1921 Tulsa Identification Project

“IMF” is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Salt Lake City. IMF was founded in 2019 by the Cold Case Coalition and was the first forensic DNA laboratory Accredited in Whole Genome Sequencing by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB). In 2024, IMF transitioned its day-to-day lab operations to DNA Labs International. As we look to the future, our focus is to promote the use of advanced DNA techniques for identification of unidentified human remains and crime scene DNA. We assist Law Enforcement through Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), Cold Case Funding and Education/Consulting.

IMF’s mission has always been to improve and increase accessibility to forensic DNA and related tools. Too many families and communities need answers.

Law enforcement agencies, genealogists with demonstrated Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) experience, innocence-based nonprofits, and historical researchers with satisfactory credentials. Genealogists who are employed by a laboratory or governmental entity must identify the employer in the application.

IMF decision makers will periodically review pending applications and decide what funds should be allocated, if any. The amount of funding will depend on the number of applications, availability of funding, whether the applicant has previously received funds, and other considerations. Because IMF is operated primarily by volunteers, meetings typically occur monthly but decisions might take longer. No funding is guaranteed for any application or applicant.

Funds can be used for Whole Genome Sequencing (including serology, extraction and bioinformatics), database uploads, and reference testing. For WGS and reference testing, funds will typically be paid directly to the laboratory via invoice. For database uploads, funds shall be paid directly to the uploader upon confirmation that the upload has occurred. Prior to payment, the applicant must verify that the expense has not been paid by other funds.

Yes, in rare instances. (IMF defines a “hot” case as less than 1 year old.) Urgent requests should be prominently noted in the application. We also suggest separate emails to Andrea@IntermountainForensics.com and Karra@IntermountainForensics.com

IMF will only consider requests from applicants who presently are authorized to arrange DNA testing on a case. IMF might consider conditional funding on cases of historical significance where a commitment for funding might be determinative of whether a project is undertaken.

Funding for targeted sequencing will be considered only in very rare circumstances, and only after Whole Genome Sequencing has been attempted. Funding might be considered for mitochondrial, YSTR, and microarray testing on a case-by-case basis.

Yes: The lab must use Whole Genome Sequencing to generate profiles. IMF believes that Whole Genome Sequencing offers reliability and compatibility advantages over other forms of testing. For crime scene DNA cases only, the lab must have been Accredited (in any category) by ANAB for at least two years. This is to ensure that an independent body has evaluated the laboratory’s policies and practices for at least two full cycles, and to reduce potential challenges to the lab’s results. The lab must agree to share its FASTQ (raw file) or equivalent WGS raw sequencing data file with other accredited laboratories upon request of the applicant. If an alternative file is provided, it will be subject to IMF approval. This expectation is common in the industry and enables second looks using varying bioinformatic and analytical methods.

Yes. When applying for funds, applicants must certify that they will not upload, or allow to be uploaded, the profile to a private database that is not accessible by other FIGG genealogists to MyHeritage.com, 23andMe, Ancestry.com OR to any other database for which the upload would be a violation of Terms of Service. Any certification deemed by IMF to have been false or violated will disqualify the applicant, the uploading entity/person, and the agency (if any) from any future funding consideration.

No. Justice includes answers for families and communities in all UHR cases.

Partially. Up to 50 percent of funds are reserved for cases meeting one or more of the following: The applicant agrees to upload any resulting profile to DNA Justice. This is a nonprofit, law enforcement-exclusive DNA database founded by CeCe Moore of Parabon Nanolabs, Margaret Press of DNA Doe Project (ret.), and Kevin Lord, formerly of Intermountain Forensics and now with DNA Labs, International. The applicant elects to have IMF perform the genetic genealogy on the profile. This preference also applies if the applicant opts to have IMF coordinate the genealogy, such as by designating or requesting a third party genealogist.

We welcome support of the public to aid in this work. Your tax deductible donation will go to a pool that will directly impact these cases. Visit our Donate page to contribute.

You can read more about the progress from the City of Tulsa website here: https://www.cityoftulsa.org/government/mayor-of-tulsa/1921-graves-investigation/ You can also see our latest project updates here.

We’ve created an online form for you to provide any information you think would be helpful - stories, images, links, family trees, etc. If you need help filling out the form, you can visit any Tulsa City-County Library location. Also, you can volunteer your DNA for comparison to the remains that have been found. Additionally, Intermountain Forensics is a nonprofit organization. We appreciate any donations to help cover lab costs and other expenses related to this important project. You can make your tax-deductible donation here: link

This information will help us gather preliminary data that will be very important for our genealogical research phase. The more information we are able to gather regarding the families from 1921, the greater chances we have of identification.

You can take a test with any company that makes DNA tests available to consumers, such as FamilyTreeDNA.com, MyHeritage.com, Ancestry.com, or 23andMe.com. Each company will have detailed instructions on how to create an account, take a test and send it back for results. Please NOTE: For those who believe they may be direct descendants of Tulsa Race Massacre victims, a free DNA kit can be provided so that your family’s DNA is represented in this project. Please contact us at info@tulsa1921dna.org to discuss your options. Once your results are ready, the next step will be copying your DNA file to GEDmatch.com. This will involve creating a free account at GEDmatch and uploading the file. We can walk you through this process, or there are instructions on the website and helpful YouTube videos. After you have uploaded your DNA file, GEDmatch will assign you an anonymous “Kit Number.” Please send your kit number to us at the email here when your GEDmatch upload is complete. If you need assistance, please contact us at info@tulsa1921dna.org

When uploading to GEDmatch, you will be allowed to choose the level of confidentiality you want. While our genetic genealogy partners are working on this project, your profile will be available to them for matching in GEDmatch. After the work is complete, or if you change your mind at any time about allowing your DNA to be compared to the unidentified remains, your profile can be deleted. If you decide to keep your profile in GEDmatch, you will help with this kind of work in the future. For a detailed chart outlining the different paths available, please see our DNA Comparison Pathways. If you would like more detailed information about this process, please also see our Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG) statement.

IF you have NOT uploaded your DNA profile to GEDmatch: Click here for a video on how to do it! GEDmatch will assign you a “Kit Number.” Please send your kit number to us at info@tulsa1921dna.org when your GEDmatch upload is complete. IF you have already uploaded to GEDmatch: Please send your kit number to us at info@tulsa1921dna.org. * Upload to GEDmatch is voluntary. DNA testing companies do not automatically upload DNA files from their clients. Please be sure to read the terms of service and site policy at GEDmatch to make sure you are comfortable with them. For a detailed chart outlining the different paths available, please see our DNA Comparison Pathways. Users should consider that even though GEDmatch was created for genealogical research, it can and has been used for other purposes.

That is completely up to you. Here are your options: 1. Keep your DNA information in GEDmatch. With this option, you can either be an active participant and continue to see and connect with your matches OR just leave your DNA in GEDmatch and allow it to be a part of the database that helps in other genetic genealogy research. 2. Delete your account in GEDmatch. Your DNA cannot and will not be accessed or used for further research.

Of course! We still would like to hear from you. You can fill out our form where you can submit stories, your family tree, images, links and more here: online form You can also DONATE to help cover the costs of lab fees, test kits, community outreach, and other parts of this important project.