Forensic DNA Phenotyping: The Need for Proportionate Regulation and Judicial Clarity in Law Enforcement

Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) is a powerful tool in criminal investigations for predicting visible traits and ancestry, but its use as direct legal evidence is controversial. While FDP accurately predicts certain traits like eye and skin color, it struggles with intermediate and complex traits. The technique's reliance on high-quantity DNA for age estimation is a limitation. Globally, FDP faces regulatory inconsistencies, with clear guidelines in some regions but significant gaps in others, particularly in the U.S. This regulatory fragmentation raises ethical concerns about genetic privacy and racial bias. To ensure fair and legitimate use, there is a need for unified regulations, transparent methodologies, and ethical guidelines.