What can and cannot DNA analysis in criminology
DNA analysis has made a real revolution in criminology, as it often helps to find serial killers and acquit innocent people found guilty of serious crimes. However, as the sensitivity of DNA analysis increases and the scope of its application in criminology expands, it is very important that public and professional expectations from this technology are supported not by information obtained from detective films, but by real data.
To eliminate existing misconceptions and disseminate up-to-date information about new interesting developments, researchers of the European Program for Advanced Research in the Field of Forensic Genetics (European Forensic Genetics Network of Excellence, EUROFORGEN), together with the charity organization Sense about Science, are launching a special resource. This resource, called Making Sense of Forensic Genetics ("Comprehending forensic genetics") It contains up-to-date information about the opportunities provided by DNA analysis to the criminal justice system, as well as about its limitations and what may become a reality in the future. It contains descriptions of cases from practice in which DNA analysis radically changed the course of events – for example, the case when DNA analysis helped in the search for serial killer Gary Ridgway, as well as situations where incorrect interpretation of the results of DNA analysis was the cause of judicial errors (for example, false detention caused by an error due to contamination of the sample and the accusation of rape of Adam Scott, who was later acquitted due to the study of phone call records, according to which he was in another city at the time of the crime.
According to the creators of the resource, contrary to existing beliefs, today DNA analysis does not allow to determine the visible signs of a person, such as the shape of the face. Some police departments claim that they use tests in their work to determine the shape of the face, but the accuracy of these tests is not confirmed by scientific data. Recent advances in forensic genetics raise hopes that in the near future DNA analysis will allow determining a number of visible characteristics, such as eye and hair color. Over time, such approaches can become a powerful investigative tool. However, to date, the information obtained through DNA analysis is very limited.
A person's DNA can be in the room even in his absence. DNA can be almost everywhere, it is carried along with saliva during conversation, sneezing, coughing, as well as in the composition of dead skin cells. DNA is found even in household dust. Therefore, the DNA of people who have nothing to do with it may be present at the crime scene.
By itself, DNA does not allow solving crimes. Improvements in forensic methods of DNA analysis today make it possible to identify trace amounts of DNA. The presence of DNA does not allow to establish guilt and it is not always obvious when and how it turned up at the crime scene, as well as to which tissue it belonged (which is especially true for very small quantities). Therefore, in this case, the key point, and now more than ever before, is the need to consider DNA in the context of other evidence and evidence. DNA analysis is undoubtedly an important investigative tool, but it does not in any way replace the investigator.
Experts' comments:
Manfred Kaiser, Professor of Forensic Molecular Biology at Erasmus University Rotterdam and EUROFORGEN researcher: "To date, eye color, hair color and skin color can be reliably and with sufficient accuracy for practice determined by DNA from the crime scene. However, our knowledge of the genetic foundations of the formation of the structure of the human face is insufficient to reconstruct the shape of the face based on the results of DNA analysis. For the responsible use of forensic methods of DNA analysis, it is necessary that these methods and the results of validation studies have been published in peer-reviewed journals and are available for examination."
Denis Syndercombe Court, professor of forensic genetics at King's College London and a researcher at EUROFORGEN: "We all like good detective films and, despite the fact that we understand the difference between fiction and reality, the difference between them can be smoothed out by excessive dramatization of real incidents in the press. As a result, most people get unrealistic ideas about the value of scientific evidence, especially regarding DNA analysis, the results of which can lead to judicial errors. During the development of this resource, even readers professionally involved in criminology were surprised by the information contained in it, which in particular demonstrated the importance of this resource in explaining scientific data, which, despite their complexity, should be well understood by the general public."
David Bentley, Criminal Defense Specialist, Doughty Street Chambers Trial Lawyers Society: "As the outcomes of criminal cases increasingly depend on the results of DNA analysis, understanding this complex and rapidly developing area is becoming a method vital for criminal law professionals. This excellent resource provides clear and accessible information that will help lawyers (and not only) to understand both the advantages and limitations of the capabilities of forensic genetics, as well as to recognize and effectively resolve controversial issues arising during the trial."
Peter Schneider, Professor of Forensic Molecular Genetics, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Clinic at the University of Cologne and coordinator of EUROFORGEN: "Cooperation with Sense about Science has played an important role for us and has been positive beyond expectations. The employees of the organization worked smoothly and efficiently on processing very complex information, which they presented in the form of simple intelligible messages and visual images. Continuous feedback from the key audience, including the police, lawyers, judges, journalists and interested readers, throughout the entire process was a prerequisite for EUROFORGEN researchers to adapt the resource and make it as understandable as possible for a wide audience."
Emily Jesper-Mir, Sense about Science: "It's fantastic to see that researchers are worried about the impact their achievements have on the general public, making important information easy to understand and accessible to those who need it, in this case – from lawyers, police and judges to potential jurors and amateur detectives. Throughout the process, the researchers listened and adapted the content for the specified target audiences. This is one of the public engagement campaigns in which we have participated, the purpose of which is to disseminate serious scientific knowledge, the misinterpretation of which can be too expensive. We highly appreciate EUROFORGEN for applying this approach and want other researchers to also involve the public in the development of easy-to-understand resources."
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on EurekAlert materials!: What DNA can and can't tell us in criminal investigations must be clear.
30.01.2017