Familial DNA analysis and criminal investigation: Usage, downsides and privacy concerns. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mateen, Rana Muhammad; Sabar, Muhammad Farooq; Hussain, Safdar; Parveen, Rukhsana; Hussain, Manzoor
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 318(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Familial DNA -- Criminal investigation -- Ethical issues -- Genealogy -- Ancestry; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110576
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Familial DNA analysis is a valuable tool for criminal investigation. Strict compliance is necessary for the implementation of familial DNA analysis. Ethical, legal and privacy concerns limit the wide usage of familial DNA analysis. Abstract: Since the discovery of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) capability in forensic investigation, it has been an important part of the criminal justice system. In most criminal cases DNA profile originating from evidence sample collected from the crime scene is compared with the DNA profile from the reference sample. However, when a reference sample is not available for comparison, familial DNA analysis can provide important investigation leads in a criminal investigation process by identifying an individual. Moreover, this analysis is also proving effective in the identification of ethnicity and ancestry of an individual. A number of different methodologies and software are being used for familial DNA analysis. This review describes the importance of familial DNA analysis, methodologies used for familial DNA searching and identification, and its advantages in forensic. Moreover, ethical, legal and social issues associated with familial DNA analysis have also been discussed along with future directions for the proper implementation of this technology.