Forensic DNA phenotyping in Poland

Abstract

DNA phenotyping has the ability to unlock cold cases in forensics, missing-persons cases and reveal our ancestors physical appearance. Although the techniques cannot yet determine all the characteristics of a person, that time is coming very soon, and the techniques already can provide valuable information regarding red hair, blue and brown iris color, likely geographic region of origin, and other characteristics. DNA phenotyping is to determine during preliminary stages of investigation, an unknown perpetrator’s physical characteristics to narrow down a circle of presumed perpetrators. This paper presents a current state-of-the-art as regards the issue in question and perspectives for possible progress in predicting unknown perpetrators’ phenotypes. The text also contains the description of survey research conducted among the prosecutors in Cracow.