Forensic DNA Phenotyping: A Review in Korean Perspective

Abstract

Current society understands the importance and capability of forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP), as a promising technique for supplementary investigative tool when the unknown short term repeat (STR) profile from person of interest fails to match anyone from DNA database [1,2]. In cases like these, FDP technique utilizes particular human externally visible characteristics (EVC) to deduce not only the physical appearance but also to estimate biological ages and even certain behavioral characteristics, such as smoking and alcohol consumption behaviors [1-4]. As FDP shows potential for its forensic operability by assuring reliable prediction results, Europe and America have already developed or in the process of developing prediction models, managing FDP as one of the investigative methods. Though Korea, as other Asian countries, is actively conducting researches regarding human EVCs, there are technological and administrative limitations for implementing such technique in Korea; further assessments and careful considerations are needed regarding the various aspects for introducing EVC Korean J Leg Med 2017;41:23-31 https://doi.org/10.7580/kjlm.2017.41.2.23