[[''Design Fiction 3: DNA Phenotyping''|DPH1]]<img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=18YNR-jDqOm81zcomHmSZsZwtV5s1Pzzd" height="auto" width="100%">
The lab technician hands out the folders to the Operation Hiker task force. His colleagues in the lab call it “Operation Lost and Found” as most of the DNA they were processing was for missing person investigations. They’d had a steady flow of samples from new and cold cases over the past month. This was an opportunity to discuss results and for iD-NA Systems to cement the use of their ‘DNA-to-Face’ process in police investigations.
His boss, the head of the lab, thanks the tech and asks him to quickly describe their process for any members of the task force less familiar with [[DNA phenotyping|DPH2]]. Nervously, the technician explains:
“Well, essentially, using tissue samples like blood, skin, or hair, we extract and sequence a person’s DNA. This gives us details about the individual’s phenotypes, or observable traits. At the moment we’re focussing on physical characteristics. So, from a DNA sample, we can make inferences about a person’s age; hair and skin pigmentation; hair structure; face structure; as well as details about their facial features.
“We then use our own AI-Sketcher software which takes the phenotype information and generates a forensic profile portrait of the individual.
“We’re also exploring behavioural phenotypes which might be better to talk through in relation to a specific case.”
The tech looks back to his boss for confirmation, [[who nods.|DPH3]] A police detective says, “Okay, let’s start with a basic one. I think everyone has heard of the recent rescue of Freya Getting? Went missing in the Highlands; a vulnerable teenager with mental health issues. Obviously, no cameras in the area, no witnesses came forward. We were relying on the Drone Team to find a lead. Fortunately, [[they recovered|DPH4]] a hat with skin and hair cells. |==
<img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=198K8gPzbhdQXrdvPWTEC-v1qVh3I4LhW" height="auto" width="100%">
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"The DNA phenotyping predicted that the hat belonged to a young woman with matching ‘phenotypes’ as Freya: blonde hair, blue eyes, pale skin tone, for example. Basically, of Northern European descent. This meant we could really narrow our search area.
"A day later, we’ve found her; broken ankle, dehydrated, shaken up, but alive. Could have been a different story if she’d been out there any longer. Saved us a lot of staff and officer [[time too.|DPH5]]"
|==|The lab technician adds, ‘And that’s the basic functionality of our DNA-to-Face process. It only required a few characteristics to categorise the person and confirm to the Drone and Forensic teams that they were on the right track. We could do this at scale to generate profile images from samples…’
A Missing Persons Co-ordinator, looking less than convinced, cuts in: ‘Well, there are quite a lot of blonde-haired teenagers in Scotland. What if it had been a false lead?’
The head of the lab responds: ‘[[Maybe we should look|DPH6]] at the Stephens case?’The co-ordinator’s expression doesn’t change. ‘Sure, I’ll take this one. My team has been exploring using this technology to help with our long-term missing persons list. This is another missing teenager case, but way back in the 90s. Ron Stephens, 14, went missing from his family home outside of Kinbrace in 1993.
[[<img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=19A8uAvHbeCzwvxuwgUba-bi09y7Otjy8" height="auto" width="100%">|DPH6 attribution]]
‘There were a few call ins from the public - he was spotted hitch hiking, and walking along the coast - and then some sightings around Thurso in the company of an older man. All the papers said he must have been abducted, although suicide, unfortunately, is a possible outcome in my view.
DNA testing was just taking off, so the forensics team at the time were able to collect and store samples from his family home. We asked them to [[supply these to the lab|DPH7]] to see if they could update the images we have.’|==
<img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1A4NXilK-GYKdfrOwg_3TV_HibJCQ8ocI" height="auto" width="100%">
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The lab technician holds up the file: “We were able to analyse the phenotypes and use the the AI-sketcher to produce the following image of Ron, now in his mid-forties. Note, for example, the high probability for male pattern baldness. We think this is a great candidate to share with the media before rolling out the images from other cold cases.”
The co-ordinator says, “Yes, well, couple of issues I’d like to address. Firstly, he’s a missing person not a criminal. This looks a bit like a mug shot. Secondly, I think we’ll be inundated with false identifications. The image looks great, almost like a photo, but does it really distinguish Ron? [[It’s a bit generic.|DPH8]]”
|==| <p class="attribution">"<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43133911@N02/6110887024">2010-07-08 033 Kinbrace</a>" by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/43133911@N02">martyn jenkins</a> is licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 <img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/cc.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/by.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/nc.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/sa.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img></a>. </p>
[[Return|DPH6]] Looking to change the topic, the lab tech says, “We also have behavioural phenotypes that might be of use. We think there is a probability of mental health issues, potentially bipolar disorder. You could focus the search through health support services.”
The co-ordinator shrugs, “Well a high percentage of missing people have mental health issues, whether diagnosed or not. This is taken into account in our search protocols. That does beg another question though: do you think Ron would have wanted us to know and share his health issues? What consent mechanisms do we have to have in place? I know some of our community partners will be [[asking these questions.|DPH9]]”
|==
[[<img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1A_6U_FgowWqEwoXjql6G0_GPYPEcyLzO" height="auto" width="100%">|DPH9 Attribution]]
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Irritated, the lab tech says “Okay, well how about for instances where we know a serious crime has taken place?”
The police detective holds up a file and says “Yes, it’s hard to argue with this case. Violent assault of a hiker in the Cairngorms. The victim took a blow to the back of the head and couldn’t provide any details. However, Forensics found DNA samples from the suspected assailant. No record of the individual on any our databases but the lab was able to produce an image, which we ran through our facial recognition system. Bingo: Finn McLeod, 58. [[We have our suspect.|DPH10]]’
|==|The lab tech says, ‘Obviously, we can’t account for every environmental impact, but it’s a good likeness we think…’
The Missing Person’s co-ordinator interrupts: ‘But you haven’t found him yet?’
He points at the AI-generated image: ‘How confident are you that that's an accurate representation? What if it gives us a false match? We could spend a lot of time chasing after the wrong person.’
The detective adds, ‘Thinking about it, what if the person deliberately changes their appearance? Obviously, criminals don’t want to be found.’
The task force continue to discuss the [[different case files.|End]] [[Start again?|DF3]] <p class="attribution">"<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8798099@N02/4964161445">International Redhead Day 2010 - Internationale Roodharigen Dag 2010, Breda</a>" by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/8798099@N02">Qsimple, Memories For The Future Photography</a> is licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/?ref=openverse">CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 <img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/cc.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/by.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/nc.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img><img src="https://mirrors.creativecommons.org/presskit/icons/sa.svg" style="height: 1em; margin-right: 0.125em; display: inline;"></img></a>. </p>