The contribution of DNA analysis or genetic fingerprinting in a context of insecurity in Burkina Faso: technologies and challenges

Abstract

At the end of the 19th century, the use of fingerprints as a means of identifying missing persons and as evidence in criminal cases was revolutionary. Today, genetic fingerprint analysis, also known as DNA analysis, is booming and constitutes one of the most significant techniques in human identification, both in forensic science and in other fields, with the possibility of amplifying a few fragments of nuclear and/or mitochondrial DNA. DNA is the material of choice for human identification, as it contains a large number of polymorphisms and can be extracted from cells present in biological fluids, hair bulbs or even anatomical tissue samples. In addition, DNA databases storing the autosomal STR profiles of suspects, convicts, missing or unidentified persons etc. have become powerful tools for investigating crime worldwide. If DNA is the world's foremost means of human identification, what is the situation in Burkina Faso ? What are the challenges of using human identification technologies in our country ? What contribution could genetic fingerprinting make to security in Burkina Faso ? These are just some of the questions we've tried to answer inthis literature review.