Convictions through Kith and Kin: Legal, Policy and Ethical Issues in DNA Familial Matching and Genetic Metadata

Abstract

DNA databases are now vast libraries of genetic metadata. It is possible to match the genetic relationships of a person and their family simply through their blood ties. Such DNA searches are called ‘familial matching’. Investigators can take unknown DNA and then search through their existing DNA databases to see if the person may be related to any offenders on their DNA database. While there is legitimate interest in solving crime, it is not hard to foresee a future where thousands of familial matching searches are conducted each day. Despite the existence of this capability, it has barely been debated in Australia. This article tries to balance the legitimate societal need to solve crime against the whole host of legal, ethical, political, economic and racial concerns that familial matching raises.

Keywords:

• DNA
• genetic metadata
• familial matching
• Australia