Swapping Carrots for Sticks: Forensic science provider views of the Forensic Regulator Act 2021

Amoako, Emmanuel Nsiah; McCartney, Carole

doi:10.1016/j.scijus.2022.07.010

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 27 publications

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“…This community articulates an epistemic culture of forensic genetics-defined practices of how knowledge is produced and validated, which may at times imperfectly align with commercial aims for the exploitation of forensic technologies [ 30 ]. In addition, while some questions of professional ethics may be currently addressed in respect of research, the same cannot be said for case work, which, if governed at all, is mostly done via tenuous legal regimes and voluntary codes of conduct [ 31 ]. Forensic geneticists thus must continue to individually navigate divergences between science and (criminal) justice, as well as expertise and non-expertise, [ 32 ], engage in ethical boundary-work [ 33 , 34 ], and continue in their efforts to proactively build a community [ 35 ].…”

Section: Why An Ethos For Forensic Genetics?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrity, Trustworthiness, and Effectiveness: Towards an Ethos for Forensic Genetics

Wienroth

Amankwaa

McCartney

2022

Genes

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Forensic genetics comes under critical scrutiny when developments challenge previously accepted legal, ethical, social, and other boundaries. Forensic geneticists continue to build a knowledge culture within a community of practice that acknowledges ethical standards of conduct in both research and the societal application of forensic genetics. As the community further cements and extends its societal role, and in that process often pushing at ethical and legal boundaries, it requires a strong, resilient, and responsive ethos that, in setting clear parameters for conduct, fosters the field’s sense of purpose. While supra-national declarations and human rights protections, coupled with local regulations, provide some parameters for practice, and discipline-specific guidance has refined an agenda for forensic genetics research and application, this maturing field needs to now define its core principles. This contribution proposes the values of integrity, trustworthiness, and effectiveness as a foundational triptych for a bespoke forensic genetics ethos to ensure the augmentation of developments that range from a purely science-oriented to a wider societally relevant knowledge culture.

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