CODIS familial searching

a number of components must be in place before the database can be established and actually be effective:

• a commitment on the part of each state (and local) government to provide samples for the DNA database - both offender and crime scene samples

• a common set of DNA markers or standard core set so that results can be compared between all samples entered into the database

• standard software and computer formats so that data can be transferred between labs and a secure computer network to connect the various sites involved in the database

• quality standards so that everyone can rely on results from each lab

what are the 3 parts to forensic DNA databases

• collecting specimens from known criminals or other qualifying individuals as defined by law

• analyzing those specimens and placing their DNA profiles in a computer database

• comparing unknown or Q profiles obtained from crime scene evidence with the known or K profiles in the computer database

when was the national database launched

1988

what does CODIS stand for

the combined DNA index system

how many states initially participated in CODIS

9

how many states participated in CODIS by 1990

14

when was the DNA identification act enacted

1994

explain the DNA identification act

expressly authorized the NDIS and established the FBI’s authority to maintain it for law enforcement purposes

over how many public law enforcement labs in the us meet the requirements to participate in CODIS on the national level

190

in 2017, the CODIS core loci expanded from 13 to

20 STRs

NDIS stands for

national DNA index system

SDIS stands for

state DNA index system

LDIS stands for

local DNA index system

CODIS databases include DNA profiles in two different categories

• offender profiles

• forensic profiles

define offender profiles

• developed from reference standards collected directly from known individuals

• each state has independent legislation that determines which offenders will have samples collected and analyzed, and which DNA profiles will be entered into the offender index in CODIS

• congress has also authorized the collection of DNA samples from anyone arrested, facing charges or convicted of a federal offense

define forensic profiles

developed based on biological evidence recovered from the victim, the suspect or the crime scene

trends with states expanding the collection of DNA from individuals convicted of

any felony and now certain misdemeanors

trend has continued with states authorizing DNA samples to be collected at

the point of arrest rather than conviction

before forensic DNA profile can be entered into the forensic index of CODIS

labs must provide assurance that the evidence is associated with a criminal offense

proving evidence associated by criminal offense is accomplished by

• establishing the elements of the offense

• typically through the victims initial statement

historically most of the forensic profiles in CODIS have been collected in

cases of violent crimes against persons

there has been significant push for labs to enter DNA profiles for

property crimes

as profiles are submitted to all three indices within CODIS

routine comparisons are conducted

there are two types of matches - often referred to as hits

• hit to offender

• unknown to unknown

describe the hit to offender match

• where a forensic unknown profile matches to a known offender

• once the match is confirmed, the name of the offender will be provided to the lab that submitted the unknown, as well as the investigator in the case

• this type of hit can advance the case by

  • revealing the identity of a suspect that was previously unknown

  • confirm the identity of a suspect that was already known

  • exclude a suspect from consideration

  • connect a suspect with evidence collected from other crimes

describe unknown to unknown hit

• no known offender is identified, but two or more cases are identified as sharing the same forensic DNA profile

• the same (still unknown) perpetrator is involved

other possibilities also exist for DNA searches and matches

stringency of search can be set to high, moderate or low

define high stringency

requires a perfect match at every single allele

define moderate stringency

• requires all compared alleles to match, but allows the profiles to have different numbers of alleles

  • DNA profiles developed from forensic evidence may be partially degraded and lab results may indicate that there is DNA from more than one person

  • labs also use different typing kits for testing

define low stringency

• will not have the ability to identify a specific suspect with any degree of certainty, but could potentially help narrow down a list of suspects or exclude one or more suspects

  • can only be conducted at the local or state level

CODIS database search heiarchy

• LDIS - local

  • DNA profiles first entered here

  • HFSC searches weekly and pushes profiles to next level

• SDIS - state

  • overseen by DPS

  • DPS searches weekly and determines which profiles are pushed to the national level

• NDIS - national

  • houses all DNA profiles in the federal database

  • collected from labs across the country that participate in CODIS

  • FBI oversees

what is the DNA profile criteria

• DNA analysis generates a profile

• the profile is of sufficient quality

• the profile meets database entry requirements

what are the requirements to submit DNA data to NDIS

• DNA data must be generated in accordance with the FBI Director’s Quality Assurance Standards

• DNA data must be generated by a laboratory that is accredited by an approved accrediting agency

• DNA data must be generated by a laboratory that undergoes an external audit every two years to demonstrate compliance with the Quality Assurance Standards

• DNA data must be one of the categories of data acceptable at NDIS (such as convicted offender, arrestee, detainee, legal, forensic (casework), unidentified human remains, missing person or a relative of a missing person)

• DNA data must meet the minimum CODIS core loci requirements for the specimen category

• DNA must be generated using accepted PCR kits

• Participating laboratories must have the and follow expungement procedures in accordance with federal law

as of 2020 NDIS contains how many offender profiles

14,000,000

as of 2020 NDIS contains how many arrestee profiles

4,000,000

as of 2020 NDIS contains how many forensic profiles

1,000,000

as of 2020 NDIS has had how many hits

500,000

define familial searching

deliberate search of DNA databases to potentially identify lose biological relatives to unknown forensic profiles

familial searching is high risk meaning

• low probability of success

• rate of success nation wide 10-15%

familial searching uses

existing data and databases specifically for law enforcement use

familial searching limitations

• can lead to matches who are unrelated to the unknown forensic profile

  • requires additional lineage testing to narrow down the list

  • male profile - YSTR

• can be time consuming

  • 5-6 can be done in a year

• privacy/ethical concerns

  • infringes on citizens privacy interests

• not all states allow its use

only how many states are active in familial DNA programs

16

pros of CODIS/NDIS

• powerful tool for criminal investigations

  • helps law enforcement identify and convict suspects

  • develop investigative leads

  • resolve cold cases

  • use existing STR profile data

• used to exonerate wrongfully convicted people

• improves public safety