The Power of DNA in Crime Solving: What Cops Think

DNA phenotyping is a technique that predicts a person's physical traits from their DNA. This can help investigators by providing clues about a suspect's appearance. Most studies have focused on improving the technology and the science behind it. However, there is a gap in understanding how useful police officers find this tool in their daily work. To bridge this gap, a survey was conducted among 163 police officers in Quebec, Canada. These officers handle major crime cases and were asked about their knowledge and views on DNA phenotyping. The results showed that many officers are not yet familiar with DNA phenotyping. Despite this, a significant number support its use, especially for crimes like assault or murder, if it proves to be reliable. This highlights the importance of involving police officers in the development and implementation of such tools. Their expectations often do not match what the technology can currently offer. For instance, officers find predictions about eye color, ethnicity, age, and height most useful. However, the technology is currently better at predicting biogeographical origin, which is not a physical trait. Moreover, predicting age and height accurately is still challenging. The survey also revealed that integrating DNA phenotyping into the judicial process requires input from various actors in the justice system. This includes not just police officers, but also prosecutors, judges, and possibly even defense attorneys. Their collective insights can help define the role of DNA phenotyping in criminal investigations and improve its acceptance and use in courts. In summary, while DNA phenotyping holds promise, its successful integration into law enforcement and the judicial system depends on understanding and addressing the needs and expectations of those who will use it. This means more dialogue and collaboration among scientists, police officers, and other stakeholders in the justice system.