The Genome, Genetic Genealogy Database (3G DATABASE)
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Date
2023-04-11
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Salma Obaid Alotaibi
Abstract
This is a qualitative research paper that used the content analysis method. Thirtyonesources which include journal articles, credible websites, and books were used to discuss the importance of having national and global genetic databases. DNA phenotyping is the technology used in criminal justice to identify crime suspects through observable traits in their DNA. This can play a key role in convicting the right crime perpetrators and avoiding future court appeals. It also helps during disaster recovery, where the victims are identified based on their DNA samples. Law enforcement agencies frequently use DNA to identify victims and solve high-profile cases such as murder. However, despite its success and usefulness in criminal justice, it faces some challenges. For example, there are often legislation limitations concerning access to and use of DNA evidence. In some countries, it is limited and can only be used for specific crimes; in others, it is widely used, but its use is limited in other ways, such as restrictions as evidence in court. It also faces ethical issues such as intentionally planting DNA samples or leaking sensitive information. Also, the public needs to fully support its use, even for low-profile cases. Despite these limitations, a universal DNA database would help reduce investigation costs and improve their effectiveness, sometimes even for property crimes. DNA is extremely useful due to its ability to solve complicated identity problems. An exemplary DNA database should contain DNA profiles for all citizens. Increasing the capacity of current databases, and connecting them to share information with authorized officials will help to create a robust DNA database for future generations.
Description
Forensic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) phenotyping is one of the current technologies applicable in the criminal justice system in identifying crime suspects through observable characteristics (phenotype) from their DNA samples. The primary objective of DNA phenotyping is to help forensic officers identify unknown perpetrators through DNA evidence analysis collected from crime scene traces and presumed to be perpetrator’s (Samuel & Prainsack, 2019). Despite its potential contribution to forensic investigation in criminal justice, forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) is only regulated in two European countries. In the Netherlands, it is allowable to test for a person's sex, race, hair, and eye color. In Slovakia, the testing of visible DNA traits is permitted. However, in other European countries, the application of forensic DNA phenotyping is complicated, or there are yet to be laws permitting its use in law enforcement agencies to solve crimes as primary evidence.
Lack of evidence has resulted in limitations in identifying criminal offenders from generation to generation. In some cases, there is insufficient evidence to arrest a perpetrator. Additionally, despite the forensic officers having DNA samples from the crime scene, they lack a reliable database to match it to identify an offender. This has resulted in delayed justice delivery due to the limitations caused by conventional forensic methods. The criminal investigation process is often complicated and has multiple steps which must be completed (Williams & Wienroth, 2017). Investigation can take a long time, even years, to identify criminal perpetrators. Sometimes, the delay is not caused by a lack of evidence, but by not being able to properly apply technology to analyze the specimen from the crime scene.
The lack of a nationalized DNA database has given criminal offenders an advantage where they can escape the law. Criminal justice officials are continuously developing technology applications to help solve crimes. For instance, forensic investigation can use technology improvement to accurately and effectively identify criminals through DNA samples (Williams & Wienroth, 2017). The emergence of new technology can help minimize forensic officers' long process. Therefore, FDP should be implemented worldwide because of its significance and accuracy in identifying criminals within and outside the borders (Samuel & Prainsack, 2019). DNA registration should be done at birth and kept in each country's criminal justice department and the criminal justice department databases. This would play a key role in matching the DNA samples from the crime scene and identifying the perpetrator. Furthermore, it can be helpful in victim identification during the calamities such as floods and fires. The application of FDP will eradicate most cases registered under unknown offenders.
Keywords
THE GENOME, GENETIC GENEALOGY DATABASE 3G DATABASE
Citation
genome database