DNA Databases in Crime Prevention

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Questions and Answers

What is the main purpose of the Criminal Law Forensic Procedures Act (CLFPA 2007)?

To provide guidelines for DNA database management

To regulate the use of forensic procedures for obtaining evidence (correct)

To train forensic biologists in DNA profiling

To establish a national DNA database for crime prevention

What is a key difference between the criminal and database approaches?

The type of biological samples used

The level of manual handling of files

The type of DNA profiling techniques used

The speed of turnaround time for results (correct)

What is not typically associated with the database approach?

DNA profile for upload

Manual handling of files (correct)

Y-STR profiles

Single item of evidence

What is a key feature of the criminal approach?

Presenting evidence in court Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a forensic procedure?

Taking an impression or cast of a person’s body Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a senior forensic biologist in this context?

To analyze DNA evidence in criminal investigations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of taking DNA samples from volunteers in Category 1?

To help interpret samples and prevent upload to searchable database Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Category 1 and Category 2 in CLFPA?

Whether the person is under suspicion or not Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can DNA be taken from a person suspected of a serious offence?

On suspicion of a serious offence Signup and view all the answers

Who owns the SA DNA database?

The Commissioner of Police Signup and view all the answers

What happens to DNA profiles if charges are dropped or a person is acquitted?

The profile is stored permanently Signup and view all the answers

What type of DNA samples can be taken from a suspect?

Both buccal swabs and scene samples Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Criminal Law Forensic Procedures Act (CLFPA) 2007?

To allow DNA sampling on suspicion of a serious offence Signup and view all the answers

Who can request destruction of their DNA profile?

Volunteers in Category 1 Signup and view all the answers

What was the victim's state of mind according to the quote?

Terrified Signup and view all the answers

When is an autosomal profile used?

When the police have exhausted all leads Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for restricting familial searching?

Resource constraints Signup and view all the answers

How much does a single familial search that yields 200 candidate relatives cost?

$10,000 Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the social/ethical concerns about familial searching?

It may place innocent people under genetic surveillance Signup and view all the answers

Why do advocates of familial searching argue it is useful?

Because it helps solve serious and violent crimes Signup and view all the answers

Is familial searching explicitly legislated?

No, it is not legislated Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of familial searching?

It may reveal unknown biological relationships Signup and view all the answers

How many STR loci were used when calculating sibship and paternity indices?

10, 15, or 23 Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the familial search?

To find a match for a DNA profile Signup and view all the answers

How many profiles were selected for further work based on the likelihood ratio?

100 Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Y-STR kit screening for male individuals?

Only one male individual was identified as a match Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the individual's trial?

12 years jail with a minimum of 8 years Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Globalfiler kit?

It was used to upgrade the DNA profile Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the comparison between the individual's DNA profile and the DNA profile at the crime scene?

They shared at least one allele at every location Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the attack on the young woman, according to Judge McIntyre?

It left her with endless pain, sorrow, fear, and doubt Signup and view all the answers

What is the commonality in DNA database legislation across the Commonwealth and each state/territory?

Silence on the permissibility of familial searching Signup and view all the answers

Which Australian jurisdiction's legislation is likely to permit familial matching?

Commonwealth (under Part 1D of the Crimes Act 1914) Signup and view all the answers

What facilitates familial searching in Australia?

Software purchased by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission Signup and view all the answers

In what year was the murder of Janecia Peters linked to at least eleven unsolved murders in Los Angeles?

2007 Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the software used in the identification of victims in the Tripoli Airport incident?

Bonaparte Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the LA Weekly reporter who broke the news of the task force's existence in the Grim Sleeper case?

Christine Pelisek Signup and view all the answers

What is the common thread between the murder of Janecia Peters and the at least eleven unsolved murders in Los Angeles?

DNA analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the timeframe of the first unsolved murder in Los Angeles linked to the Grim Sleeper case?

1985 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

DNA Databases for Crime Prevention

DNA databases can be used to compare DNA profiles from crime scenes with those of known individuals, including suspects, victims, and volunteers.
The DNA profiles are stored on a database, and the management of the database is delegated to the Director of FSSA.

Criminal Law Forensic Procedures Act (CLFPA 2007)

The Act provides for carrying out forensic procedures to obtain evidence relevant to the investigation of a criminal offence.
Forensic procedures include taking of prints, examination of a person's body, and taking biological or other material from a person's body.
The legislation changed in May 2007, making it less restrictive, and DNA can be taken on suspicion of a serious offence, including indictable offences and summary offences punishable by imprisonment.

CLFPA Categories

Category 1: Victims or volunteers, where all samples are taken by consent, and volunteers can nominate how their DNA profile is used.
Category 2: Suspects, where DNA profiles are stored on the database, and samples are taken by consent or force.
Category 3: Convicted offenders, where DNA profiles are stored on the database, and samples are taken by consent or force.

Familial Searching

Familial searching involves comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes with those of known individuals to find potential relatives.
The familial search is run using a software, and the top 100 profiles are selected for further work.
Female individuals are upgraded to a PCR kit with more information, and the familial search is run again, while males are screened with a Y-STR kit.

Why Familial Searching Works

Familial searching works because of the likelihood ratio distribution using 10 (SGM Plus), 15 (NGM), or 23 (Fusion) STR loci when calculating sib-ship and paternity indices for relatives and non-contributors.

Restrictions on Familial Searching

The primary reason for restricting familial searching is the high cost required to undertake exclusionary Y-STR analyses and Profiler Plus to GlobalFiler upgrades.
Other reasons include social and ethical concerns, such as discrimination against minorities, placing innocent people under 'genetic surveillance', and scope creep.

Legality of Familial Searching

The Commonwealth and each state/territory has forensic legislation describing DNA databases, but it is currently silent on the permissibility of familial searching.
It appears likely that familial matching is permissible under Part 1D of the Crimes Act 1914 (Cth) as it currently stands.

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Description

This quiz explores the use of DNA databases in crime prevention, comparing criminal and database approaches, and discusses the role of forensic biologists. Learn about the differences in nominated suspects, biological testing, and DNA profiling.