DNA Sampling in Forensic Science

Extract

[...] This is what happens with saliva and semen in general. For blood, the DNA will be extracted from white blood cells, but not from red blood cells, which are nucleated cells and therefore do not contain DNA. For hair and hair follicles, we will only get DNA if the element still has its bulb. On the suspect: The collection is done today via the same FTA kit. The principle is very simple, a cotton swab is introduced into the person's mouth to collect the internal mucous cells of the cheeks. [...]

[...] We can also consult genetic databases. However, this raises some ethical limitations. Introduction Crime scene TV series are among the most watched programs by the general public. Anyone now has access to a certain image of their work through television. Despite significant differences existing between the romanticized scenarios of TV series and the reality of forensic and scientific police work, these series allow us to better understand how a crime perpetrator can be identified, particularly thanks to one element: DNA DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is the carrier of genetic information. [...]

[...] https://www.police-scientifique.com/affaire-colin-pitchfork (accessed December 2019). A DNA database case raises ethical questions. Sciences et Avenir n.d. https://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/fondamental/biologie-cellulaire/les-enjeux-ethiques-de-l-utilisation-de-l-adn-dans-le-domaine-medico-legal_124513 (accessed December 2019). [...]

[...] Another problem is sometimes the genetic family overlaps. Indeed, it happens that the database allows identifying family ties between different people in the database. This is possibly emotionally impactful information, and overriding the rights to respect for private life. And finally, the problem of ethnic profiling also arises. For practical reasons, genetic profiles are divided into 7 large ethnic groups. And according to the results of DNA sampling, the police can think that the DNA is more likely to belong to an individual from one or another ethnic group and thus restrict the list of suspects. [...]

[...] This technique is now used in most countries with forensic science, such as Canada, for example. In 1998, France created the FNAEG (National File of Genetic Fingerprints) to facilitate the search for authors of offenses using their genetic profile. The FNAEG contains genetic fingerprints from several identified or unidentified people, collected from crime scenes or from people convicted of serious crimes. Forensic and scientific police are therefore authorized to consult this file However, attention, the correspondence between the DNA found at the crime scene and that present in the database does not prove the guilt of the person corresponding to this DNA. [...]