Tozzo Pamela, Politi Caterina, Delicati Arianna, Gabbin Andrea, Caenazzo Luciana
Department of Molecular Medicine, Laboratory of Forensic Genetics, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.
Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of Padova, 35121 Padova, Italy.
Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2021 Oct 30;26(10):828-850. doi: 10.52586/4991.
Numerous major advances have been made in forensic genetics over the past decade. One recent field of research has been focused on the analysis of External Visible Characteristics (EVC) such as eye colour, hair colour (including hair greying), hair morphology, skin colour, freckles, facial morphology, high myopia, obesity, and adult height, with important repercussions in the forensic field. Its use could be especially useful in investigative cases where there are no potential suspects and no match between the evidence DNA sample under investigation and any genetic profiles entered into criminal databases. The present review represents the current state of knowledge of SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) regarding visible characteristics, including the latest research progress in identifying new genetic markers, their most promising applications in the forensic field and the implications for police investigations. The applicability of these techniques to concrete cases has stoked a heated debate in the literature on the ethical implications of using these predictive tools for visible traits.
在过去十年里，法医遗传学取得了许多重大进展。最近一个研究领域聚焦于对外在可见特征（EVC）的分析，如眼睛颜色、头发颜色（包括头发变白）、头发形态、肤色、雀斑、面部形态、高度近视、肥胖和成人身高，这在法医领域产生了重要影响。在没有潜在嫌疑人且所调查的证据DNA样本与犯罪数据库中录入的任何基因图谱都不匹配的调查案件中，其应用可能特别有用。本综述阐述了关于可见特征的单核苷酸多态性（SNP）的当前知识状态，包括在识别新基因标记方面的最新研究进展、它们在法医领域最有前景的应用以及对警方调查的影响。这些技术在具体案件中的适用性在文献中引发了一场关于使用这些可见特征预测工具的伦理影响的激烈辩论。
