DNA Databank Division (D13), Criminal Investigation Department, Royal Malaysian Police, Cheras 43200, Selangor, Malaysia.
School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Pulau Pinang 11800, Malaysia.
Genes (Basel). 2020 Sep 23;11(10):1112. doi: 10.3390/genes11101112.
Science and technology are extensively used in criminal investigation. From the mid- to late-1980s, one of the scientific discoveries that has had a particularly remarkable impact on this field has been the use of highly variable DNA sequence regions (minisatellites) in the human genome for individual identification. The technique was initially referred to as DNA fingerprinting, but is now more widely referred to as DNA profiling. Since then, many new developments have occurred within this area of science. These include the introduction of new genetic markers (microsatellites also known as short tandem repeats/STRs), the use of the polymerase chain reaction for target amplification, the development of DNA databases (databanking), and the advancement and/or improvement of genotyping protocols and technologies. In 2019, we described the progress of DNA profiling and DNA databanking in Malaysia for the first time. This report included information on DNA analysis regulations and legislation, STR genotyping protocols, database management, and accreditation status. Here, we provide an update on the performance of our DNA databank (numbers of DNA profiles and hits) plus the technical issues associated with correctly assigning the weight of evidence for DNA profiles in an ethnically diverse population, and the potential application of rapid DNA testing in the country. A total of 116,534 DNA profiles were obtained and stored in the Forensic DNA Databank of Malaysia (FDDM) by 2019, having increased from 70,570 in 2017. The number of hits increased by more than three-fold in just two years, where 17 and 69 hits between the DNA profiles stored in the FDDM and those from crime scenes, suspects, detainees, drug users, convicts, missing persons, or volunteers were recorded in 2017 and 2019, respectively. Forensic DNA analysis and databanking are thus progressing well in Malaysia and have already contributed to many criminal investigations. However, several other issues are discussed here, including the need for STR population data for uncharacterized population groups, and pilot trials for adopting rapid DNA profiling technology. These aspects should be considered by policy makers and law enforcement agencies in order to increase the reliability and efficiency of DNA profiling in criminal cases and in kinship analysis in Malaysia.
科学技术在刑事侦查中得到广泛应用。从 20 世纪 80 年代中期到后期，对这一领域产生特别显著影响的科学发现之一是利用人类基因组中高度可变的 DNA 序列区域（小卫星）进行个体识别。该技术最初被称为 DNA 指纹图谱，但现在更广泛地称为 DNA 分析。此后，该领域出现了许多新的发展。其中包括引入新的遗传标记（微卫星也称为短串联重复/STR）、使用聚合酶链反应进行目标扩增、开发 DNA 数据库（databanking），以及推进和/或改进基因分型协议和技术。2019 年，我们首次描述了马来西亚 DNA 分析和 DNA 数据库建设的进展。该报告包括 DNA 分析法规和立法、STR 基因分型协议、数据库管理以及认证状态的信息。在这里，我们提供了我们的 DNA 数据库（DNA 图谱数量和命中数）的最新性能，以及在种族多样化的人群中正确分配 DNA 图谱证据权重的相关技术问题，以及在该国快速 DNA 测试的潜在应用。截至 2019 年，马来西亚法医 DNA 数据库（FDDM）共获得并存储了 116534 份 DNA 图谱，比 2017 年的 70570 份有所增加。仅在两年内，命中数就增加了三倍多，2017 年和 2019 年分别记录了 FDDM 存储的 DNA 图谱与犯罪现场、嫌疑人、被拘留者、吸毒者、罪犯、失踪人员或志愿者的 DNA 图谱之间的 17 次和 69 次命中。因此，马来西亚的法医 DNA 分析和数据库建设进展良好，已经为许多刑事调查做出了贡献。然而，这里还讨论了其他一些问题，包括为未特征化的人群群体提供 STR 人群数据的必要性，以及采用快速 DNA 分析技术的试点试验。政策制定者和执法机构应该考虑这些方面，以提高马来西亚刑事案件和亲属关系分析中 DNA 分析的可靠性和效率。
