Mónika Nogel

56928457100

Publications - 13

Forensic DNA elimination databases in Europe: A comparative analysis of data from seven countries

Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Synergy

Publication Date: 2025-12-01

Volume: 11

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Forensic DNA elimination databases are valuable tools for identifying potential contamination risks during forensic investigations. This study provides a comparative analysis of the design, implementation, and effectiveness of forensic DNA elimination databases across seven European countries: Sweden, Germany, Czechia, Poland, the Netherlands, the UK, and Finland. Data were collected through structured inquiries sent to ENFSI member states’ forensic DNA laboratories, focusing on key aspects such as legal frameworks, database sizes, and contamination cases identified through the elimination database. The results reveal significant differences in the establishment and management of these databases, reflecting diverse legal and operational contexts. The findings underscore the need to ensure that all European countries implement their elimination databases to standardize forensic procedures and improve the reliability of DNA evidence. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of introducing harmonized frameworks for forensic DNA elimination databases to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in forensic DNA practices across Europe.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100617

Hungarian legislation regarding implementing a forensic DNA elimination database

Mónika Nogel

Publication Name: Forensic Science International

Publication Date: 2024-08-01

Volume: 361

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

The inception of forensic DNA elimination database represents a pivotal advancement in forensic science, aiming to streamline the process of distinguishing between DNA found at crime scenes and that of individuals involved in the investigation process, such as law enforcement personnel and forensic lab staff. In subsequent phases, once familiarity with the database is achieved by its administrators and other stakeholders, and they have accrued sufficient experience, the possibility of expanding the database to encompass first responders—including firefighters, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other emergency services personnel—can be contemplated. Key challenges in managing these databases encompass the grounds for collecting samples, ensuring the integrity of both samples and profiles, along with the duration of retention, access to the database, and the protocols to follow when a match is found in the database. This paper outlines the conceptual and detailed legislative framework in Hungary, where the forensic DNA elimination database was introduced in 2022.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2024.112154

Some areas where digital forensics can support the addressing of legal challenges linked to forensic genetic genealogy

Mónika Nogel

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Digital Investigation

Publication Date: 2024-06-01

Volume: 49

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: Unknown

Description:

Forensic genetic genealogy (FGG), also known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG), produces investigative leads in criminal cases where unidentified DNA is discovered at the crime scene and does not match any profiles in criminal databases. It works by comparing crime scene DNA samples to public or private genealogical databases to identify potential familial relationships and narrow down suspects or identify unknown individuals. Although the fields of FGG and digital forensics (DF) work with different types of evidence and techniques, and consequently develop independently, they share several common characteristics. This study aims to demonstrate that despite their independent development and differences, the experiences of progress in DF field can be utilized in some respects, especially concerning the protection of the rights of the individuals concerned. The aim of this article is to outline some areas where DF can provide assistance in dealing with ethical and social challenges that FGG must address.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsidi.2024.301696

HUNGARIAN REPORT ON TRADITIONAL CRIMINAL LAW CATEGORIES AND AI

Mónika Nogel Krisztina Karsai Barna Miskolczi

Publication Name: Revue Internationale De Droit Penal

Publication Date: 2023-01-01

Volume: 2023

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 253-267

Description:

The study is an edited and completed Hungarian national report prepared for the AIDP 2024 Congress in Syracuse's preparatory colloquium. The logic of the content is consistent with the logic of the questionnaire composed by Prof. Dr. Lorenzo Picotti during the preparatory phase and the content of the original report.1 In addition, it includes a brief description of the main features of Hungarian criminal law and a presentation of the government’s strategy to prepare society for digital challenges, taking into account its impact on generating scientific research.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available

How to regulate forensic familial DNA searching in Hungary?

