NCJ Number
195856
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 66 Issue: 1 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 30-32
Date Published
June 2002
Length
3 pages
Annotation
This article explains the rationale for deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) testing, the history of its forensic use, and the nature of the Federal probation system's involvement in it.
Abstract
Evidence collected from a crime scene is used to create a DNA profile. Technology now allows DNA testing of a much larger array of crime scene evidence than was the case even a few years ago. The laboratory uses a computerized search to compare the DNA profile with the convicted offender index to search for a match that can identify the perpetrator. The DNA profile from the crime scene is also run against DNA profiles from other crime scenes in the forensic index to determine whether other crimes may be linked to the current one. DNA samples can be relied upon to match crimes to offenders because of the virtual certainty of identification by using this method. Beginning December 2001, Federal probation officers are required to collect samples of DNA from certain classes of convicted offenders. The parameters of this requirement are specified in Federal legislation passed in December 2000, entitled the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000. The purpose of this law is to expand the number of DNA samples in the national index of samples, and thus increase the possibility for solving crimes. Although all 50 States have already been collecting DNA samples from qualifying offenders, the national index was lacking samples from Federal, District of Columbia, and military offenders. This law fills that gap. Since implementation of this law, Congress has passed the 2001 USA Patriot Act, which broadens the list of qualifying Federal offenses to include "violent offenses."