A number of social challenges related to the use of Forensic DNA Phenotyping (FDP) within the criminal justice system was identified in the international context. The prominent concerns of FDP analysis are related to privacy, discrimination and interpretation of findings as well as other concerns relating to notions of resource allocation, utility, value and mis-use. In Italy, no structured public debate or legislative initiative concerning the use of FDP has yet been undertaken, and awareness among citizens, social stakeholders, legal practitioners, and policymakers remains limited. The LetFor project, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, pursued two primary objectives: first, to develop and validate genetic and epigenetic tools for FDP analysis in the Italian population using massive parallel sequencing (MPS) technologies—an area in which comprehensive genetic data remain scarce; and second, to investigate the level of knowledge and the perceptions of FDP within Italian society, while examining its potential benefits and risks from ethical, social, and regulatory perspectives. With regard to the second objective, the Forensic genetics experts collaborated together with the Department of Political Sciences and the Department of Law. Thirty-five anonymous semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from diverse sectors, including the legal field, law enforcement agencies, the media, civic associations, and forensic genetics experts. The interviews addressed issues directly related to the project’s scope. Findings indicate that, particularly among representatives of civil society and the media, there is a limited understanding of the potential applications of FDP. Stigmatization is predominantly framed as a societal concern associated with modes of communication, suggesting that the issue resides not in the technology per sé, but in its social interpretation and dissemination. Potential risks were identified in relation to data breaches and the possibility of inadequate expert evaluation. Furthermore, the influence of fictional representations and media simplification—commonly referred to as the “CSI effect”—emerged as a recurring theme. Several interviewees advocated restricting the use of FDP to serious crimes, while others expressed concerns regarding economic costs and the potential commercial exploitation of the technology. Overall, the results highlight the need for targeted professional training and effective public communication to support the responsible implementation of FDP. Strengthening awareness and promoting informed debate are essential to ensuring that the development and application of forensic technologies remain consistent with the protection of fundamental rights.

Authors

• Prof. Carla Bini - Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, BO, Italy
• Prof. Chiara Turchi - Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University,, Ancona, AN, Italy
• Dr. Arianna Giorgetti - Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, BO, Italy
• Dr. Federica Alessandrini - Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University,, Ancona, AN, Italy
• Prof. Mauro Pesaresi - Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Marche Polytechnic University,, Ancona, AN, Italy
• Prof. Susi Pelotti - Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Section of Legal Medicine, University of Bologna, Bologna, BO, Italy