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Análise Social
Print version ISSN 0003-2573
Abstract
MACHADO, Helena; SILVA, Susana and AMORIM, António. Identity politics: DNA profile and the genetic-criminal identity. Anál. Social [online]. 2010, n.196, pp.537-553. ISSN 0003-2573.
DNA is seen by many as the true basis of human identity, insofar as it is a biological structure that is, in principle, unique in each individual. This notion of uniqueness, a fundamental pillar of criminal investigation and forensic genetics, has fostered identity politics by modern states through the classification and storage of information about criminals. This article explores the alignment of science and state bureaucracy for producing the genetic-criminal identity in the context of the Portuguese forensic DNA database for forensic purposes. We discuss the impacts of this sort of identity politics for the management, categorization, and surveillance of individuals classified as criminals.
Keywords : DNA; identity; database; ethnicity.