earticle

영어

In recent years, the field of forensic genetics has achieved significant technological advancements, with the development of various new techniques that go beyond conventional STR analysis. The analytical product from them has considerable potential for application in criminal investigations and court proceedings, potentially expanding the scope of forensic application. However, despite their scientific potential, these innovations have not been fully integrated into practical settings such as criminal investigations and court proceedings. This study presents the results of a survey conducted among forensic practitioners in South Korea, focusing on the procedural, institutional, and communicative challenges with the legal community they experience in the field. The findings highlight recurring issues, including limited legal admissibility of new methods, a lack of comprehensive and standardized guidelines across forensic processes, and frequent misunderstandings between forensic experts and legal professionals. Respondents emphasized the need to improve the clarity and consistency of forensic reporting, enhance training for practitioners and legal professionals, and establish more effective channels of communication with the legal community. The study concludes that for forensic genetic technologies to lead to meaningful legal outcomes, scientific validity must be accompanied by legal acceptance, practical applicability, and interdisciplinary collaboration.