Table 4.

Comparison of relevant terminologies. The definitions provided are not exhaustive. They are only meant to exhibit the differences among the various terminologies. FIGG is not included in the table given that NTVIC used it to combine both FGG and IGG (their definitions are found in the article). IGG and iFGG are synonyms but we argue that iFGG is a more comprehensive and appropriate term to refer to ‘the use by law enforcement of genetic genealogy combined with traditional genealogy to generate suspect investigational leads from forensic samples in criminal investigations’.

Term	Definitions	Examples
Genealogy	the study of tracing an individual's ancestors and relatives in general; a.k.a. ‘traditional genealogy’	traditional family tree building using oral histories, birth certificates and baptismal records
Genetic genealogy (GG)	the study of tracing an individual's ancestors and relatives using genetics in particular	family tree building using DNA data for the determination of an individual's genetic heritage
Forensic genealogy (FG)	the use of traditional genealogy in forensics	‘disputed inheritance, identification of military personal and citizenship claims’ [15]
Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG)	the use of genetic genealogy combined with traditional genealogy in forensics in general	identification of unidentified human remains outside criminal investigations
Investigative genetic genealogy (IGG)	the use of genetic genealogy combined with traditional genealogy in forensics, specifically in criminal investigations	identification of criminal perpetrators and unidentified human remains within criminal investigations
Investigative forensic genetic genealogy (iFGG)	a synonym for IGG but it provides a complete picture of the technique as the use of FGG in criminal investigations, that is, investigative FGG	identification of criminal perpetrators and unidentified human remains within criminal investigations