Information Commissioner's Office’s Post

View our new publication from the Committee on Law and Justice and the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board summarizing a workshop exploring law enforcement use of probabilistic genotyping, forensic DNA phenotyping, and forensic investigative genetic genealogy technologies.   Presentations addressed key considerations for ethical, equitable, and effective use of advanced forensic DNA technologies, including transparency and public trust, training, education, and workforce needs, privacy and informed consent, and more. Learn more about the nuanced discussions surrounding ethical, legal, and social implications of advanced forensic DNA technologies by reading this newly released Proceedings-in-Brief. View: https://ow.ly/z93850S8Cfn #DNA #Genotying #Forensic

Bringing this to the attention of the community once again because I see too many labs that are making NO effort to exclude once they determine data isn't suitable. All data should be compared for exclusion. You may be able to exclude using as little as one peak. Exclusions ARE VITALLY IMPORTANT to criminal defendants. They should be the priority over inclusion, which is why we still make an attempt to exclude even before we run a sample through a genotyping program. When I see a statement that says, "this data is not suitable for comparison purposes," I know you mean inclusion and your inclusionary bias is showing. And if you don't like it you can take it up with Bieber et al 2016 BMC genetics, Budowle, Coble and the Texas Commission. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://lnkd.in/gFNqYt6f

Translating criminal reports breaks my daily routine at the office DNA analysis technology and report translation significantly improve investigative accuracy and speed, facilitating justice administration. The translation of DNA reports demands precision and a deep understanding of scientific language and genetic analysis techniques. This meticulous process instills confidence in results for the legal system and investigative teams, aiding in identity establishment and evidence presentation in criminal cases.

Interesting updates to federal regulations last updated in 1997! They will "collect data using a single combined race and ethnicity question, allowing multiple responses; add Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) as a minimum reporting category, separate and distinct from the White category; require the collection of more detail beyond the minimum race and ethnicity reporting categories." Also: "For purposes of SPD 15, the race and ethnicity categories set forth are sociopolitical constructs and are not an attempt to define race and ethnicity biologically or genetically."

The issue at hand may potentially lie within the statistical analysis software. The details provided in the narrative are quite ambiguous. In the realm of scientific analysis, the process has become complex, relying on mathematical modelling. As a forensic biologist, detecting a bug or error within the software could prove to be challenging unless the outcomes seem blatantly incorrect or the key diagnostic components are not functioning as expected. However, reviewing the output reports of the statistical analyses often reveal concerning details in relation to the statistics that a being produced to the court. It is recommended that you have this output reviewed if you have mixed DNA profiles in your matter. #StatisticalAnalysis #ForensicDNA

Cybergenetics complements the crime laboratory, making more science happen. Crime labs regularly send their DNA data to Cybergenetics for TrueAllele processing. The crime lab can move the DNA all the way down the field, developing superb data. But sometimes it can’t convert that data into useful information. Cybergenetics carries their data across the goal line, finding the DNA identity. More science is waiting to happen, and solving the crime is important. When more science needs to happen, Cybergenetics steps in with its TrueAllele® technology. To read more about our Crime Lab Complementor, visit our website at the link below. https://lnkd.in/gt6GQ4Ms #TrueAllele #DNA #DNAForensics #CrimeLab #DNAData

I am pleased to have contributed with my data science and data analytics experience to The Lancet Journal on eClinicalMedicine "Long-term physical and psychological symptoms in Syrian men subjected to detention, conflict-related sexual violence and torture: cohort study of self-reported symptom evolution".  Great piece of qualitative and quantitative research work by a multidisciplinary team, including organizations such as Lawyers and Doctors for Human Rights, Synergy for Justice, the University of Galway, and the University of California San Francisco. It was a difficult but enlightening experience, and it represents the first study in which male Conflict-Related Sexual Violence survivors described physical and mental health symptoms over four time periods. Memories of detention and the post-release periods were described during the forensic medical evaluation (FME) and semistructured interview (SSI). The reported evolution of symptoms provides insight into conditions which persist, resolve, or grow over time. https://lnkd.in/eBUWp-ds

New bill targets China's genetic collection capabilities in the United States - usable for espionage, bio-weapon targeting, blackmail, and the creation of super-soldiers according to former counter-intelligence chief @BillEvanina. The proposed legislation is bipartisan and bicameral, and sponsored by @RepGallagher @CmteOnCCPDems. Excellent article by @KenDilanianNBC @NBCNews that uniquely among mainstream media covers the full threat from this issue. https://lnkd.in/e-bJaHpj

I think the only way to confirm that content (articles, pictures, etc.) are not bot created is to fingerprint content with a DNA sample. Wait ... https://lnkd.in/eekBaGvr (old article, May 2023 lol)

The emotional toll of FIGG work, a technique for extracting DNA from burn victims, and how will AI impact forensics? Here's what you need to know this week in the world of DNA! https://bit.ly/3P5rdki