The genetic identification and discretionary judgements about scientific controversy in the use of criminal justice

Identification by DNA analysis in criminal justice has a reputation for reliability that nothing seems to deny. By exploring the black boxes of the practices of expertise, which are so opaque for judicial personnel, our study reveals however, in accordance with the critical Anglo-Saxon literature, the existence of scientific uncertainties, which are often decisive in legislative choices or practices. Beyond the role of mere whistleblower, this contribution aims to identify the social mechanisms that on the one hand sometimes allow or not the resolution of scientific controversies and the removal of uncertainty, and on the other hand sometimes keep these uncertainties beyond the sight of judicial personnel and policy makers, so that these uncertainties remain inconspicuous or completely hidden. Adapted from the source document.