and investigations, giving them the perspective to assist both genetic genealogists and law enforcement in navigating FGG. And, ISU investigators also possess investigative law enforcement experience to assist our genetic genealogists and stakeholders in FGG efforts.

Investigative Support Unit email: ISU@unthsc.edu