DNA Standards - Part 7

For "DNA Standards - Part 1" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-1.html. In the first part I paraphrased the standards for using DNA evidence for genealogy into bullet points.

This is the post for "DNA Standards - Part 7."

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Prior bullets are discussed in other parts of this series:

• test the right descendants with the right test(s) at the right company or companies to obtain the information needed to answer the research question (Standard 51) (For "DNA Standards - Part 2" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-2.html.)
  
• select matches and/or target-test others with the right test (Standard 51) (For "DNA Standards - Part 2" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-2.html.)
  
• analyze the DNA results accurately and in-depth (Standard 52) (For "DNA Standards - Part 3" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-3.html.)
  
• integrate the thoroughly researched and analyzed DNA and documentary evidence; logically sequence and clearly illustrate the DNA analysis and the documentary analysis in a written conclusion; accurately and completely cite all sources (Standards 1–8, 55, 56, 65, 74) (For "DNA Standards - Part 3" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-3.html.)
  
• ensure enough people have tested to support the conclusion (Standard 53) (For "DNA Standards - Part 4" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-4.html.)
• support every parent-child link in the line from all test takers to the hypothesized ancestors with documentary evidence (Standard 2) (For "DNA Standards - Part 5" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-5.html.)
• identify familial relationships (where appropriate), present the conclusion as a genetic link only if the DNA supports that conclusion, explain any insufficient research (Standards 50, 56, 65, 74) (For "DNA Standards - Part 6" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-6.html.)

In "DNA Standards - Part 7" I further discuss the eighth bullet. The main bullets indicate considerations when using DNA to help answer a research question; sub-items explain what is needed to accomplish the tasks defined in the main bullet:

• make the DNA data available for verification, as much as possible within the limits of test taker permissions (Standard 54)
  
  • depending on publication venue this might mean
    
    • providing login information to an editor to confirm the DNA data (the password can be changed after the editor has completed the review)
      
    • asking test takers to upload to a public project (such as at FamilyTreeDNA where the test taker gives permission and the administrator sets project options for results to be displayed publicly)
      
    • asking test takers to upload to a publicly available third-party website (available to any internet user without logging in or requiring a login and password that any person can obtain)
      
    • providing screenshots of web pages with the DNA or match data
      
  • if the DNA test results are not publicly shared or confirmed by an unbiased third party there is a risk that the author misinterpreted the DNA test results
    
  • if one or more test takers choose to remain unidentified the credibility of the conclusion should be evaluated with that person removed or anonymized
    
  • if one or more test takers choose to remain unidentified the essay may not meet the criteria for some publications nor be the best choice of work sample to demonstrate your analysis and correlation skill
    
  • just as we have always done with articles and work samples based on documentary sources, we must make judgments on credibility when using DNA sources
    

Additional bullets will be discussed in other parts of this series:

• publish or share only as a living test taker’s permission allows (Standard 57) (For "DNA Standards - Part 8" see https://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/2019/03/dna-standards-part-8.html.)

BCG, Genealogy Standards, 2nd ed. (Nashville: Ancestry, 2019)

GETTING OFFICIAL INFORMATION ON STANDARDS FROM BCG

Only BCG provides official answers on what it expects to see in application portfolios. No one, not even members of the BCG Board of Trustees or associates helping at exhibit hall booths, speak officially for BCG. For specifics on what BCG expects to see in portfolios, please use BCG’s website, blog, newsletter, and other means of communication:

• BCG website at https://bcgcertification.org/ has a “Contact BCG” link
  
• BCG SpringBoard blog at https://bcgcertification.org/springboard/
  
• BCG OnBoard Newsletter of the Board for Certification of Genealogists has many articles available online at https://bcgcertification.org/learning/skills/onboard/ or subscribe to receive current issues as published
  
• BCG news announcement “Standards for DNA Evidence” dated 28 October 2018 at https://bcgcertification.org/standards-for-dna-evidence/
  

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All statements made in this blog are the opinion of the post author. This blog is not sponsored by any entity other than Debbie Parker Wayne nor is it supported through free or reduced price access to items discussed unless so indicated in the blog post. Hot links to other sites are provided as a courtesy to the reader and are not an endorsement of the other entities except as clearly stated in the narrative.

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To cite this blog post:
Debbie Parker Wayne, "DNA Standards - Part 7," Deb's Delvings, 10 March 2019 (http://debsdelvings.blogspot.com/ : accessed [date]).

© 2019, Debbie Parker Wayne, Certified Genealogist®, All Rights Reserved