Publicação
The (de)materialization of criminal bodies in forensic DNA phenotyping
| Resumo: | Forensic DNA phenotyping isa genetic technology that might be used in criminal investigations. Based on DNA samples of the human bodyfound at crime scenes, it allows to infer externally visible characteristics (such as eye, hair and skin colour)and continental-based biogeographical ancestry.By indicating the probable visible appearance of a criminal suspect, forensic DNA phenotyping allows to narrowdown the focus of a criminal investigation.In this article, drawing on interviews with forensic geneticists, we explorehow their narratives translate contemporary focus on criminalmolecularizedbodies. We propose the concept of (de)materialization to approach three aspects of the forensic geneticists’ views. The first regards consideringbodies as mutable entities. The second relates to socially contingent meanings attributed to bodies. The third regardsto controversies surrounding data reliability.Byreflecting upon the(de)materialization of criminal bodies, forensic geneticists juxtapose the defence and unsettling of forensic DNA phenotyping claims. |
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| Autores principais: | Granja, Rafaela |
| Outros Autores: | Machado, Helena; Queirós, Filipa |
| Assunto: | (De)materialization Forensic DNA phenotyping Molecularization Criminal bodies |
| Ano: | 2021 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | artigo |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso aberto |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade do Minho |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho |
| Resumo: | Forensic DNA phenotyping isa genetic technology that might be used in criminal investigations. Based on DNA samples of the human bodyfound at crime scenes, it allows to infer externally visible characteristics (such as eye, hair and skin colour)and continental-based biogeographical ancestry.By indicating the probable visible appearance of a criminal suspect, forensic DNA phenotyping allows to narrowdown the focus of a criminal investigation.In this article, drawing on interviews with forensic geneticists, we explorehow their narratives translate contemporary focus on criminalmolecularizedbodies. We propose the concept of (de)materialization to approach three aspects of the forensic geneticists’ views. The first regards consideringbodies as mutable entities. The second relates to socially contingent meanings attributed to bodies. The third regardsto controversies surrounding data reliability.Byreflecting upon the(de)materialization of criminal bodies, forensic geneticists juxtapose the defence and unsettling of forensic DNA phenotyping claims. |
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