EPS apologizes for releasing DNA phenotyping composite sketch of Black sexual assault suspect
CTV
The Edmonton Police Service has apologized for releasing a composite sketch of a Black man in an attempt to solve a 2019 sexual assault. On Thursday, the head of the EPS sexual assault division acknowleged the criticism and apologized for releasing the image.
The Edmonton Police Service has apologized for releasing a composite sketch of a Black man in an attempt to solve a 2019 sexual assault.
The image was generated by a technology company in Virginia from the assailant’s DNA using a technique called phenotyping.
EPS said Tuesday that it had never used phenotyping before, but that Calgary and Saskatoon police have used it in the past.
Police justified releasing the image because of the violent nature of the assault.
“It was a vicious assault. Random stranger assault. And the survivor deserves justice, as well as the public," Det. Colleen Maynes, the officer in charge of the file, told reporters Tuesday morning.
Criticism of the use of phenotyping came swiftly.
“The technology doesn’t provide useful information beyond the stereotype,” Joshua Stein, Georgetown University post doctoral research fellow, told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
