The forensic use of bioinformation: ethical issues
Report
Published 19/09/2007
- To identify and consider the ethical, social and legal issues raised by current and potential future uses of bioinformation for forensic purposes.
- To consider, in particular:
- the interpretation of the information;
- the collection, storage and retention of profiles and samples;
- issues of informed consent, privacy and confidentiality in the light of data protection and human rights legislation;
- arguments for and against population-wide forensic databases;
- access to and use of forensic databases for purposes of research;
- admissibility and use of bioinformation in criminal proceedings;
- sharing of bioinformation for forensic purposes across international boundaries;
- use for forensic purposes of bioinformation collected for non-forensic purposes; and
- governance of research conducted by or for forensic laboratories.
- To identify the ethical and legal principles and procedures which should govern the forensic use of bioinformation, and to make recommendations.
- To draft a report on these issues.