SOME APPLICATIONS OF DNA DATABANKS AS AN INVESTIGATIVE TOOL FOR SOLVING CRIMINAL CASES

Francisco Mestres; Goran Zivanovic

doi:10.5937/nabepo23-18139

Francisco Mestres Universitat de Barcelona
Goran Zivanovic Department of Genetics, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/nabepo23-18139

Abstract

The introduction of molecular markers, as STR (Short Tandem Repeats) was a fundamental event in Forensic Genetics. It was possible to obtain individual genetic profiles that allowed to properly identifying individuals with small probability of error. Furthermore, police officers soon discovered the investigative value provided by DNA databanks, defined as a collection of individual DNA profiles usually used to investigate crimes and identify suspects. In this article, the authors present the most common use of these police databanks, comment their drawbacks and how to overcome them. The usage and value of police DNA databanks in special criminal situations are also explained: cold cases, familial searches and dragnets. These three particular situations are described and commented in this article. In summary, although several technical, ethical – legal and international aspects have to be improved, police DNA databanks are really powerful investigation tools that allow solving a large number of criminal cases.

Author Biographies

Francisco Mestres, Universitat de Barcelona

I'm Associate Professor of Genetics in the Universitat de Barcelona from 1990.

I teach General Genetics, Evolution, Forensic Genetics.

Goran Zivanovic, Department of Genetics, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade

Researcher expert in Population Genetics and Evolution.

Department of Genetics, Institute for Biological Research “Sinisa Stankovic”, University of Belgrade, Belgrade

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