Genetic Suspects: Global Governance of Forensic DNA Profiling and Databasing

Over the past 25 years, DNA technology has become a cornerstone of criminal investigations across the globe. In Genetic Suspects, a series of essays seeks to address the key issues surrounding the use of DNA technology in forensics, expounding on scientific, legal, and social concerns. The book is written for a specialized audience, as is stated on the back cover ― specifically those with scientific knowledge of the processing of DNA samples and an interest in the implications of its use in the justice system. For people who fall within that category, Genetic Suspects is both interesting and thought-provoking. The book is divided into two major sections, both of which are introduced in the first chapter. In the first section, five essays provide a context for the examination of DNA technologies. In the second section, nine essays present how the use of DNA technologies has arisen in different countries. The conclusion then discusses the major themes evoked by the essays. The first section begins with a discussion of recent issues in forensic DNA profiling and databasing. The author, Barbara Prainsack, describes a legal case in the United Kingdom that upheld the retention of biological samples and the firing of the laboratory director of the Baltimore Police Department because of contamination issues. These cases were used to focus on issues with securing, obtaining, and processing genetic crime scene evidence, storage of the genetic evidence, and related courtroom issues. The same general format is found throughout the book; each chapter uses legal cases, governmental decisions, and societal events to highlight key issues. The rest of Section 1 examines the issues surrounding the use of voluntarily collected samples in DNA dragnets and mass screenings, how race issues play into DNA analysis, the similarities and differences between forensic databases and medical databases, and how DNA databasing has been influenced by previous databases for other body markers, most notably fingerprints. The second section describes the development and practice of DNA technologies in nine different countries, including Austria, Portugal, United States, and Australia. Each essay outlines the background of that country’s DNA database, including key court decisions, governmental regulations, social events, and media reports that influenced its development. Two essays present the struggles of countries currently trying to establish databases: Portugal and the Philippines. Each author offers insights into processes that were either useful or detrimental to the development of the database while commenting on how that country might proceed in the future. Overall, the essays addressed issues of race, lack of scientific knowledge on the part of members of the legal system, concern about belief in the infallibility of DNA techniques, how genetic profiles are created then kept or destroyed, who is chosen for profiling, and who is in charge of generating and maintaining profiles. Taken together, this compilation of essays makes Genetic Suspects an interesting read for anyone interested in the growing use of DNA evidence in legal systems around the world.