Wendy McLean is a genealogist specializing in Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) at UNT Health Center for Human Identification. The Center for Human Identification is the first publicly funded crime laboratory to integrate FGG testing and IGG research in-house.

Wendy has collaborated on forensic casework with organizations such as Bode Technology, Redgrave Research, the DNA Doe Project, and the Cold Case Coalition. Additionally, she served as a Practitioner-In-Residence at the University of New Haven, Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. In this role, she contributed to the Online Graduate Certificate Program for Forensic Genetic Genealogy during the 2022 and 2023 cohorts, further developing her expertise and mentoring future professionals in the field.

Wendy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Mississippi College and a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy from the University of New Haven. She has been a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists since 2018. Additionally, she is a member of several professional organizations, including the Society of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, the American Academy of Forensic Science and and the National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC), where she serves as Chair of the Public Entity Investigative Genetic Genealogist Subcommittee.

Additional specialities or search keywords
FIGG, IGG, FGG, Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, Law Enforcement

Publications/Media
Hiring qualified Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) practitioners: Recommendations for forensic science and law enforcement agencies.

Lectures

• September 2024 - ISHI full day Workshop: Bringing FGG into the Publicly Accredited Laboratory – Considerations from Validation to Implementation*, International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), San Antonio, TX
• ​June 2024 - Navigating the IGG Career Landscape: A Panel Discussion with Industry Leaders*, Ramapo Investigative Genetic Genealogy Conference, Mahwah, NJ
• June 2024 - FGG Walks into a Lab*, Ramapo Investigative Genetic Genealogy Conference, Mahwah, NJ
• October 2023 - Investigative Genetic Genealogy, 2023 APG Professional Management Conference (Virtual Presentation), Salt Lake City, UT.
• September 2023 - ISHI full day Workshop: Practical Application of FIGG in a Case of Unknown Identity: A Guided Interactive Approach*, International Symposium on Human Identification (ISHI), Denver, CO
• August 2023 - FIGG 101: The Basics of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy - International Association of Identification - National Harbor, MD
• June 2023 - DNA Fundamentals and Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy - Oklahoma Criminal Defense Institute - Tulsa, OK
• May 2023 - Investigative Genetic Genealogy and the DNA Doe Project, The Louisiana Association of Forensic Scientists - Virtual
• May 2023 - FIGG 101: The Basics of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, Mid-Atlantic Association of Forensic Scientists - Pikesville, MD

*Presented one or more sections with other professionals.

Honorifics/Credentials

• APG Certificate of Appreciation, 2023

Certificates

• 2025 - FBI IGG Training - hosted by SAKI TTA on behalf of BJA
• 2025 - SLIG - Advanced Genealogical Methods, Paul Graham et al.
• 2023 - SLIG - Forensic Genealogy, Catherine Desmarais et al.
• 2022 - Florida International University Global Forensic and Justice Center & United Data Connect, Fundamentals in Investigative Genetic Genealogy, Joan Hanlon, et al.
• 2021 - University of New Haven Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, Graduate Certificate in Forensic Genetic Genealogy (Online)
• 2020 - GRIP - Advance DNA Evidence, Blaine Bettinger, et al.
• 2019 - GRIP - Practical Genetic Genealogy, Blaine Bettinger, et al.

Affiliations

• American Academy of Forensic Sciences
• APG Forensic Genealogy Special Interest Group
• Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)
• Dallas Genealogical Society
• International Homicide Investigators Association
• National Technology Validation and Implementation Collaborative (NTVIC) - Subcommittee for Public Entity Investigative Genetic Genealogists (Chair)
• National Genealogical Society

Degrees

• Bachelor of Science (Biology)