Bode Technology Names New Director of Forensic Genealogy

LORTON, Va., Nov. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Bode Technology (Bode), a leading provider of forensic DNA services, welcomed their new Director of Forensic Genealogy, Melinde Lutz Byrne, to the organization. Byrne's team will strengthen efforts in expanding Bode's Forensic Genealogy Service (FGS) to ultimately provide investigative leads to law enforcement through proven genealogy and DNA analysis methods.

Byrne's hiring comes as Bode implements a plan of strategic development and growth in the forensic genealogy market space. Forensic genealogy has successfully identified violent criminals and unknown remains throughout the United States. As crime laboratories work to clear the nationwide backlog of sexual assault cases, the pool of cases that are candidates for forensic genealogy expands.

"Bode remains committed to helping provide justice to victims of violent crime and to the identification of missing persons worldwide. The launch of Bode FGS has been a logical advancement of Bode's role in providing investigative leads and services to the law enforcement community," said Mike Cariola, President and CEO of Bode. "Naming Melinde to this role signifies the impact and the success of the Bode FGS program in investigating cold case homicides, sexual assaults, and identifying unknown remains, as well as our commitment to the quality and integrity of the cases that we are working."

Byrne has supported Bode since the launch of Bode FGS. She is one of the fifty living Fellows elected to the American Society of Genealogists based on the quality and quantity of her published work and is their former president. In addition, Byrne is the founder and former genealogy program director at Boston University and the former co-editor of the peer reviewed National Genealogical Society Quarterly. Using accredited testing laboratories and experienced, board certified genealogists, Bode has developed a high-quality, turnkey solution for crime laboratories, law enforcement agencies, and attorneys to take advantage of this powerful investigative tool.

"I joined Bode because of their superb lab work and commitment to ethical investigations. Our powerful team looks forward to providing new investigative leads based on identity and kinship," said Melinde. "Families of the missing and people who live in fear of their attackers are calling for this research. It is not ok that serial rapists and murderers are living freely among us when we can build the case to name them."

For almost 25 years, Bode has been a leader in forensic DNA analysis. Bode's highly refined protocols and rigorous quality systems are used every day to identify perpetrators of crimes, identify the missing, and exonerate the innocent. Bode has incorporated the same principles to deliver a quality forensic genealogy solution for our clients.

About Bode Technology

Bode operates one of the most internationally respected private forensic DNA laboratories and provides a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art forensic DNA collection products, DNA analysis services, and research services to law enforcement, the justice system and other government agencies around the world. Bode is accredited by ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to ISO/IEC 17025:2005, the ASCLD/LAB-International Supplemental Requirements for Forensic Testing Laboratories as well as the FBI Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic Testing Laboratories and DNA Databasing Laboratories. Bode also maintains AABB accreditation for relationship testing.

All DNA analysis at Bode utilizes validated procedures that meet the FBI's Quality Assurance Standards, SWGDAM validation guidelines for forensic DNA analysis methods, and ISO 17025 accreditation requirements. Bode regularly works with crime laboratories across the country to ensure these results are entered into the FBI's CODIS DNA database.

SOURCE Bode Technology