DNA and CODISDNA and CODIS

CSI UMMCCSI UMMC

From From http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/codis/index1.htm

DNA and CODIS DNA and CODIS

Combined DNA Index System Combined DNA Index System CODISCODIS CODIS began as a pilot project in 1990 CODIS began as a pilot project in 1990

serving 14 state and local laboratoriesserving 14 state and local laboratories.. The DNA Identification Act of 1994 The DNA Identification Act of 1994

(Public Law 103 - 322) formalized the (Public Law 103 - 322) formalized the FBI's authority to establish a national FBI's authority to establish a national DNA index for law enforcement purposes DNA index for law enforcement purposes

October 1998, the FBI's National DNA October 1998, the FBI's National DNA Index System (NDIS) became operational Index System (NDIS) became operational

NDIS (National DNA Index NDIS (National DNA Index System) System)

NDIS is the highest level in the NDIS is the highest level in the CODIS hierarchy, and enables the CODIS hierarchy, and enables the laboratories participating in the laboratories participating in the CODIS Program to exchange and CODIS Program to exchange and compare DNA profiles on a national compare DNA profiles on a national level level

How NDIS WorksHow NDIS Works CODISCODIS generates investigative leads in crimes where generates investigative leads in crimes where

biological evidence is recovered from the crime scene biological evidence is recovered from the crime scene using two indexes: the forensic and offender indexes.using two indexes: the forensic and offender indexes.

The The Forensic IndexForensic Index contains DNA profiles from crime contains DNA profiles from crime scene evidence.scene evidence.

The The Offender IndexOffender Index contains DNA profiles of contains DNA profiles of individuals convicted of sex offenses (and other violent individuals convicted of sex offenses (and other violent crimes) with many states now expanding legislation to crimes) with many states now expanding legislation to include other felonies.include other felonies.

Matches made among profiles in the Forensic Index Matches made among profiles in the Forensic Index can link crime scenes together; possibly identifying can link crime scenes together; possibly identifying serial offenders. Based on a match, police in multiple serial offenders. Based on a match, police in multiple jurisdictions can coordinate their respective jurisdictions can coordinate their respective investigations, and share the leads they developed investigations, and share the leads they developed independently. Matches made between the Forensic independently. Matches made between the Forensic and Offender indexes provide investigators with the and Offender indexes provide investigators with the identity of the perpetrator(s). After identity of the perpetrator(s). After CODISCODIS identifies a identifies a potential match, qualified DNA analysts in the potential match, qualified DNA analysts in the laboratories contact each other to validate or refute the laboratories contact each other to validate or refute the match.match.

Participating StatesParticipating States

April 2004 - 49 States, US Army, the April 2004 - 49 States, US Army, the FBI, and Puerto Rico FBI, and Puerto Rico

All states currently participate in All states currently participate in NDIS except forNDIS except for Mississippi Mississippi

StatisticsStatistics

As of April 2004 the profile As of April 2004 the profile composition of the National DNA composition of the National DNA Index System (NDIS) is as follows:Index System (NDIS) is as follows:

Total number of profiles:  Total number of profiles:  1,762,0051,762,005Total Forensic profiles:  80,302Total Forensic profiles:  80,302Total Convicted Offender Profiles:  Total Convicted Offender Profiles:  1,681,7031,681,703

Measuring SuccessMeasuring Success

Ultimately, the success of the CODIS Ultimately, the success of the CODIS program will be measured by the crimes program will be measured by the crimes it helps to solve.  CODIS's primary metric, it helps to solve.  CODIS's primary metric, the "Investigation Aided," is defined as a the "Investigation Aided," is defined as a case that CODIS assisted through a hit (a case that CODIS assisted through a hit (a match produced by CODIS that would not match produced by CODIS that would not otherwise have been developed).  As of otherwise have been developed).  As of April 2004, CODIS has produced over April 2004, CODIS has produced over 13,600 hits assisting in more than 16,600 13,600 hits assisting in more than 16,600 investigations.investigations.