Critics of the FBI’s planned upgrade to its Codis system, which generates the individual genetic profiles stored in a national DNA database, shared their doubts at the Promega 22nd International Symposium on Human Identification earlier this month. The FBI has decided to increase the number of genetic markers, known as core loci, Codis uses to search the database from 13 to 24. Former FBI scientist Dr. Bruce Budowle, who helped select the current Codis genetic markers, and his colleagues cited such concerns as chance DNA matches between unconnected people, discrepancies in how the core loci were chosen, problems with large-fragment markers and the exclusion of Y chromosome markers that could be used for familial searches. Dr. Budowle said that the FBI should have discussed the upgrade with forensic scientists. Dr. Douglas R. Hares, who leads the group responsible for the upgrade, said that impartial criteria were used to choose the markers and that the group conferred with the manufacturers of DNA analysis kits. Dr. Budowle advised the FBI to conduct more research on how well different markers have worked in forensic investigations before determining which ones to use.

Source: BBC News