Incidental Findings in Forensic Investigations: A Narrative Review
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
3. Results
3.1. Ethical Issues
3.2. Legal Issue
3.3. DNA Databases
3.4. The Importance of the Informed Consent
3.5. How to Act with a Minor: Informed Consent and Consequences
4. Discussion
“I give the authorization to communicate to me any eventual incidental findings discovered. If any incidental findings are discovered, I give the authorization to communicate it to me only in case my health or the health of my relatives is threatened.”
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Incidental Findings in Forensics | |
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Ethical Issue | |
Van Heyningen V. and Cox D.R., 2002 [24] Teodorović S. et al., 2017 [18] Varsha, 2016 [25] Caenazzo L. at al., 2013 [26] Levitt M., 2007 [19] Scudder N. et al., 2018 [27] White T.J. and Lee S.B., 2002 [20] Caenazzo L. et al., 2020 [1] Kennett D., 2019 [22] | Limits Lack of general ethical guidelines since DNA can provide insights into many aspects of people and their families with ethical implications that cannot be ignored. |
Legal Issues | |
Caenazzo L. et al., 2021 [3] Bellis MA. et al., 2005 [13] Caenazzo L. et al., 2020 [1] | Limits It is not clear who has to disclose incidental findings to the individuals involved. |
DNA Databases | |
Samuel G. et al., 2018 [21] Moran KS., 2018 [28] Mateen RM. et al., 2021 [29] Levitt M., 2007 [19] Fernandez HK., 2005 [30] Tozzo et al., 2017 [31] | Limits The need to sensitize people to the difference between DNA databases and biobanks is high. |
Informed Consent | |
Katsanis SH. et al., 2018 [32] Scudder N. et al., 2018 [27] Nijhawan L. et al., 2013 [33] Machado H. and Silva S., 2015 [34] Robertson JA., 2003 [35] | Limits Lack of standard form regarding incidental findings to add to the informed consent currently in use. |
Informed Consent in Cases of Minors | |
Tozzo P. et al., 2010 [36] Burke W. and Diekema D.S., 2006 [37] Nijhawan L. et al., 2013 [33] | Limits It is not clear whether a minor will need to be recontacted and informed about his/her parents’ decisions once he/she reaches adult status. |
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Fasani, G.; Gino, S.; Sguazzi, G. Incidental Findings in Forensic Investigations: A Narrative Review. Forensic Sci. 2023, 3, 345-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci3020026
Fasani G, Gino S, Sguazzi G. Incidental Findings in Forensic Investigations: A Narrative Review. Forensic Sciences. 2023; 3(2):345-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci3020026
Chicago/Turabian StyleFasani, Giulia, Sarah Gino, and Giulia Sguazzi. 2023. "Incidental Findings in Forensic Investigations: A Narrative Review" Forensic Sciences 3, no. 2: 345-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci3020026
APA StyleFasani, G., Gino, S., & Sguazzi, G. (2023). Incidental Findings in Forensic Investigations: A Narrative Review. Forensic Sciences, 3(2), 345-356. https://doi.org/10.3390/forensicsci3020026