Chapter 8 - DNA Databases: Uses and Issues

Abstract

This chapter discusses the DNA databases being used in the United States and throughout the world to stop criminals. Issues surrounding the use and potential expansion of DNA databases are also covered. Information sharing has always been crucial to successful law enforcement. Good information can solve crimes and ultimately save lives. DNA databases have demonstrated their ability to serve as valuable tools in aiding law enforcement investigations. Their effectiveness continues to grow, as the databases get larger. These databases can be used to locate suspects in crime cases that would otherwise never have been solved: An important role that DNA databases serve to make associations between groups of unsolved cases. Implementing an effective national DNA database is an enormous task. A number of components must be in place before the database can be established and actually be effective. These include: a commitment on the part of each state (and local) government to provide samples for the DNA database—both offender and crime scene samples and a common set of DNA markers or standard core set so that results can be compared between all samples entered into the database.