Civil society stakeholder views on forensic DNA phenotyping: Balancing risks and benefits

Samuel, Gabrielle; Prainsack, Barbara

doi:10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.102157

Cited by 23 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…The first studies introducing phenotype and ancestry prediction to forensics [3,20,23,[40][41][42][43][44] have prompted the discovery of new markers and methods that have been published in the scientific literature [10][11][12][13]15,21,45]. The continual development of DNA analysis technology goes hand in hand with a discussion beyond DNA itself, leading to a debate about the ethics and laws behind forensic phenotyping [46][47][48][49][50][51]. Despite great interest in the topic, concerns have been raised against the new forensic approach.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel: MPS-Based Assay for Ancestry and Phenotype Predictions Challenged by Casework Samples

Diepenbroek

Bayer

Schwender

et al. 2020

Genes

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As the field of forensic DNA analysis has started to transition from genetics to genomics, new methods to aid in crime scene investigations have arisen. The development of informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers has led the forensic community to question if DNA can be a reliable “eye-witness” and whether the data it provides can shed light on unknown perpetrators. We have developed an assay called the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel, which combines three groups of markers: 41 phenotype- and 163 ancestry-informative autosomal SNPs together with 120 lineage-specific Y-SNPs. Here, we report the results of testing the assay’s sensitivity and the predictions obtained for known reference samples. Moreover, we present the outcome of a blind study performed on real casework samples in order to understand the value and reliability of the information that would be provided to police investigators. Furthermore, we evaluated the accuracy of admixture prediction in Converge™ Software. The results show the panel to be a robust and sensitive assay which can be used to analyze casework samples. We conclude that the combination of the obtained predictions of phenotype, biogeographical ancestry, and male lineage can serve as a potential lead in challenging police investigations such as cold cases or cases with no suspect.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel: MPS-Based Assay for Ancestry and Phenotype Predictions Challenged by Casework Samples

Diepenbroek

Bayer

Schwender

et al. 2020

Genes

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“…A number of publications on the ethical, societal, and regulatory aspects of forensic DNA analysis in general (13), and of forensic DNA phenotyping in particular (14), provide valuable assistance for the ethical assessment of these technological developments and for considerations of the appropriate regulatory framework. An analysis of the social-scientific, judicial, and ethical literature as part of the VISAGE research project (www.visage-h2020.eu), as well as interviews with experts and members of civil society organizations (15), have led to the identification of the following major concerns about forensic DNA phenotyping: discrimination against minority groups, invasion of privacy, conflict with data protection (confidentiality) laws, and exaggerated expectations on the part of users and the general public.…”

Section: Ethical Aspects Of Forensic Dna Phenotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Forensic DNA Phenotyping in Predicting Appearance and Biogeographic Ancestry

Schneider¹,

Prainsack²,

Kayser

2019

Deutsches Ärzteblatt International

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he legalization of forensic DNA phenotyping has been publicly debated in Germany and Switzerland in the past few years while the technology has already been implemented in a few other countries. Forensic DNA phenotyping goes beyond standard forensic DNA profiling, where short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms are used to identify individuals from DNA obtained at crime scenes and other DNA markers are used for sex determination. In more novel forensic DNA phenotyping, however, information from crime scene DNA about externally visible characteristics and biogeographic ancestry (i.e., the inferred geographic region(s) of origin of a person's biological ancestors) are collected. Estimating a person's age from DNA found at the crime scene is also part of forensic DNA phenotyping and is currently debated as well, but will only be peripherally considered in this review, as it differs from the other two types of forensic DNA phenotyping in its scientific, including molecular, basis, analytical methods, and sample requirements (Box). Genetic diseases and their predispositions are excluded from forensic DNA phenotyping, as it is held that their forensic use would disproportionately violate privacy. The public debate about the legalisation of forensic DNA phenotyping arose after many years of research into the genetic basis of physical appearance and the genetic correlates of biogeographic ancestry, followed by the development of suitable analytical techniques that could be used forensically for the DNAbased prediction from human biological samples obtained at crime scenes (1, 2, 3). Such DNA test systems are needed because of the general limitations of forensic STR-profiling. The latter can only yield an individual identification by a direct comparison of the crime-scene STR-profile with the STR-profile of a suspect in the case, or of a person whose STR-profile is stored in a nationwide forensic DNA database (e.g, the DNA database of the Federal Criminal Police Office [Bundes kriminalamt], the German counterpart to the F.B.I.). Positive identification is possible only if there is a match, i.e., absolute agreement of the STRprofile of the crime scene sample with that of a known person. In criminal cases without a STR-profile match, forensic DNA phenotyping can be a helpful Summary Background: Persons whose identifying DNA profile (STR profile) is not yet known to the ingvestigating authorities cannot be identified by standard forensic DNA analysis (STR profiling) as it is now practiced. In view of the current public debate, particularly in Germany, on the legalization of so-called forensic DNA phenotyping, we present its scientific basis, societal aspects, and forensic applications and describe the analytic techniques that are now available. Methods: This review is based on pertinent publications that were retrieved by a selective search in PubMed and in public media, and on the authors' own research. Results: Forensically validated DNA test systems are available for the categorization of eye, hair, and skin color and the i...

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“…3-4), which include issues of validity, reliability and discrimination. In another publication, the authors explore how civil society stakeholders strike a balance between the potential usefulness of the use of forensic DNA phenotyping and the various ethical and social considerations (Samuel & Prainsack, 2019).…”

Section: Forensic Dna Phenotypingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging DNA Technologies and Stigmatization

Machado

Granja

2020

Forensic Genetics in the Governance of Crime

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Despite their consolidated role in providing evidence for criminal justice, DNA technologies have been subjected to continuous investment that has given rise to the emergence of new DNA technologies. This chapter will focus on such innovations, explaining how forensic genetics is increasingly expanding its role in the criminal justice system. Recent technologies such as familial searching and forensic DNA phenotyping might help to generate intelligence for criminal investigations. Familial searching is a technology that attempts to identify criminal suspects through their genetic connection with relatives. Forensic DNA phenotyping makes it possible to focus on a particular suspect group that shares genetic ancestry and/or externally visible characteristics. The chapter critically reviews the existing debate in the field of social sciences about emerging DNA technologies. The core argument is that the application of DNA phenotyping and familial searching in the governance of crime holds the potential to increase risks of stigmatization and reinforce the criminalization of certain populations who are more vulnerable to the actions of the criminal justice system.

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Civil society stakeholder views on forensic DNA phenotyping: Balancing risks and benefits

Cited by 23 publications

References 56 publications

Evaluation of the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel: MPS-Based Assay for Ancestry and Phenotype Predictions Challenged by Casework Samples

Evaluation of the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel: MPS-Based Assay for Ancestry and Phenotype Predictions Challenged by Casework Samples

The Use of Forensic DNA Phenotyping in Predicting Appearance and Biogeographic Ancestry

Emerging DNA Technologies and Stigmatization

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