Combining Forensics and Genetics means combining two highly sensitive fields of professional activity. Forensic geneticists wear several different professional hats, being frequently at the same time researchers, educators, casework analysts, expert witnesses, data stewards and custodians, as well as policy advisors. All these different roles come with different compliance rules and navigation can be challenging, e.g. when conducting population genetic studies that serve at the same time goals in forensic practice and research.

The workshop will be split in two parts: In the first part, we will start with a short refresher about the international ethics principles applying to research studies in forensic genetics, revising and updating the discussions on our First report and from the ethics workshop at the 2024 ISFG meeting.

We will shift the focus to emerging ethical and legal challenges, discussing current developments with participants and define pressing requirements for action. In the second part of the workshop, we attempt to define ethical challenges going beyond the ethically sound conduction of population genetic studies with valid informed consent and Ethics Review Boards approvals. Together with the workshop participants, we will elaborate on long‑standing and emerging challenges, such as:

• Cyberbiosecurity issues when handling forensic genetic data;
• The relational nature of genetic data, when searching genetic genealogy databases;
• The treatment of incidental findings in Forensic Genetics;
• The use of Forensic Genetics in immigration control;
• The application of AI methods in Forensic Genetics research and practice;
• The potential stigmatizing impact of forensic works on equity seeking population groups.

We look forward to lively and enriching discussions with the participants.