History and Purpose of the United States National DNA Database
As a society that is a big fan of forensics-focused television crime shows (like Bones, CSI, and Numb3rs),
one is superficially aware of the existence, purpose and use of the United States’ National DNA Database.
In these shows, crime-fighters search through the database to find matches between the DNA of crime
suspects and the DNA of those people who are already entered into the system.
The National DNA Database is a collection of DNA samples, which is maintained by the government. The
purpose of the database is to collect and store individual DNA. This storage system can then be searched by
law enforcement agencies that are trying to use DNA evidence to figure out who committed a crime. As is
seen in the television shows, DNA collected at a crime site can be entered into the system to determine if
the person matching that DNA is already in the system and, if so, this information is used to figure out who
committed the crime.
History of the National DNA Database
The National DNA Database was launched as CODIS, the Combined DNA Index System which was
started by the FBI. The FBI gathered information from local, state and federal databases to create a
nationwide database. Originally, this was solely for the purpose of cataloguing the DNA of sex offenders
and it eventually grew into the full DNA database that it is today.
The pilot project for CODIS was launched in 1990 but it would take nearly another decade before the
nationwide program was launched. In 1994, the DNA Identification Act of 1994 was signed which gave
approval to the pilot program and allowed it to be fully developed into a national database. It also set forth
the guidelines for creating this database. However, it took another eight years before the plan to be
completely put into place. In 1998, the DNA Database was finally launched.
The DNA Database grew as different types of individual DNA were added to it. As stated, it started off as a
collection of DNA samples from convicted sex offenders. Over time, the database has expanded by adding
all convicted offenders and then all arrested offenders and then also adding the information about missing
or unidentified persons. How DNA is collected from which individuals depends on the individual rules set
forth by each state. However, all 50 states do have mandatory DNA collection for convicted offenders of
certain crimes (such as murder) and many have more lenient rules about who is required to give DNA
samples to be added to the database. This has created a comprehensive database that stores the DNA of
over 4 million people.
How the National DNA Database Works in the Crime Lab
So how does this actually work in the real world? Surprisingly, it isn’t a lot different from what they show
in the TV series that touch on this topic. At the time at which a crime is committed, forensic evidence is
collected. A DNA profile is developed from this evidence relying on certain markers in the DNA. The first
thing that happens is that the crime fighters see if they already have a suspect and compare that person’s
DNA with the DNA profile.
If there is no suspect or the suspect’s DNA isn’t a match, then the crime lab will compare the DNA profile
to the database to see if there is a “hit”. A hit means that there is a likely match for the DNA. Law
enforcement will then pursue the lead to determine if the match is the person who committed the crime. In
some cases, there isn’t necessarily a match with a known individual but there may be a match of the DNA
in one case with the DNA in another open case. This allows law enforcement to link the two crimes to gain
more information about the individual who committed both crimes.
Controversy Surrounding the National DNA Database
Using DNA to trace people who are suspected of committing a crime has been a major advance in policing.
When DNA profiling is used wisely it can help to convict people who have committed serious crimes or
exonerate people who are innocent. However, concerns arise when individuals’ tissue samples,
computerized DNA profiles and personal data are stored indefinitely on a DNA database. There are
concerns that this information could be used in ways that threaten people’s individual privacy and rights of
their families. Some people believe it should have remained solely for sex offender DNA collection. Others
believe that mandatory DNA collection from certain types of criminals and arrestees is a violation of
individual privacy:
[4th Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants
shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.]
Still others are concerned that the technology for matching DNA isn’t up to par yet and that therefore DNA
evidence is sometimes used to convict innocent offenders. The courts at the local, state and national level
regularly address all of these concerns, but the existing guidelines for the DNA database are designed to
limit problems related to these concerns. It is important to note that the development of a national database
for DNA has potential uses outside of the crime lab. The main tool is for the purpose of research into DNA
done by medical researchers.
Using DNA to trace people who are suspected of committing a crime has been a major advance in policing.
When DNA profiling is used wisely it can help to convict people who have committed serious crimes or
exonerate people who are innocent. However, concerns arise when individuals’ tissue samples,
computerized DNA profiles and personal data are stored indefinitely on a DNA database. There are
concerns that this information could be used in ways that threaten people’s individual privacy and rights of
their families.