doesn’t lie, “ DNA but you have to figure out what it is telling you.” - CeCe Moore
I meet with Tobi Kirschmann, forensic scientist, and owner of DNA Investigations, right here in Saratoga, over coffee and pastry at Mrs. London’s. It’s an early Sunday morning, and I find myself excited to speak with her, learn more about what she does. I mean, who isn’t interested in solving mysteries through the use of DNA? First off, the woman sitting in front of me is charming and warm. I instantly feel at ease speaking with her. She tells me a little bit of her background; she received her first degree at Berkelyin Woman Studies. She worked in the California Department of Justice DNA Databank, located in Richmond, CA, from 2007-2017, and helped in the 40-year investigation of The Golden State Killer. Police arrested Joseph James DeAngelo, the serial rapist, burglar, former police officer, and serial killer, in 2018, through the help of DNA. Tobi helped establish the Deceased Inmate DNA Database (D3) Program and was the lead Criminalist once it was up and running. She also worked for a year and a half at the NYSP Forensic Investigation Center, located in Albany. While there, Tobi was employed as a Forensic Scientist III in their Databank before opening her own business in October 2020. “I will continue to work the law enforcement side of my business,” she states, “but I’m excited to use all of those talents – digging into DNA aspects to track and nail down answers people might have on the family history side of things as well.” That’s what we’re here to talk about today.
54 | SARATOGA FAMILY | SPRING 2021
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