THE USE OF GENETIC MATERIAL IN THE ELUCIDATION OF CRIMES AGAINST LIFE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the scientific production related to the use of genetic material in the elucidation of crimes against human life. Method: systematic review of the literature carried out during the period of January and February 2021 in the databases: LILACS SCiELO, PubMed and ScienceDirect. Original national and international studies, published in Portuguese and / or English, available electronically in full, between the years 2000 to 2020 were included in the research. Results: 11 studies were selected for final analysis, those which dealt with the use of genetic material in cases of sexual violence, presence of DNA in nail samples in homicides, use of DNA in releasing victims who have been unfairly convicted, opening cases of unsolved crimes, use of behavioral forensic genetics in criminal proceedings, tri-allelic pattern of short repetitions in murder cases involving monozygotic twins, age-dependent DNA methylation markers and case evaluation from new investigative hypotheses. Discussion: molecular biology plays an important role in the investigation, elucidation of serious crimes, in addition to contributing to the reduction of impunity and the resolution of unfair convictions. The use of genetic material and / or the analysis of DNA profiles has been a tool widely used by technical experts and that has made it possible to accurately identify the perpetrators of crimes. Final considerations: new scientific investigations in the context of molecular biology can empower and qualify the process of elucidating heinous cases by criminal justice.