DNA technology causes social impacts and simultaneously fosters the emergence of new social relations.

This project focus the mutual interaction between forensic genetics and society. It addresses social, ethical, legal and political issues regarding the recent implementation of a DNA database in Portugal for criminal investigation and civil identification purposes.

It is aimed to generate relevant information for the definition of public policies in these matters and for the dissemination of knowledge to wide and diversified audiences.

Keywords: DNA database; forensic genetics; ethics; governance, public understanding of science and technology