Kim Joyce, Mammo Danny, Siegel Marni B, Katsanis Sara H
Center for Genome Ethics, Law & Policy, Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy, Duke University, Box 90141, Durham, NC 27708, USA.
Investig Genet. 2011 Nov 1;2:22. doi: 10.1186/2041-2223-2-22.
In the United States, several states have made policy decisions regarding whether and how to use familial searching of the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database in criminal investigations. Familial searching pushes DNA typing beyond merely identifying individuals to detecting genetic relatedness, an application previously reserved for missing persons identifications and custody battles. The intentional search of CODIS for partial matches to an item of evidence offers law enforcement agencies a powerful tool for developing investigative leads, apprehending criminals, revitalizing cold cases and exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals. As familial searching involves a range of logistical, social, ethical and legal considerations, states are now grappling with policy options for implementing familial searching to balance crime fighting with its potential impact on society. When developing policies for familial searching, legislators should take into account the impact of familial searching on select populations and the need to minimize personal intrusion on relatives of individuals in the DNA database. This review describes the approaches used to narrow a suspect pool from a partial match search of CODIS and summarizes the economic, ethical, logistical and political challenges of implementing familial searching. We examine particular US state policies and the policy options adopted to address these issues. The aim of this review is to provide objective background information on the controversial approach of familial searching to inform policy decisions in this area. Herein we highlight key policy options and recommendations regarding effective utilization of familial searching that minimize harm to and afford maximum protection of US citizens.
在美国，几个州已就刑事调查中是否以及如何使用联合DNA索引系统（CODIS）数据库进行家族搜索做出了政策决定。家族搜索将DNA分型从仅仅识别个体扩展到检测基因关联性，这一应用以前仅用于失踪人员身份识别和监护权争夺案件。有意在CODIS中搜索与一项证据的部分匹配项，为执法机构提供了一个强大的工具，用于拓展调查线索、抓捕罪犯、重启冷案以及为被错误定罪的个人洗脱罪名。由于家族搜索涉及一系列后勤、社会、伦理和法律方面的考量，各州目前正在努力应对实施家族搜索的政策选择，以平衡打击犯罪与其对社会的潜在影响。在制定家族搜索政策时，立法者应考虑家族搜索对特定人群的影响，以及尽量减少对DNA数据库中个人亲属的个人侵扰的必要性。本综述描述了通过对CODIS进行部分匹配搜索来缩小嫌疑人范围的方法，并总结了实施家族搜索在经济、伦理、后勤和政治方面的挑战。我们研究了美国特定州的政策以及为解决这些问题而采取的政策选择。本综述的目的是提供关于家族搜索这一有争议方法的客观背景信息，为该领域的政策决策提供参考。在此，我们强调了关于有效利用家族搜索的关键政策选择和建议，以尽量减少对美国公民的伤害并提供最大程度的保护。
