ISSN: 2573-1734
Authors: Silva de Cerqueira CC*
A country's security forces must properly preserve a crime scene and use all available resources to solve the incident. If the country is poor and lacks resources, there will be a direct impact on solving the case. Using the example of forensic genetics, this article will discuss how the increase in resources for forensic sciences and adherence to new technologies has influenced the elucidation of crimes. Two recent technologies in DNA analysis are considered: Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) and Genetic Genealogy (GG). Some thoughts will be given on these two topics. Interestingly, the scientific community has a consensus to study only Externally Visible Characteristics in FDP technology. However, FDP has already been used with non-EVCs, at least in Italy and the USA, for the defendant's benefit. Some countries, such as the USA, UK, New Zealand, and others, are already exploring Genetic Genealogy technology or have already implemented it into their forensic routine. Which criminal circumstances are sufficiently serious to justify the use of new technologies? Should only heinous crimes benefit from the scientific development of forensic science or all crimes? Should new technologies only be used to benefit defendants, even against the advice of the scientific community? I hope that these thought-provoking questions can be useful to reflection and to forming our own opinions on these topics.
Keywords: Forensic DNA Phenotyping; Genetic Genealogy; Recent Technologies; Resources for Forensic Sciences
