Genetic Suspects
Global Governance of Forensic DNA Profiling and Databasing

Analyses the highly controversial problems of DNA forensic technologies, providing important insights into their ethical, legal and societal dimensions.

Richard Hindmarsh (Edited by), Barbara Prainsack (Edited by)

9780521519434, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 August 2010

370 pages
23.5 x 15.7 x 2 cm, 0.72 kg

'… 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.' Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

As DNA forensic profiling and databasing become established as key technologies in the toolbox of the forensic sciences, their expanding use raises important issues that promise to touch everyone's lives. In an authoritative global investigation of a diverse range of countries, including those at the forefront of these technologies' development and use, this book identifies and provides critical reflection upon the many issues of privacy; distributive justice; DNA information system ownership; biosurveillance; function creep; the reliability of collection, storage and analysis of DNA profiles; the possibility of transferring medical DNA information to forensics databases; and democratic involvement and transparency in governance, an emergent key theme. This book is timely and significant in providing the essential background and discussion of the ethical, legal and societal dimensions for academics, practitioners, public interest and criminal justice organisations, and students of the life sciences, law, politics, and sociology.

List of contributors
About the contributors
Foreword Sheila Jasanoff
Acknowledgments
1. Introducing Genetic Suspects Richard Hindmarsh and Barbara Prainsack
Part I. Key Areas in DNA Profiling and Databasing: 2. Key issues in DNA profiling and databasing: implications for governance Barbara Prainsack
3. Forensic utilization of voluntarily collected DNA samples: law enforcement versus human rights Elazar Zadok, Gali Ben-Or and Gabriela Fisman
4. Base assumptions? Racial aspects of US DNA forensics Harriet A. Washington
5. Health and wealth, law and order: banking DNA against disease and crime Richard Tutton and Mairi Levitt
6. DNA profiling versus fingerprint evidence: more of the same? Simon A. Cole and Michael Lynch
Part II. National Contexts of Forensic DNA Technologies and Key Issues: 7. DNA databases and the forensic imaginary Robin Williams
8. Partners in crime: on the use of forensic DNA technologies in Austria Barbara Prainsack
9. Inquisitorial forensic DNA profiling in the Netherlands and the expansion of the forensic genetic body Victor Toom
10. DNA - the Nor-way: black boxing the evidence and monopolising the key Johanne Yttri Dahl
11. Portuguese forensic DNA database: political enthusiasm, public trust and probable issues in future practice Helena Machado and Susana Silva
12. On trial! Governing forensic DNA technologies in the United States Jay D. Aronson
13. Biosurveillance and biocivic concerns, from 'truth' to 'trust': the Australian forensic DNA terrain Richard Hindmarsh
14. Finding the balance: forensic DNA profiling in New Zealand Johanna S. Veth and Gerald Midgley
15. Forensic DNA profiling and databasing: the Philippines experience Maria Corazon De Ungria and Jose Manguera Jose
16. Conclusion: beyond borders - trends and challenges in global forensic profiling and databasing Barbara Prainsack and Richard Hindmarsh
Index.

Subject Areas: Bio-ethics [PSAD], Medical & healthcare law [LNTM]