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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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6

Move Over, Police Sketches: DNA's On the Case

Forensic phenotyping works, but is it ethical?

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(Newser) – The old-fashioned police sketch could soon be obsolete, the Wall Street Journal reports, thanks to DNA forensic phenotyping, an increasingly popular technique that uses crime-scene DNA to describe a suspect. So far, labs can only determine details such as ethnicity and physical traits, but that alone has helped in some cases, and scientists are working to push the technique further.

One Penn State geneticist, for example, is working to create a literal genetic police sketch, with a computer using genetic data to draw the subject, though that project won’t bear fruit for years. For now, the controversial technique remains somewhat unreliable. Germany and several US states have banned the practice over ethical concerns about racial profiling.

Police can now use DNA evidence to get an idea of what a suspect might look like.
Police can now use DNA evidence to get an idea of what a suspect might look like.   (Shutterstock)
Police can now use DNA evidence to get an idea of what a suspect might look like.
Police can now use DNA evidence to get an idea of what a suspect might look like.   (Shutterstock)
Police are using DNA evidence to identify suspects.
Police are using DNA evidence to identify suspects.   (Shutterstock)
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6 comments
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freethemall
Mar 27, 09 10:07 AM CDT
It escapes me how it could be construed as racial profiling. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Rob
Mar 28, 09 12:56 PM CDT
You're right. This has nothing to do with racial profiling.
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Mad
Mar 27, 09 10:53 AM CDT
There is no easy answer to racial profiling. Must suck to be a good and honorable Black man in America Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Mar 27, 09 12:04 PM CDT
Holding off because the technology isn't yet ready for prime time... and that's saying something because prosecutors will latch onto anything that passes for evidence in nailing down their politically ambitious conviction record. The recent spate of overturned convictions arising from the use of DNA has also made them cautious in approving anything else that might undo their fine record of public service. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Rob
Mar 28, 09 12:55 PM CDT
That's not how it works. Evidence, particularly scientifically based evidence, must be vetted before it enters the courtroom and it isn’t up to lawyers. It IS up to lawyers to make sure it is used properly and that the evidence was handled correctly. The technology of DNA is sound; its use is subject to human error.
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