Familial Searches of DNA Databases
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Description
The continued growth of forensic DNA databases has brought about greater interest in conducting searches for “familial,” “kinship” or “partial” matches. Whereas a typical database search seeks the source of a stain by finding an exact match between a known person and a crime-scene DNA sample, familial searching instead looks for partial matches in order to identify potential relatives of the source. Familial DNA searches have long been conducted in the United Kingdom, and there has been increasing interest in the technique in the United States and in other nations. This chapter, which is adapted from a longer article titled Relative Doubt: Familial Searches of DNA Databases (109 Michigan Law Review 291 (2010)), argues against the practice of familial searching on a variety of grounds, including claims related to equality, accuracy, privacy and democratic accountability. However, in the event that arguments to prohibit the practice prove unpersuasive, this chapter sets forth recommendations for restrictions on familial searches that might ameliorate their possible iniquitous effects.
Source Publication
Las bases de datos policiales de AND: ¿Son una herramienta realmente eficaz en la lucha contra la criminalidad grave nacional y transfronteriza? = Police DNA Databases: Are They a Truly Effective Tool in the Fight against Serious National and Cross-Border Crime?
Source Editors/Authors
María José Cabezudo Bajo
Publication Date
2013
Recommended Citation
Murphy, Erin E., "Familial Searches of DNA Databases" (2013). Faculty Chapters. 1988.
https://gretchen.law.nyu.edu/fac-chapt/1988
