Professor Nessa Lynch receives Public Service Fellowship

11 Nov 2026

Professor Lynch will work on a new legal framework for emerging DNA identification techniques

The Research Ireland programme helps strengthen evidence-informed policy, decision making and public trust.

Professor Nessa Lynch, Matheson Professor in Law, Innovation and Technology at the School of Law in UCC & a Principal Investigator in Rinn Artificial Intelligence, will be seconded to Forensic Science Ireland for a period of 18 months (part-time) to work on her project entitled ‘The feasibility of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) and other DNA based identification methods within the Irish Criminal Justice system’.

This project will propose a legal and ethical framework for the use of new and emerging DNA identification techniques in the criminal justice system in Ireland, particularly Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, which involves DNA analysis paired with genealogical research. This may be used in cold cases to identify suspects or victims and is in use in other jurisdictions. It also poses risks to individual and collective rights and interests.

Professor Lynch said:

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to work on potential legal and ethical frameworks for FIGG and other DNA based identification methods. This builds on my longstanding research expertise in emerging technologies in criminal justice systems and the principled and ethical use of new methods. This is an example of the School of Law's established record in contributing expertise to law and policy reform, and of the potential of the new Rinn AI centre in applying research expertise to policy.”