Revolutionize Your Investigations with GEDmatch PRO

Whole-genome sequenced and micro-array files should be submitted to GEDmatch PRO in the “23andMe” format. The file should be Build 37 aligned and be either a tab delimited text or csv file.

The file needs to contain 5 columns: rsID, chromosome, position, allele 1, and allele 2 (allele 1 and 2 can be combined into a single column). Genotype calls must be oriented with respect to the plus strand on the human reference sequence.

The file should be sorted by chromosome and then by position to ensure there are no data loss issues.

Kintelligence files come automatically formatted from the Universal Analysis Software and do not require any manipulation before upload to GEDmatch PRO.

The filters and their specifications within GEDmatch PRO are proprietary information.

For Whole Genome & Microarray Profiles
In general, the algorithm maximizes signals for matches and minimizes for noise. Kits that match a significant portion of the database, kits with low SNP counts or SNPs that are not relevant for genealogy, heterozygosity ratio, etc. are often deemed not suitable for matching.

If forensic DNA profiles that are whole genome or microarray have between 150,000 – 250,000 high-quality, true SNPs, customers should expect reliable matching. If customers have less SNPs or begin to impute, as a rule of thumb, the matching algorithm handles no calls better than false calls/mismatches.

If too much of the data for these types of files have been imputed within a data file, it creates results that are too “matchy” to the database, which inhibits true matching and the kit gets flagged. Since the imputation happens prior to the file being uploaded to our database, unfortunately there is nothing we can currently do on our end. This also happens when an uploaded SNP profile contains a mixture, which can result in an unusable profile.

For Kintelligence Profiles
Kintelligence profiles have a 6000 SNP minimum requirement to get uploaded to GEDmatch PRO.

GEDmatch PRO can be utilized by law enforcement agencies worldwide; however, users must comply with all relevant laws in their jurisdiction.  Users are responsible for ensuring their use of the platform complies with their local legal requirements.

Per our Terms of Use, users may use GEDmatch PRO Services for law enforcement use to identify the perpetrator of a violent crime (where ‘violent crime’ is defined as murder, nonnegligent manslaughter, aggravated rape, robbery, or aggravated assault) or to identify human remains (which, for clarity, excludes fetal remains and remains of stillborn children), and only in a manner that complies with all laws that apply to you.

GEDmatch PRO protects uploaded profiles through:

• End-to-end encryption during transfer and storage
• Secure, access-controlled databases
• Regular security audits and penetration testing
• Advanced authentication protocols
• IP logging and suspicious activity monitoring
• Physical and virtual access controls
• Compliance with law enforcement data security standards
• Regular system updates and security patches

No. Civilian users cannot see, access, or be compared directly with forensic profiles.

The system only allows one-way comparisons where law enforcement profiles can be compared against users who have explicitly selected which type of law enforcement comparisons to be a part of.

Initial results are typically available within 24 hours after upload completion. The system continues to scan daily as more users join the GEDmatch platform.