Dna forensic data bank, facts and perception: The Italian experience

In 2016 the Italian National Dna database for forensic purposes finally went live. After seven years of “operational life”, numbers and results are still scarce. The aim of the study is to evaluate the actual knowledge and perceived usefulness of this investigative tool among a significant sample of Italian magistrates. The research was conducted through the administration of an anonymous structured questionnaire to magistrates belonging to the Court of Milano. The overall picture emerging from the questionnaire is a worrying lack of preparation regarding the functioning of the Dna database among judges and public prosecutors. This situation affects the performance of the instrument. The authors believe that a specific and compulsory training for magistrates should be introduced.