Mónika Nogel

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2022-12-01

Volume: 8

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 136-137

Description:

Forensic DNA analysis has the potential to provide useful information for criminal justice even in cases where there is no match, neither between the DNA profile generated from the crime scene and the existing DNA profiles in criminal databases, nor between the DNA collected at a crime scene and potential suspects. In contrast to traditional forensic genetic testing, forensic familial DNA searching does not provide evidence, but helps to generate investigative leads and narrow down the range of potential offenders. The aim of this study is to examine, whether there is a need for special regulation of this topic in Hungary.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2022.10.010

Contamination of forensic DNA evidence in the light of Hungarian court decisions – A review of 25 years

Petra Zenke Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár Katalin Erdélyi

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2022-12-01

Volume: 8

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 242-244

Description:

The evaluation of forensic DNA expert opinions (in some countries expert witness testimonies) and the way it affects criminal judgement is of paramount importance. We have selected one of the largest challenges when it comes to the evaluation of forensic DNA evidence, contamination of DNA samples, and examined how it influences the decisions judges make about the credibility of DNA evidence in Hungary.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2022.10.049

The catalyst-like role of forensic genetics in the developmental process of Hungarian wildlife forensics

Petra Zenke Viktor Soma Poór Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2022-12-01

Volume: 8

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 263-264

Description:

The anthropocentric nature of forensic sciences has been changing continuously over the years and this process is continuing today. Due to its universality and multilateral implementation, and the fragmented nature of forensic epistemology, the information provided by forensic genetics can play a pivotal role in forensic science. At the same time, the link between forensic genetics and non-human forensic biological evidence has become unquestionable. It may highlight the modern requirements of forensic science, and this connection is also able to provide useful and sufficient examples for developmental processes in wildlife forensics. Obviously, the local formations, organizations, and operations of wildlife forensics can be different worldwide, but the detection and punishment of wildlife-related criminal behavior, as well as the prevention of further crimes, play a relevant role in these processes everywhere.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2022.10.056

Legislation of forensic DNA analysis in Hungary - past, present and future

Mónika Nogel Andras Czebe Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2019-12-01

Volume: 7

Issue: 1

Page Range: 604-606

Description:

Ever since the first application of DNA analysis in criminal casework in 1992, the conditions under which forensic DNA analysis is performed within the Hungarian law have been developed and subsequently approved, in parallel with the establishment of a national database report of forensic DNA. Act XLVII of 2009 (on the Criminal Records System, on the Records of EU Member State Court Rulings against Hungarian Citizens as well as on the Records of Biometric Criminal and Law Enforcement Data) constituted the legal framework for this. Moreover, Act XXIX of 2016 (on Judicial Experts), Act CXII of 2011 (on the Right of Informational Self-Determination and on Freedom of Information), as well as Regulation 12/2016. (V.4.) of the Minister of Interior (on Rules of Taking Fingerprints, Palm prints, Photographs and DNA samples), as well as the Provisions of 31/2008. (XII. 31.) of the Minister of Local Government (on the work of forensic experts, respectively) went on to specify the professional requirements necessary for forensic DNA analysis. The regulations of the EU must also be taken into consideration. Of particular significance, are the escalations undertaken by the EU for the purpose of combating transnational crime as developed in the Prüm Treaty, and, under Council Decision 2008/615/JHA and Council Decision 2008/616/JHA, became ratified into its partial transformation into an EU-wide tool for cooperation. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has also introduced a new and seemingly far-reaching exemption to the general prohibitive conditions applied to the processing of genetic data. The question of whether, and which kind of, consent is required remains left to other applicable EU and national laws. The aim of this study is to provide an overview on how Hungarian legislation of forensic DNA has changed over the past 27 years, to illustrate the current legal context in addition to providing a conceptual theoretical framework for future legislation, including the rules of forensic DNA typing and legal regulation connected to DNA-databases.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.10.107

A work in progress - accreditation of forensic DNA laboratories as a part of the, European Forensic Science Area 2020 (EFSA 2020)” concept

Mónika Nogel Andras Czebe Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2019-12-01

Volume: 7

Issue: 1

Page Range: 836-837

Description:

As 2020 is approaching, various stakeholders and EU Member States are currently implementing some elements of the EFSA2020 concept. EFSA2020 offers Europe the chance to raise the quality level of its forensic science and in doing so, improve the public's confidence in the administration of justice. However, there is plenty of opportunity for further progress in creating the common forensic area. The paper will focus on accreditation of forensic DNA laboratories in V4 countries.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.10.195

Developing legal regulation of forensic DNA-phenotyping in Hungary

Mónika Nogel Andras Czebe Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2019-12-01

Volume: 7

Issue: 1

Page Range: 609-611

Description:

Traditional DNA forensics uses short tandem repeats (STRs) to match a DNA sample to a suspect or a database. However, when no suspect has been identified and there is a lack of database hits, these markers cannot help the investigators to solve a crime. A considerable amount of literature has been published on DNA phenotyping in the past few years. Not surprisingly, some ethical and legal aspects are needed to be discussed about FDP since this technology provides a greater number of details about the proprietary ownership of samples, their family members, even as about their larger community (ethnical group).

