AWARENESS OF BENEFITS AND RISKS ON DNA PROFILE STORAGE IN FORENSIC DNA DATABANK: MALAYSIAN EXPERIENCE

Abstract

In order to help in crime solving and justice upholding, the Forensic DNA Databank of Malaysia (FDDM) was formally founded in December 2015. Government initiatives are raising public awareness, but there are still some misconceptions and worries concerning the gathering, storing, and use of DNA samples and data. Therefore, the objective of the study is to reveal the awareness of benefits and risks of profile storage in forensic DNA data banks. A small number of public informants were chosen using the qualitative technique. These included ten informants among public and five practitioners from the Royal Malaysia Police (RMP). The thematic analysis method is used in this study, and the findings are very unexpected. The results of Focus Group Discussions (FGD) indicate that informants' knowledge of the benefits and risks of storing DNA profiles in forensic DNA data banks is still lacking. If practitioners in the relevant authorities have a low level of awareness, it clearly shows the question of how the Malaysian forensic DNA data bank is sustainable in the eyes of the public. In recommendations, the government can work with all important government agencies, such as the judicial system, the attorney general's office, and the department of chemistry to increase the awareness among public on the benefits and risks on storing DNA profile in forensics DNA databank. It is intended that future research will involve more relevant stakeholders and employ a combination of methodological approaches for wider scope.