Our Team

Allison Peacock, Founder & President

Investigative genetic genealogist Allison Peacock brings passion, skills, and significant experience to facilitating the resolution of unknown identities, including deep expertise in researching genealogies in Latin American countries. A hands-on investigator, Allison has researched cases in at least 15 foreign countries and counting. Her solved cases include scores of unknown subject and unidentified remains cases. Other significant identification projects include the paternity of a man born in South Carolina in 1856, the identity of an international black market adoption survivor, a dual perpetrator Midwestern homicide case, and assisting the families of two Texas murder victims with locating the couple’s missing daughter after 41 years. That case led to the innovative creation of a memorial fund to underwrite unidentified remains cases providing the opportunity for the families to turn their pain into purpose.

In addition to her work with FHD Forensics, Peacock is the Executive Director of the Rev War Forensic Institute. and Advisory Board Chairman for Genealogy For Justice™. She has been interviewed on the subject of genetic genealogy by every major American media network, appearing on broadcasts such as GMA3, Bloodline Detectives, and CNN Tonight with Laura Coates. FHD Forensics leverages her experience on the front lines of this emerging field exclusively for law enforcement agencies, archeological teams, and restorative justice projects.

Cyndi Despault, Operations Manager

Cyndi Despault is the rocket fuel that keeps the FHD Forensics ship sailing. She ensures all FHD investigations are carried out with purpose and efficiency. Before joining the FHD team, Cyndi’s background in Life Sciences, including DNA processing, culminated in a position as laboratory supervisor for a premier genomic profiling research institution providing bioinformatics and molecular diagnostic services.

From shipping evidence to delivering case-closing leads, Cyndi’s eye for quality control of data, case management and tracking, and documentation compliance serve our clients well over the life of their cases.

Valerie Kemp, Senior Investigative Genealogist

With a deep specialty in African American genetic genealogy, Investigator Valerie Kemp is skilled at using DNA and thorough research to identify matches and map pedigrees beyond the post-Civil War 1870 brick wall. In spite of the separations of enslavement, surname changes, and other issues unique to African American genealogy, Valerie has many confirmed solves in cases involving unidentified subjects. She frequently works with low shared cM matches, chromosome painting, and extensive research in order to solve difficult cases, including those with Ancient DNA samples.

In addition to her genetic genealogy expertise, Valerie brings skills in social science research implementation and analysis, as well as a background as an award winning filmmaker to her work for FHD Forensics and its clients.

Rebecca Hamilton, Attorney/Researcher

As an attorney, legal advocate and researcher, Rebecca Hamilton leverages over 25 years of experience in both civil and criminal litigation to help close cold cases and solve complex personal identification cases for Team FHD. Rebecca holds a B.A. from Cornell University and a J.D. with Honors from the University of Texas School of Law. Her ability to think outside the box and her relentless nature often allows her to see connections where others do not.

“To assist someone who has been unjustly denied access to their own history – their own identity, their own search for self – well, now, that is a great thing.”

Rebekah Canada, Haplogroups Expert and Genealogist

Rebekah Canada brings 20 years experience in genetic genealogy and a BS in Computer Information Systems to Team FHD. Past projects include working with Family Tree DNA and National Geographic, as well as publishing on Y-DNA phylogenetics and autosomal DNA compound unknown parentage. Experienced with complex cases involving endogamy and consanguinity, they advocate for the integrated use of Y-DNA, mtDNA, X-DNA, and autosomal DNA in investigative casework.

The child of a Navy veteran and descendant of many veterans, Rebekah has a special interest in military remains identification. At FHD, they apply Y-DNA and mtDNA expertise to cases involving the identification of historic military remains and other military justice issues.

Team FHD, Investigative Genetic Genealogists

Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) is a high profile industry and some of our case-cracking investigators prefer to remain anonymous.

FHD’s investigative genealogy team applies decades of experience, multiple genetic specialities, and a track record of case closures too numerous to count to their pursuit of justice for victims’ families and the hard working law enforcement agencies that entrust us with their unsolved cases.

Isabel de la Luz, Genealogy For Justice Liaison

Genealogy For Justice™ (G4J) Liaison to FHD Forensics, Isabel de la Luz came to the genetic genealogy field naturally when the use of DNA to identify unknown persons impacted her on a very personal level as a child. With a Masters degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Isabel is passionate about combining her unique skills and interests to support hard working cold case investigators and medical examiners in bringing closure to victims’ families.

As President of G4J, sister organization to FHD Forensics, Isabel’s priorities are to fund, advocate, and educate on topics relating to genetic genealogy as a solution to the epidemic of unsolved violent crime and unidentified remains cases. With an eye toward the mental health of surviving families of cold case victims and human trafficking, she is developing a cutting edge movement founded on the use of genetic genealogy to change lives.