Ethical issues of the research and practice in forensic genetics

Forensic genetics mainly uses human biological samples as the objects, solves the identification of biological materials related to law by detecting genetic information, provides clues for investigation and evidences for trial, thus facing many ethical issues. This paper put forward the ethical principles in forensic genetics research and practice, and discussed the ethical issues in sample collection, forensic DNA phenotyping, forensic genetic genealogy analysis, forensic DNA database development, paternity and kinship testing, and research data sharing. We suggest that specific ethical requirements should be formulated, the ethical review system should be established for forensic genetics and ethical training for practitioners should be strengthened.