Undertaking Forensic Procedures With, and Databasing DNA From, Young Offenders: Future Directions for Human Rights Protections

Abstract

Forensic procedures and DNA profiling are commonly used policing techniques employed to solve crimes and prosecute offenders. In more recent times, there has been a focus on the implications of these processes with alleged young offenders. This paper discusses the broader human rights issues for young offenders around these procedures and processes in relation to a specific case study: legislative frameworks in Queensland, Australia. First, the paper overviews what forensic procedures and DNA databases are, generally, and the types of information that can be gleaned from DNA collected through forensic procedures and subsequently databased. Second, the paper analyses Queensland legislative frameworks in terms of human rights issues raised by conducting forensic procedures and DNA databasing with alleged young offenders. The paper concludes by considering possible future directions around forensic procedures and DNA databasing with alleged young offenders, with reference to existing legislative frameworks.