Protecting privacy of individuals is critical for forensic genetics. In a kinship/identity testing, related DNA profiles between user's query and the DNA database need to be extracted. However, unrelated profiles cannot be revealed to each other. The challenge is today's DNA database usually contains millions of DNA profiles, which is too big to perform privacy-preserving query with current cryptosystem directly. In this thesis, we propose a scalable system to support privacy-preserving query in DNA Database. A two-phase strategy is designed: the first is a Short Tandem Repeat index tree for quick fetching candidate profiles from disk. It groups loci of DNA profiles by matching probability, so as to reduce I/O cost required to find a particular profile. The second is an Elliptic Curve Cryptosystem based privacy-preserving matching engine, which performs match between candidates and user's sample. In particular, a privacy-preserving DNA profile matching algorithm is designed, which achieves O(n) computing time and communication cost. Experimental results show that our system performs well at query latency, query hit rate, and communication cost. For a database of one billion profiles, it takes 80 seconds to return results to the user.

No abstract available / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Mercantile Law / unrestricted

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) database is utilized in all 50 states for matching DNA evidence with criminal suspects. While each state administers CODIS, which ultimately feeds into a national database, little is understood about how citizens in states perceive the utility of such a database and how their perceptions and knowledge of DNA could impact state policy changes though voting. Research also suggests that the "CSI Effect" may impact how citizens perceive the role of a national DNA database. Grounded on Gerbner's cultivation theory, the purpose of this study was to determine if, in Alabama, there is a statistically significant relationship between the likelihood of providing DNA and the educational level and gender of study participants and perceptions concerning expanded support state participation in CODIS. Data were collected through an online survey administered to a random sample (n = 584) residents of Alabama that focused on examined the relationships between demographics variables of age, race or ethnicity, level of education and the CSI effect, and support of increased participation in in a standardized national DNA database. Findings indicate that there is not a statistically significant relationship between the CSI effect and support of participation in CODIS. However, data analysis revealed that level of education (p=.05) and gender (p=

<p>Forensic DNA databases are expanding in both use and range. In particular, the U.K. and U.S. are developing new techniques and policies in regards to their forensic DNA databases with the hope of increasing the role of forensic DNA databases in criminal investigations. Despite the goal of reducing crime, there are ethical concerns that arise with the ways in which these forensic DNA databases are being developed. This paper outlines the technical aspects of forensic DNA databases and then describes different conceptions of identity, using race as an example of a constructed identity that is relevant in the use of forensic DNA databases. Then it explains how forensic DNA databases construct a unique identity with the goal of ascribing this to people and groups. This ascribed identity is problematic, and different problems that are related to identity are discussed. Despite the benefits of forensic DNA databases, these problems are ethically relevant and as such, a series of policy recommendations are made with the aim of balancing the harms and benefits of forensic DNA databases.</p>

Forensic DNA databases are expanding in both use and range. In particular, the U.K. and U.S. are developing new techniques and policies in regards to their forensic DNA databases with the hope of increasing the role of forensic DNA databases in criminal investigations. Despite the goal of reducing crime, there are ethical concerns that arise with the ways in which these forensic DNA databases are being developed. This paper outlines the technical aspects of forensic DNA databases and then describes different conceptions of identity, using race as an example of a constructed identity that is relevant in the use of forensic DNA databases. Then it explains how forensic DNA databases construct a unique identity with the goal of ascribing this to people and groups. This ascribed identity is problematic, and different problems that are related to identity are discussed. Despite the benefits of forensic DNA databases, these problems are ethically relevant and as such, a series of policy recommendations are made with the aim of balancing the harms and benefits of forensic DNA databases.