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2019.10.109

Sick-pay trends of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary between 1997 and 2017

Mónika Nogel

Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap

Publication Date: 2019-02-01

Volume: 160

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: 37-42

Description:

Introduction: The role of sick-pay is to compensate for loss of wage in case of incapacity for work, to ensure that there will be no break in the existential state of the incapacitated person. Aim: The purpose of our research was to examine data on sickness benefit and payroll data for the period 1997–2017. Data and methods: Our research was based on the data of the National Health Insurance Fund of Hungary, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, the State Audit Office of Hungary and the Hungarian State Treasury as well as on the background reports of the European Commission's Social Protection Committee and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and it is based on the legal environment of sick-pay. Results: In 1997, there were 119 000 of 3.558 million, in 1998 114 000 of 3.530 million, in 1999 115 000 of 3.433 million, in 2000 112 000 of 3.465 million, in 2006 100 000 of 3.523 million, in 2012 55 000 of 3.769 million entitled people on sick leave on average per day. In 2017, the number of entitled persons increased to 4.018 million, while the average number of sick days per day was 70 000. According to data from gender and age-based analysis, in most cases, women with childbearing were on sick-leave, the proportion of males was higher in relation to industrial accident. Between 2014 and 2016, the proportion of women on sick leave per day was 59–60%, while the major reason for sick-pay among men was the industrial accident. The distribution by age did not change significantly. In 2014–2015, the age-group 30–34, while in 2016 the age-group 35–39 had the highest utilization of sick-pay. Conclusion: We can conclude that the use of sick-pay is affected by the employment rate, legal changes affecting the amount of sick-pay and social trends like substitution difficulties due to labor shortages and fear of losing jobs.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1556/650.2019.31391

Accreditation of forensic laboratories as a part of the “European Forensic Science 2020” concept in countries of the Visegrad Group

Mónika Nogel Gábor Kovács Zsolt Pádár

Publication Name: Forensic Science International Genetics Supplement Series

Publication Date: 2015-12-01

Volume: 5

Issue: Unknown

Page Range: e412-e413

Description:

Globalising, cross-border crime has led EU Member States to improve methods of fighting crime on an international level as well as to increase the mutual recognition of collecting and analysing evidence by one another. In the interest of the regulated and scheduled implementation of the harmonization process, the Council of the EU made a decision of The Vision for European Forensic Science 2020 including the creation of a European Forensic Science Area and the development of forensic science infrastructure in Europe [EFSA 2020] to ensure the equivalence of professional forensic examinations. The collection, processing, use and delivery of forensic data will be based on equivalent minimum forensic science standards, and forensic service providers will work on the basis of a common approach to implement these standards that foster closer cooperation between them and criminal justice systems. The accreditation of forensic laboratories is a corner stone of the above mentioned objectives [1–3]. Ensuring the integrity of DNA profiles the Council issued decision 2008/616/JHA the application of EN ISO/IEC 17025 standard regarding the operation of testing and calibration laboratories has been ordered [4]. According to Council Framework Decision 2009/905/JHA on the accreditation of judicial expert laboratories, the laboratories have to be accredited until 30th November 2015 [5]. We investigated the regulations, decisions and rules national and international measures of the given area.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: 10.1016/j.fsigss.2015.09.163

HISTORY OF HUMAN GENETICS IN NUTSHELL: FROM MENDEL TO CRISPR-BABIES

Mónika Nogel

Publication Name: Medicine and Law

Publication Date: 2022-01-01

Volume: 41

Issue: 4

Page Range: 599-610

Description:

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna in 2020 for the development of CRISPRI, a method for genome editing. CRISPR/ Cas9 was initially developed in 2012, just six years later a Chinese researcher claimed that twin girls had been born via genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9, shocking the scientific community. This situation is reminiscent of the reaction to recombinant DNA in the 1970's where the scientific community aimed to impose a voluntary moratorium on experiments involving recombinant DNA until the potential risks were clear. Just a year later the moratorium was lifted. This teaches one very important lesson: science is a uniquely human endeavor and challenges traditional ideas and values. The aim of this article is to show that there are lessons to be learned from the history of science.

Open Access: Yes

DOI: DOI not available