Genomic Portraiture: The Science and Ethics of DNA Phenotyping in Identity Prediction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/svg7an21Keywords:
Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP), External Visible Characters (EVCs), Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs), HIrisplex-S, Criminal InvestigationAbstract
Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) has emerged as a groundbreaking tool in criminal investigations, enabling the prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVCs) such as eye color, hair color, and skin color from DNA samples. This capability provides valuable leads in cases with limited traditional evidence. The IrisPlex system, developed to predict eye color with high accuracy, marked a significant advancement in FDP, setting the stage for further developments in the field. This review traces the evolution of FDP technologies, starting with the IrisPlex system, which employs specific single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers to predict eye color. In forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), the transition from IrisPlex to HIrisPlex and HIrisPlex-S has greatly improved the process. Eye color was correctly predicted by IrisPlex, and forensic application was increased by HIrisPlex's addition of hair color prediction. Skin color prediction is incorporated into the most recent HIrisPlex-S system, which offers a more thorough phenotypic profile. These developments enhance the precision and pertinence of criminal investigations. A new era in forensic science should be ushered in by future studies that improve predictive accuracy, broaden characteristic analysis, and tackle ethical issues.
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