Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP)

  • Unique Paper ID: 168613
  • PageNo: 1435-1438
  • Abstract:
  • Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) is a cutting-edge tool that predicts a person's physical traits—such as eye, hair, and skin color—based on DNA found at a crime scene. Unlike traditional DNA profiling, which requires a suspect's DNA for comparison, FDP helps investigators by generating leads even without a known suspect. It has proven particularly useful in cold cases and mass disaster victim identification. FDP works by analyzing specific genetic markers known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are linked to visible traits. While predictions for traits like eye and hair color are highly accurate, predicting more complex features, such as facial structure, remains a challenge. The technology is also evolving to incorporate advances in artificial intelligence and epigenetics, which may improve accuracy in the future. Despite its potential, FDP raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy, racial bias, and the accuracy of predictions across different populations. To ensure responsible use, ethical guidelines and regulations need to be developed. In summary, FDP is a powerful tool with significant potential to aid forensic investigations. However, its application must be carefully managed to balance the benefits with ethical concerns, especially as the technology continues to advance.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2026 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{168613,
        author = {animi moksha sri},
        title = {Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP)},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2024},
        volume = {11},
        number = {5},
        pages = {1435-1438},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=168613},
        abstract = {Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) is a cutting-edge tool that predicts a person's physical traits—such as eye, hair, and skin color—based on DNA found at a crime scene. Unlike traditional DNA profiling, which requires a suspect's DNA for comparison, FDP helps investigators by generating leads even without a known suspect. It has proven particularly useful in cold cases and mass disaster victim identification.
FDP works by analyzing specific genetic markers known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), which are linked to visible traits. While predictions for traits like eye and hair color are highly accurate, predicting more complex features, such as facial structure, remains a challenge. The technology is also evolving to incorporate advances in artificial intelligence and epigenetics, which may improve accuracy in the future.
Despite its potential, FDP raises ethical concerns, particularly regarding privacy, racial bias, and the accuracy of predictions across different populations. To ensure responsible use, ethical guidelines and regulations need to be developed.
In summary, FDP is a powerful tool with significant potential to aid forensic investigations. However, its application must be carefully managed to balance the benefits with ethical concerns, especially as the technology continues to advance.},
        keywords = {Forensic DNA phenotyping, externally visible characteristics, SNPs, forensic genetics, cold cases, ethical implications},
        month = {October},
        }

Cite This Article

sri, A. M. (2024). Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP). International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology (IJIRT), 11(5), 1435–1438.

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