Forensic Science and the Evolution of the Biobank

 Forensic Science  

Since 2000 the number of Biobanks worldwide has increased by one third.  With DNA evidence increasingly being used in criminal cases, Elizebeth Coakley raises questions about biobanks' access and use of private genetic data.

While forensic science, at least by name, has been around for a long period of time, it has only recently become reliant on DNA evidence. Previously, evidence presented by people identifying as forensic scientists had been acquired through a number of means—testimony by dentists, footprint experts, mental health professionals.

In an episode of Frontline called “The Real CSI”, which first aired in April of 2012, the documentary crew reveals lapses in real science in forensic science, resulting in the false imprisonment of a shocking number of individuals.

The episode is startling in its discussion of the overly-simplistic process of obtaining a document certifying one as a forensic science expert—it is perhaps because of this coming under fire for faulty means of conviction and misrepresentation of degrees that forensic science has seen a shift to irrefutable DNA evidence.

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Such is the accuracy of DNA evidence that positive identification, arrests, and prosecution double in the presence of such evidence. Such is the accuracy of DNA evidence that all 50 states have at least one criminal conviction which demands the use of DNA evidence. And with new technology comes new problems—in 2011, the National Institute of Justice revealed that backlogged samples were as high as 100,000. The increase in genetic testing had led to a test bank so overburdened that it was slow and prone to errors.

The solution, in part, was an increase in the number and size of biobanks handling genetic testing storage. Facilities such as this assist in the storage of human tissue, serum, plasma, urine, and blood, and require extreme consideration of temperature. Though such banks have been around for at least 50 years, the industry has seen tremendous growth—1/3 of existing banks have been built since 2000.

With the invention and inclusion of facilities that manage sample storage by way of machine, it is no wonder that forensic science is making a name for itself as a reputable one, positively contributing to the capture and persecution of many criminals. But it is sparking debate too—are medical biobanks used for forensic purposes subject to the same privacy considerations as those focused on disease and population?

The answer seems to be a resounding no. While it may seem unfair to disregard the rights of donors for forensic use, the basic right to privacy is sometimes secondary to another—in this case, violent criminal investigation and conviction. And, though access to DNA databases held in biobanks has the potential to encourage reluctance of individuals to contribute DNA or perhaps perpetuates the idea that donors are simply being used to solve crimes—it works.

By Elizebeth Coakley

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Author Bio - Elizebeth Coakley is a freelance writer with a background in life science research. When she's not trying to explain cytometers, you can find her binge-watching The Walking Dead.