"All my life, mysteries have called out to me to be solved."
From the blurb: In I Know Who You Are, Barbara Rae-Venter reveals how she went from researching her family history as a retiree to hunting for a notorious serial killer--and how she became the nation's leading authority on investigative genetic genealogy, the most dazzling new crime-fighting weapon to appear in decades.
My thoughts: Talk about a fascinating look at how far investigations have come in the use of DNA, especially in solving cold cases. I loved Rae-Venter's story and how she went from researching her own family history, to helping adopted children search for their biological parents using commercial DNA sites, to volunteering her time to help police hunt down the Golden State Killer using one DNA sample and the latest methods of genetic genealogy.
There's A LOT of science in this book, but Rae-Venter explains it well. I learned the difference between autosomal and mitochondrial DNA; that a centimorgan is the unit of measurement for how much DNA two people share; and about DNA segment triangulation and how they can build family trees down from the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) found between two people to figure out the identity of a third person. It's time-consuming work requiring diligence and attention to detail, and Rae-Venter does it well.
All the cases Rae-Venter chronicles in this book are so interesting! I loved her investigative process, and how she uses pieces of DNA to solve the most baffling of puzzles. It's true crime writing at its best.
Happy Reading!
I am a fan of true crime shows and I Know Who You Are sounds fascinating. There have been so many advancements with DNA research and it's great for solving crimes. I am torn about adopted children using DNA to find their birth parents. I worry about the adopted kids being disappointed if the birth parents when found don't want a connection. But it's important for adopted kids to know their family medical history: breast cancer, heart disease etc so they can take precautions
ReplyDeleteShe talks about that in her book, about how some adopted kids get that really good outcome of finding family and acceptance and welcome, and how many others don't. And how heartbreaking that can be for them. It's a tricky dilemma.
DeleteI'm guessing all the science stuff would go right over my head, but even so the premise still sounds fascinating. It's incredible how science can be used to solve these crimes, especially cold cases that are sometimes decades old.
ReplyDeleteA lot of the science went over my head, too, though she does really try to explain things so it makes sense to readers like us. :D
DeleteWe have a couple of documentary type series on TV featuring adults who were adopted as children looking to find their biological families. I must admit I find it all fascinating so this book would suit me I think.
ReplyDeleteHow they can use DNA and near matches to trace out families and find people is really fascinating. I liked this book a lot.
DeleteI don't usually read a lot of nonfiction but this sounds very interesting and not too long a read.
ReplyDeleteI liked that it wasn't super long. (And I'm sorry your comment fell into the spam abyss of Blogger!)
DeleteThis really sounds interesting and well written. I love personal journeys like this one where a person retires only to find a whole new calling that probably keeps them busier than they've ever been before.
ReplyDeleteAnd she certainly was kept busy digging into all these cold cases. But when you love what you're doing it doesn't feel like work.
DeleteI think I'd find this really interesting! I've read a few fictional books that feature this tool in solving a crime and it was fascinating! It would be sad for children seeking their bio parents only to find out they didn't want any connection.
ReplyDeleteIt can be heartbreaking for those adopted children who don't find the family welcome they're seeking, that's for sure. And this is a fascinating book.
DeleteI don't usually read a lot of nonfiction but this sounds very interesting and it is not too long a read. She must be very smart and methodical to work all that out.
ReplyDeleteShe is very smart...and very good at working out puzzles and tracing family trees.
DeleteLark, that comment above was my second try, I think my first one got lost (in spam?). That has been happening to me a lot on my blog too.
ReplyDeleteIt happens to my comments all the time! It's why I check my comment spam folder everyday now. Blogger can be SO frustrating sometimes.
DeleteThis sounds fascinating! I'm adding it to my wishlist. The science stuff sounds really interesting and it's nice to hear that the author explains it well.
ReplyDeleteShe does explain things well...and she repeats her explanations in different chapters to help you keep up and remember and not get lost in the science.
DeleteWow! This sounds like such an interesting read. I'm so glad you posted about it - thank you! Definitely one to add to the TBR list :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a good one if you like true crime cases and have an interest in genetic genealogy!
DeleteI have learned more about Science than I have wanted to over the last year. I have mitochondrial dysfunction, which I didn't even know was a thing. Glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteMitochondrial dysfunction? I didn't know that was a thing either! What do they even do for you in that kind of situation?
DeleteLark, LOTS of supplements, bloodwork, figuring out the cause and lots of work to correct it!
DeleteDoesn't sound like fun. I hope what they're doing is helping!
DeleteGreat review! I love when a book teaches me something! :) I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI love when that happens, too. It's why I love reading nonfiction. :D
DeleteThis does sound really fascinating. I don't read a lot of true crime books, but I'd be interested in learning more about the evolution of using genealogy to solve crime.
ReplyDeleteI found this book really interesting. And I learned a lot.
DeleteSee this is exactly why I will never take one of those Ancestry DNA tests because who knows how it will be used in the future. I don't want my DNA used sometime in the future to maybe catch a distant family member if they commit a crime. I know this sounds crazy but I never said I was normal. lol
ReplyDeleteA lot of people feel the exact same way as you about their DNA; you have to opt in now on most sites before investigators can use your DNA information.
DeleteThis sounds good! I don't usually read true crime, but the idea of investigative genetic genealogy sounds fascinating!
ReplyDeleteIt is very fascinating! I didn't know how far that kind of investigating had come.
DeleteI have this on my TBR. I'm fascinated by forensic genealogy. Glad to see you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was really good. And I liked that it covered more than just that one serial killer case.
DeleteThis sounds so interesting -- especially that the author's expertise grew out of a more personal project. Great review!
ReplyDeleteShe was retired and looking for a hobby and found a new career instead. One that she's really good at.
DeleteThis does sound like an interesting read! Thanks for sharing about it Lark.
ReplyDeleteIt's the kind of nonfiction book I like to read. :D
DeleteI love these deep dive kind of reads. This case in particular fascinates me!
ReplyDeleteHer work in genetic genealogy is so interesting!
DeleteThis sounds like a fascinating book. Such a chilling case!
ReplyDeleteIt is a fascinating book! I really liked it...and I learned a lot, too.
DeleteI'm so glad she caught this killer. What a breakthrough! I'm sure some of the science would go right over my head.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lot, but she does try to explain it so even us non-science people can understand.
DeleteThis sound so fascinating! I don't read a lot of true crime but I'm very intrigued by this one!
ReplyDeleteI really liked it...it's a very fascinating read.
DeleteGreat review! Now I'm even more excited to read this book. For a genealogist, I don't know all that much about DNA and how to use it for family history work, let alone crime solving! I have I KNOW WHO YOU ARE out from the library right now. I'm planning to read it next.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it. There's a lot of science in it, but I found it really fascinating.
Delete