Publication of Standards and Code of Ethics
IGGAB initially published both the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Professional Standards and Accreditation Requirements and the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Code of Professional Ethics in December 2023 after a period of public commentary and subsequent review. Since they were first published, several updates and modifications have been released, after periodic reviews.
These publications provide a framework for excellence and professionalism within the Investigative Genetic Genealogy community, even for those who choose not to become accredited. These principles are crucial within our field for protecting data privacy, maintaining public and agency trust, and ensuring practitioner proficiency and accountability. We invite you to explore both the Standards and Code of Ethics (link below) and apply them to your work.
These publications provide a framework for excellence and professionalism within the Investigative Genetic Genealogy community, even for those who choose not to become accredited. These principles are crucial within our field for protecting data privacy, maintaining public and agency trust, and ensuring practitioner proficiency and accountability. We invite you to explore both the Standards and Code of Ethics (link below) and apply them to your work.
|
|
|
Investigative Genetic Genealogy
Code of Professional Ethics (April 2025) |
Investigative Genetic Genealogy
Professional Standards and Accreditation Requirements (April 2024 - supplement added April 2025) |
April 2025 Upates and Modifications to code of professional ethics
As the field of Investigative Genetic Genealogy continues to develop, IGGAB is committed to considering potential modifications and providing necessary updates to the publications on a regular basis.
In April 2025, an updated version of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Code of Professional Ethics was released.
All substantive changes have been summarized on page 2 so that they can be easily tracked. We invited you to review all the changes and download this newest version below.
In April 2025, an updated version of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Code of Professional Ethics was released.
All substantive changes have been summarized on page 2 so that they can be easily tracked. We invited you to review all the changes and download this newest version below.
April 2024 updates and modifications to standards
In April 2024, an updated version of the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Professional Standards and Accreditation Requirements was released. We invite you to view and download this newest version of the Professional Standards below.
While most of the changes are minor, involving small changes to style or wording, one significant change clarifies the IGG Professional Standard’s relationship to best practices for genealogical work. After careful consideration, IGGAB now incorporates, by reference, into the IGG Professional Standards, the best genealogical practices as codified in Genealogy Standards, published by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). These standards represent the best practices in the genealogy profession and should also be applied by competent IGG practitioners. This does not mean that AIGG's must reference Genealogy Standards in their reports or that IGG reports must meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Like reports produced by any genealogist, reports written by AIGGs must adhere to the demands of client and context. Incorporating the Genealogy Standards into our Professional Standards is a recognition that competent IGG practitioners already apply those best practices in their work and that aspiring IGG practitioners should do the same.
While most of the changes are minor, involving small changes to style or wording, one significant change clarifies the IGG Professional Standard’s relationship to best practices for genealogical work. After careful consideration, IGGAB now incorporates, by reference, into the IGG Professional Standards, the best genealogical practices as codified in Genealogy Standards, published by the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). These standards represent the best practices in the genealogy profession and should also be applied by competent IGG practitioners. This does not mean that AIGG's must reference Genealogy Standards in their reports or that IGG reports must meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Like reports produced by any genealogist, reports written by AIGGs must adhere to the demands of client and context. Incorporating the Genealogy Standards into our Professional Standards is a recognition that competent IGG practitioners already apply those best practices in their work and that aspiring IGG practitioners should do the same.
Future Publications
In addition to the Investigative Genetic Genealogy Professional Standards and Accreditation Requirements and Investigative Genetic Genealogy Code of Professional Ethics, IGGAB is also developing a Best Practices for AIGGs, which will address numerous actions and processes which are widely recognized as recommended practices, but do not fit the criteria to be included in either the Standards or Code of Ethics.
