RSS
EmailSubscribe
| About Forensic DNA Phenotyping |
|
FDP seeks to get past this limitation by using the DNA left at a crime scene to create a genetically-based description of the unknown suspect’s appearance that police can use to narrow their search for suspects. Unlike traditional DNA-typing, which confirms a suspect’s identity, FDP predicts the suspect’s appearance. Researchers anticipate it could one day even predict a suspect’s behavior, such the likelihood of smoking. Currently, FDP relies on limited research that identifies gene sequences associated with distinctive features such as red hair or the part of the world a person’s ancestors came from. Genetic identification of ancestry causes particular concern because of its potential to exacerbate tensions in police relationships with racial and immigrant minority groups. |
Genetic researchers have recently begun to develop a type of DNA-typing that can identify criminal suspects based on traits such as skin, hair, and eye color, geographical ancestry, gait, and predisposition to smoking. Such visual and behavioral characteristics are part of an individual’s phenotype, the expression of his or her genes. Thus, we refer to this technology as forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), although it is also known as phenotypic profiling, molecular photofitting, visual trait prediction, or ethnic inference.
participate
| How can you participate? To help examine the potential benefits and problems associated with using genetic identification technologies in law enforcement, the Forensic DNA Ethics project is actively seeking the participation ... |
|
Contribute Materials
If you know of a case in which forensic DNA phenotyping was used other than those included on our site, please tell us about it! |
| Surveys We have an active program of surveys designed to gather data on current practices in forensic science education and law enforcement. Many of these surveys are by invitation only, although public ... |
featured news
| New DNA test could help in Black case 28/04/2011 | Deseret News Sandra Yi Police here are exploring a new avenue for possible clues in the death of Sherry Black, t ... |
| New DNA test developed at Salt Lake lab could help solve 'cold cases' 12/03/2011 | Deseret News Alex Cabrero Inside an ordinary beige brick building off West Temple and about 2500 South, technolo ... |
| Emerging Forensics Field May Hit Legal, Ethical Obstacles 25/02/2011 | Science Martin Enserink The Dutch parliament adopted a law in 2003 regulating forensic DNA phenotyping, t ... |
resources
| Cases OverviewCases Overview It is not known how often law enforcement agencies have turned to FDP as part of an attempt to identify an unknown suspect or victim; some reports claim that the method has been used in several hundre ... |
| Laws Overview Is forensic DNA phenotyping regulated?
|
| Research Overview We are collecting references for papers, reports, conference presentations, or abstracts that report findings relevant to FDP. Our intent is to periodically publish an annotated bibliography that trac ... |