Othram maps: a graph-powered platform for pedigree visualization and forensic intelligence.

Abstract

Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) requires building and interpreting complex family trees that integrate genetic, genealogical, and contextual metadata to associate unknown donors of forensic evidence with reference samples of potential relatives. Existing genealogy platforms are not optimized for forensic workflows, lack scalable infrastructure for large pedigree trees, and pose usability challenges in investigative settings. Othram Maps is a graph-powered platform for generating, ranking, and visualizing genealogical hypotheses. It was developed to support forensic investigations but also has applications in adjacent domains such as biomedical research and genetic epidemiology. Othram Maps is a graph-powered web platform designed for forensic intelligence applications. Unlike traditional tree tools, it uses a flexible graph architecture that enables dynamic visualization and exploration of family trees of any size or structure encountered in forensic genetic genealogy. A custom load-on-demand engine supports smooth navigation of trees with thousands of individuals, while global and detailed views provide scalable, real-time interactivity for collaborative casework. Othram Maps is actively used by genetic genealogists and forensic practitioners to identify human remains and investigate unsolved violent crimes. Othram Maps is freely available at https://maps.othram.com. The platform is fully web-based and runs on all modern desktop and mobile browsers without the need for installation. It is compatible with most current mobile devices, enabling secure, on-the-go access for field or collaborative work. Additional information on the platform's features, functionality, and algorithms is provided in the Methods, available as supplementary data at Bioinformatics online.