Hands-on education in investigative genetic genealogy is now available from the newly launched Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center, according to a Thursday announcement from Ramapo College of New Jersey.

The vision of the innovative new center is to secure justice through the ethical and proficient use of investigative genetic genealogy to support the resolution of cases involving wrongful convictions, unidentified human remains and violent crime. The first class of students in the center’s IGG Certificate Program will enroll in the spring of 2023.

“The launch of our new IGG Center illustrates how, through forward-thinking and dynamic initiatives, Ramapo serves the public good. This center doubles down on our mission to develop skilled, ethical leaders who are civic-minded and committed to learning through doing,” Cindy Jebb, president of Ramapo College, said.

The Ramapo IGG Center is led by two prominent leaders in the field, David Gurney and Cairenn Binder. Gurney, an assistant professor of law and society at Ramapo College, was previously a fellow with the Wrongful Conviction Clinic (now the Innocence Project of Arizona) at the University of Arizona. He holds a certificate in genealogical studies from Boston University and is the president of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Accreditation Board, which is developing standards for IGG. Additionally, he serves as a board member on the Association of Professional…