Swedish Legislation Regarding Forensic DNA Elimination Databases
2016 (English)In: Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal , ISSN 1940-9044, Vol. 7, no 1-2, p. 20-36Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
Evidence contaminated with DNA from staff, police, and other individuals can have a dramaticimpact on an investigation and can mislead police inquiries. Forensic DNA elimination databases(EDB) are used to minimize the risks associated with DNA contamination. Central issues withmaintaining such databases include the basis for sample collection, sample, and profile integrity, aswell as retention times, database access, and procedures when a database match occurs. Followingyears of discussion, debate, and the use of an “in house” EDB at the Swedish National ForensicCentre (NFC), these issues have now been resolved by passing legislation on DNA EDB. According tothe legislation, sampling for EDB purposes is mandatory for certain forensic professionals, as well asfor other individuals who need access to the premises handling DNA evidence. In the event of adatabase match, the match can only be reviewed and evaluated for quality purposes and the nameof the donor cannot be disclosed to the crime inquiry. Thus, as a consequence, if a contaminationevent is not the probable cause the legal limitation opens for impunity for individuals included inthe database.KEYWORDSContamination; DNA;elimination database;forensic science; legislationIntroduction
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Taylor & Francis Group, 2016. Vol. 7, no 1-2, p. 20-36
Keywords [en]
Contamination, DNA, elimination database, forensic science, legislation
National Category
Forensic Science
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-130593DOI: 10.1080/19409044.2015.1099061OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-130593DiVA, id: diva2:953369
2016-08-172016-08-172016-08-24