Best practice recommendations for the establishment of a national DNA identification program for missing persons: A global perspective

Ward, J

Best practice recommendations for the establishment of a national DNA identification program for missing persons: A global perspective

Ward, J

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Publisher:: Elsevier
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 2017, 6, pp. e43-e45
Issue Date:: 2017-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ward, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9359-9806
dc.date.accessioned	2022-07-08T03:24:02Z
dc.date.available	2022-07-08T03:24:02Z
dc.date.issued	2017-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series, 2017, 6, pp. e43-e45
dc.identifier.issn	1875-1768
dc.identifier.issn	1875-175X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158750
dc.description.abstract	I was awarded a 2015 Churchill Fellowship to visit international laboratories which have specialisation in the DNA identification of unidentified human remains (UHR), applied new technologies to DNA identification casework including the massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and forensic DNA phenotyping markers, and established successful DNA-led identification programs for missing persons (MP) casework or disaster victim identification. The goal of the Fellowship was to improve the DNA profiling outcomes for the 500+ cases of UHR in Australia, explore new technologies or DNA markers which could aid the identification effort in the absence of other investigative leads, and devise recommendations for the establishment of a DNA identification program for the 2000+ long-term MP in Australia. Despite DNA being used worldwide to successfully identify large numbers of MP resulting from armed conflicts, human rights abuses and natural or man-made disasters, the cost, labour and success rate of using DNA for routinely identifying compromised UHR has historically been prohibitive for many countries, resulting in current backlogs of identification casework. The introduction of a nationally coordinated DNA testing program, and adoption of DNA technological advancements, will facilitate the effective and efficient identification of a country's unknown and missing citizens thus bringing closure to potentially large numbers of missing person and criminal cold cases. I will translate key Fellowship findings into practical recommendations for the establishment of a national DNA identification program based on international best practice that will be applicable for any country considering implementing a DNA-led MP program.
dc.language	en
dc.publisher	Elsevier
dc.relation.ispartof	Forensic Science International: Genetics Supplement Series
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.fsigss.2017.09.009
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine
dc.title	Best practice recommendations for the establishment of a national DNA identification program for missing persons: A global perspective
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-07-08T03:24:01Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	6

Abstract:

I was awarded a 2015 Churchill Fellowship to visit international laboratories which have specialisation in the DNA identification of unidentified human remains (UHR), applied new technologies to DNA identification casework including the massively parallel sequencing (MPS) of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and forensic DNA phenotyping markers, and established successful DNA-led identification programs for missing persons (MP) casework or disaster victim identification. The goal of the Fellowship was to improve the DNA profiling outcomes for the 500+ cases of UHR in Australia, explore new technologies or DNA markers which could aid the identification effort in the absence of other investigative leads, and devise recommendations for the establishment of a DNA identification program for the 2000+ long-term MP in Australia. Despite DNA being used worldwide to successfully identify large numbers of MP resulting from armed conflicts, human rights abuses and natural or man-made disasters, the cost, labour and success rate of using DNA for routinely identifying compromised UHR has historically been prohibitive for many countries, resulting in current backlogs of identification casework. The introduction of a nationally coordinated DNA testing program, and adoption of DNA technological advancements, will facilitate the effective and efficient identification of a country's unknown and missing citizens thus bringing closure to potentially large numbers of missing person and criminal cold cases. I will translate key Fellowship findings into practical recommendations for the establishment of a national DNA identification program based on international best practice that will be applicable for any country considering implementing a DNA-led MP program.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/158750