What will DNA Show Us Next?

The answer is molecular photofit, a 3-D image of the face of a person that leaves DNA at the scene of a crime. This computer generated image takes into consideration more individual variations in facial structure (not just ethnicity, hair color etc.) than has been done in the past. The planned use for this newer technology is to provide “evidence” and I use the term loosely here, for probable cause for search warrants and police questioning. Of course if you only resemble the perp, and are innocent of the crime, your DNA will clear you….eventually. This new use for DNA, molecular photofitting, is not intended to be used to convict, but wrongful arrests and unjustified searches that could easily result are violations of the 4^th Amendment. And then there are already concerns that this investigative tool is just another form of profiling. I wonder if it is already too late to have this technique independently validated for accuracy. Probably one more example of the cart before the horse as seems to happen with so many technological advances.