United States
The US federal DNA database (CODIS) was established in 1998. It is the largest in the world.
The 2008 Interpol survey reports that 245,171 crime scene DNA profiles and 6,454,770 individuals' profiles, plus 519 missing persons' DNA profiles and 2,283 unknown/deceased DNA profiles were held in the US at the time of the survey.
The federal database includes DNA profiles submitted under laws which vary state by state. The Justice for All Act, 2004, expanded the national database by allowing the retention of DNA profiles from anyone charged with a felony offence. The Violence Against Women Act, 2005, allows DNA profiles to be uploaded on arrest, rather than on charge. DNA profiles taken from arrested persons are not automatically removed if the person is innocent, although the individual can request removal. About half of US states have changed their laws to allow collection of DNA on arrest. These laws are subject to ongoing legal challenges.
Resources
- External links
- US Supreme Court brief by Council for Responsible Genetics (February 2013)
- Electronic Frontier Foundation: DHS Considers Collecting DNA From Kids; DEA and US Marshals Already Do (14th May 2012)
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DNA Resource: United States
State by state laws, on the DNAResource website, run by Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs and sponsored by DNA testing company Life Technologies.
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Summary of DNA law in United States
By the Council for Responsible Genetics
- Press articles
- New York Daily News: Pioneer in DNA testing quits Medical Examiner's Office over lab violations (16th May 2013)
- Detroit News: Justices mixed on DNA database (27th February 2013)
- Genetic Engineering News: DNA Collection v. DNA Privacy (27th February 2013)
- WFPL News: Supreme Court Considers If Warrantless DNA Swab Violates Constitution (26th February 2013)
- McAlester News: Why collecting DNA from people who are arrested won't solve more crimes (16th February 2013)
- New York Times: Mishandling of DNA Evidence Is Found in Over 50 Cases at Crime Lab (31st January 2013)
- New York Times: New York Examines Over 800 Rape Cases for Possible Mishandling of Evidence (10th January 2013)
- Right Side News: Rapid DNA: Coming Soon to a Police Department or Immigration Office Near You (7th January 2013)
- Baltimore Sun: Supreme Court will review Md. DNA law (9th November 2012)
- Wired: Supreme Court Weighing Genetic Privacy (8th November 2012)
- PostCresent.com (Wisconsin): Expanded DNA collection draws fire (21st October 2012)
- Reuters: Citing privacy concerns, U.S. panel urges end to secret DNA testing (11th October 2012)
- Government Technology: Will Private DNA Services Replace State Crime Labs? (11th October 2012)
- VV Daily Press: No DNA samples without a conviction (2nd October 2012)
- Huffington Post: Why Are the Freemasons Collecting Our Children's DNA? (26th September 2012)
- PC Advisor: FBI eager to embrace mobile 'Rapid DNA' testing (18th September 2012)
- New York Times: DNA Match Tying Protest to 2004 Killing Is Doubted (11th July 2012)
- RT: Kids' DNA collection? Possible with Homeland Security (20th May 2012)
- Baltimore Sun: Md. high court strikes down DNA collection at arrest (24th April 2012)
- BBC: FBI's DNA database upgrade plans come under fire (17th October 2011)
- The Pottsdown Mercury: Convicted murderer wins court battle for DNA tests of evidence (20th September 2011)
- Boston Globe: Court says state can't hold DNA (26th August 2011)
- San Francisco Chronicle: DNA: Law requiring arrestees' samples struck down (5th August 2011)
- Huffington Post: Illinois Bill Could Allow State To Collect DNA From Those Presumed Innocent, Marking Nationwide Shift (26th May 2011)
- FAS Project on Government Secrecy: Joint Intelligence DNA Database Described (18th November 2008)
- Financial Times: Fears over covert DNA database (17th November 2008)