Forensic Research

What is Forensic Genealogy and what is a Forensic Genealogist?

Forensic Genealogy is the part of genealogy that employs in-depth research and analysis techniques in legal cases such as needed by attorneys and others in cases with legal implications. The research is done by a highly confidential, qualified, unbiased genealogist with no stake in the results of the search.

A Forensic Genealogist is someone that is qualified to do the research based upon, first their extensive training as a genealogist and then training specifically in forensic genealogical work that involves attending courses in forensic genealogy, such as those offered by the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy [CAFG].* Forensic genealogists are retained by law offices, attorneys, courts, governmental agencies, corporate entities, estates, and any others that require genealogical searches involving legal issues. The forensic genealogist works as an independent party to search out records, analyze them, report the results of their research to the entity that employs them, and when needed to be a witness.

Some examples include estates, trusts, oil and gas royalties, land titles, citizenship issues, insurance cases, and other litigations that require the services of a qualified genealogist.
Benedict Research Services offers genealogical, historical, and forensic genealogy research and with years of archival experience understands the confidentiality issues involved in all such work. We welcome your inquiry.

*Authored by Sheila Benedict, 2014, Benedict Research Services, with permission from The Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy.
For more information, contact CAFG at

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