Preventive DNA Collection from High-Risk Populations: A Qualitative Study of Forensic Communities

Abstract

Preemptive DNA collection from high-risk populations is one approach to allow law enforcement to identify victims that may be challenging to identify post-mortem. However, the social ramifications of collecting DNA from vulnerable populations (e.g., children, vagrant youth, sex workers, and victims of criminal acts) are considerable, and questions remain unanswered as to how best to protect individuals from misuse of their voluntarily provided DNA. Forensic communities keen to use biometrics for identification benefit from social science data to document the perspectives of the populations whom they seek to serve. Two focus groups were conducted, each with twelve participants. Each focus group comprised twelve individuals. The majority of the discussants were supportive of the DNA collection programs in general, citing the desire to be identified postmortem and acknowledging that their high risk lifestyles place them at great risk of crime and victimization.