Ethical considerations for Forensic Genetic Frequency databases: First Report conception and development

• Published in: Forensic science international : genetics 2024-07, Vol.71, p.103053-103053, Article 103053
• Main Authors: D’Amato, M.E., Joly, Y., Lynch, V., Machado, H., Scudder, N., Zieger, M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Consent; Databases, Genetic; Databases, Nucleic Acid - ethics; DNA Fingerprinting - ethics; Ethics; Ethics Review Board; Forensic; Forensic Databases Advisory Board; Forensic Genetic Frequency databases; Forensic Genetics - ethics; Gene Frequency; Humans; Legacy data; Vulnerable population
• ISSN: 1872-4973; 1878-0326
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2024.103053

The Forensic Databases Advisory Board (FDAB), an independent board that assists the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG), has presented a First Report on ethical aspects of the following Forensic Genetic Frequency Databases (FGFD): EMPOP, STRidER and YHRD. The FDAB designed an ethical framework to evaluate the content of these FGFD, and the factors to be considered for retention and acceptance of submissions. The FDAB framework proposes to categorize submissions according to the risk of having contravened the universal ethical principles outlined by international organizations, and the guidelines adopted by the ISFG. The report has been open to discussion by the scientific community since 2023. Herein we present the conception and development of the First Report along with a summary of its content, with consideration of the feedback received. •Presentation of the Forensic Databases Advisory Board work since its establishment in 2021.•Rationale behind the ethical framework to evaluate the content of the FGFD.•Design of risk categories of submissions to FGFD.•Suggested actions on risk submissions.•Continued debate on emerging challenges is needed.