What influences public views on forensic DNA testing in the criminal field? A scoping review of quantitative evidence

Abstract

Background Forensic DNA testing is a powerful tool used to identify, convict, and exonerate individuals charged of criminal offenses, but there are different views on its benefits and risks. Knowledge about public views on forensic DNA testing applied in the criminal field is socially valuable to practitioners and policymakers. This paper aims to synthesize quantitative evidence about the factors that influence public views on forensic DNA testing in the criminal field. Based on a systematic search conducted in January 2019, a scoping review was performed, targeting studies presenting original empirical data that were indexed in Web of Science and PubMed. The two authors performed eligibility and data extraction. Results The 11 studies were conducted mainly in European countries (Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland) and the remaining derived from the USA and New Zealand. Non-representative samples were mostly used to explore the benefits and risks of criminal DNA databases, criteria for insertion and retention of DNA samples and profiles, knowledge, willingness to donate a DNA sample, and custody. The value of forensic DNA databases in protecting society from crime was emphasized. Concerns about improper access to forensic genetic data and risks to civil liberties associated with its uses were expressed. The scarce literature on Forensic DNA Phenotyping and familial searching revealed the same trend of positively valuing forensic DNA testing. Only factors related with socioeconomic position were assessed by more than two studies. Results suggested that public views on forensic DNA testing are influenced by the level of education, age, and exposure to law enforcement occupations although not in a straightforward manner. Conclusion Further empirical research should assess standardized factors related with social and structural levels (e.g., scientific literacy, public trust in the justice system and concerns about victimization or police activity) and be performed in different national jurisdictions to enable generalization and comparison of findings. It is needed to expand empirical studies on public views about the commercialization of forensic science and the use of recent controversial techniques and new transparency and accountability models.

The Sociological Gaze

“…Continuing in the field of public perception, other authors have also expanded the literature on the social studies of forensic genetics, by conducting studies focused on public perceptions about DNA databases, whether through qualitative methodologies Machado & Prainsack, 2012;Wilson-Kovacs, Wyatt, & Hauskeller, 2012) or quantitative ones (an extensive review of the existing studies can be found at Machado & Silva, 2019). In this regard, we underscore the work of the sociologist Dana Wilson-Kovacs and colleagues (Wilson-Kovacs et al, 2012).…”

“…For example, the study by Machado and Prainsack (2012) notes how prisoners consider that having their genetic profile on a forensic DNA database managed by the police may reinforce the stigmatization towards individuals who have committed crimes (Machado & Prainsack, 2012). Other studies have also revealed that individuals from disadvantaged social groups and racial and ethnic minorities present a high degree of mistrust about the use of genetic evidence in the criminal justice system (Curtis, 2009;Duster, 2006;Machado & Silva, 2019).…”

Developing legal regulation of forensic DNA-phenotyping in Hungary

“…not known to provide information about specific hereditary characteristics" [6,7]. Almost all countries have some form of DNA legislation, but these laws are generally confined to traditional DNA forensics, that is, compiling DNA profiles or fingerprints from crime scene material and comparing these to profiles stored in forensic DNA databases, however, legal permissibility and practice of forensic of DNA phenotyping remains unregulated in most recent jurisdiction [4,8,9]. VISAGE, an EU-funded consortium project has been proposed to explore explores the social, ethical, and regulatory aspects of FDP, respectively [8,9].…”

“…A large volume of published articles exist which contend, that the use of information of this kind raises a range of issues which are imperative to be discussed together in the light of other fundamental principles in addition to merely the public benefit stemming from the solution of crimes. These include public views, ethical principles such as personal autonomy, justice, dignity, confidentiality or solidarity, possible stigmatization and discrimination, legal principles such as due process and proportionality in addition to democratic values such as equality, security, transparency and pluralism [3][4][5]13].…”

Forensic DNA Profiling: Autosomal Short Tandem Repeat as a Prominent Marker in Crime Investigation

“…The introduction of amplification technology linked to the analysis of STRs led to the availability of sufficiently sensitive and robust systems for the formation of efficient and effective DNA databases ( 39 ). A leading advancement in forensic DNA profiling was the establishment and expansion of centralised national criminal DNA databases ( 40 , 41 ). Since the comprehensive legislation was enacted in 1995 forensic scientists in the United Kingdom set up the first national DNA database that would hold both personal DNA profiles together with results obtained from crime scenes ( 42 ).…”