George Fitsialos

Founder and CEO of DNAlogy

Expert for the Greek Judicial Authorities and the International Criminal Court in The Hague on issues of Biological Material Identification and DNA Analysis
George Fitsialos holds a Ph.D. in Genetics and Molecular Biology from the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis in France, where he completed all his university studies and scientific work (with scholarships from the French Ministries of Health and Research). The majority of his work was conducted at INSERM (The French National Institute of Health and Medical Research). He then collaborated with the leading scientific team in the field of DNA identifications in France and the laboratory of IGNA (Institut Génétique Nantes Atlantique), where he specialized in the latest technologies in DNA analysis/identification and biological evidence detection (criminal investigations, civil cases).

In 2009, he returned to Greece, bringing capital and expertise from France to establish DNAlogy, the first specialized Greek private accredited and internationally recognized laboratory for expert reports in cases requiring DNA analysis, known as the “European Center for Genetics and DNA Identification,” aiming to meet the new needs in the field of DNA analyses and align Greek practices with European and international standards.

Simultaneously, he collaborates with the Greek Judicial Authorities, where he is registered in the official lists of Experts of the Courts and Prosecutor’s Offices throughout Greece, and begins handling criminal and civil cases for the Justice system. Since 2016, Dr. George Fitsialos has been an Expert at the International Criminal Court in The Hague on issues of Biological Material Identification and DNA Analysis.

As the head of the scientific team at the DNAlogy genetic laboratories, and by applying the most advanced scientific technologies for the first time in Greece, Dr. Fitsialos has worked on solving dozens of cases, including the disappearance of Marios Papageorgiou, which was presented by the TV show “Light in the Tunnel” and shocked the nation.

Dr. George Fitsialos is a member of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, a member of the French-speaking group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics, a member of the European Society of Human Genetics, and a founding member of the Hellenic Association of Forensic Sciences.

Academic Involvement:

Dr. George Fitsialos has conducted training seminars for most bar associations in Greece (Athens, Piraeus, Patras, Larissa, Chania, Kalamata, Corfu, Kavala, etc.) and many abroad (Cyprus, Europe, Africa). He has also conducted training for several legal associations (Association of Greek Lawyers “e-themis,” Association of Greek Criminalists, etc.) and has authored work on forensic genetics in various scientific publications (Karantzali et al. The effect of FBI CODIS Core STR Loci expansion on familial DNA database searching. Forensic Sci Int Genet. 2019 Nov;43:102129).

Biological Material Detection / Genetic Material Identification

Analysis of Evidence / Suspect Objects:

Biological material can be collected and analyzed from any substrate, such as fabrics, glasses, cutlery, toothbrushes, chewing gum, hair, cigarette butts, tissues, hats, etc. Once its nature is determined, whether it is blood, semen, saliva, or other material, the genetic material is then analyzed. The resulting genetic profile can be compared with the profile of a suspect to verify if it originates from the same person.

Crime Scene Management:

In crime scene management, experts protect the area from external interventions that could alter the information. Before any action, the site is photographed and then thoroughly inspected to find suitable evidence. The evidence is collected in special packaging and transported to the laboratory for analysis.

Verification of Will Authenticity – Identification of Letter Author:
During the writing of a text, the individual’s hand continuously contacts (friction) the paper, resulting in the deposition of skin cells on it. DNA analysis of a sample scanned from the surface of the paper can reveal the genetic profile of the individual who wrote the text. This profile can then be compared with the genetic profile of the person alleged to be the author to determine if it is the same individual or a forgery. The same method can identify authors of anonymous letters.

Determination of Vehicle Passenger Position in Accident Investigations:
In accident investigations where the identity of the driver needs to be determined, biological material is collected from points of interest (steering wheel, handbrake, handles, seats, etc.) to determine the position of the occupants at the time of the accident.

Identification of Bones:

In cases of unidentified bodies (airplane crashes, bodies in advanced decomposition, mass graves, mixed bones in cemeteries, etc.), individuals are identified through the analysis of their bones. This analysis requires special equipment and the application of specialized protocols.