Internet and semantic web, database systems and libraries
Law, criminology, penology
Forensic technologies, others
Web and information systems, database systems, information retrieval and digital libraries,
data fusion
Forensic DNA elimination databases are valuable tools for identifying potential contamination
risks during forensic investigations. This study provides a comparative analysis of
the design, implementation, and effectiveness of forensic DNA elimination databases
across seven European countries: Sweden, Germany, Czechia, Poland, the Netherlands,
the UK, and Finland. Data were collected through structured inquiries sent to ENFSI
member states’ forensic DNA laboratories, focusing on key aspects such as legal frameworks,
database sizes, and contamination cases identified through the elimination database.
The results reveal significant differences in the establishment and management of
these databases, reflecting diverse legal and operational contexts. The findings underscore
the need to ensure that all European countries implement their elimination databases
to standardize forensic procedures and improve the reliability of DNA evidence. Furthermore,
the study highlights the importance of introducing harmonized frameworks for forensic
DNA elimination databases to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in
forensic DNA practices across Europe.
