Q.4: who should be able to use DNA databases?
A.4: FBI, Prosecutors, government and police. genealogists can able to use DNA database.

MIS in action

Q.1: How does CODIS work? how is it designed?

A.1:CODIS uses two indexes to generate investigative leads in crimes for which biological evidence is recovered from a crime scene. The convicted offender index contains DNA profiles of individuals convicted of certain crimes ranging from certain misdemeanors to sexual assault and murder. Each State has different “qualifying offenses” for which persons convicted of them must submit a biological sample for inclusion in the DNA database. The forensic index contains DNA profiles obtained from crime scene evidence, such as semen, saliva, or blood. CODIS uses computer software to automatically search across these indexes for a potential match.
A match made between profiles in the forensic index can link crime scenes to each other, possibly identifying serial offenders. Based on these “forensic hits,” police in multiple jurisdictions or States can coordinate their respective investigations and share leads they have developed independent of each other. Matches made between the forensic and convicted offender indexes can provide investigators with the identity of a suspect(s). It is important to note that if an “offender hit” is obtained, that information typically is used as probable cause to obtain a new DNA sample from that suspect so the match can be confirmed by the crime laboratory before an arrest is made.

Q.2: what information does CODIS maintain?

• A.2:DNA identification records of persons convicted of crimes;
• analyses of DNA samples recovered from crime scenes;
• analyses of DNA samples recovered from unidentified human remains; and
• analyses of DNA samples voluntarily contributed from relatives of missing persons.
• CODIS includes a Missing Person Index which can match the DNA profiles of nuclear DNA technologies or mtDNA.

Q.3 who is allowe to use CODIS?

A.3 All 50 states , the FBI, and the U.S. army work this system.

Q.4: How does CODIS aid criminal investigations?

A.4: The real investigative power of DNA technology can be realized in its application to cases where a suspect has not yet been identified. DNA technology and the FBI's CODIS database can help law enforcement identify perpetrators or link serial crimes. CODIS uses two indices to generate investigative leads in crimes that contain biological evidence—the forensic index contains DNA profiles from biological evidence left at crime scenes, and the offender index contains DNA profiles of individuals convicted of violent crimes. Each state has a DNA database law that defines which convicted offenders must enter their profiles into the database. Some states have expanded their laws to require that all felons enter their DNA profiles into the state's database. The CODIS database enables local, state, and federal forensic crime laboratories to work together to solve crimes between jurisdictions or across state lines. While CODIS is operated on the state level, the FBI's national database (also known as the National DNA Index System or NDIS) may link profiles from the databases of each of the 50 states to provide law enforcement with a national network to investigate violent crime. The CODIS database will continue to have an impact on the identification of serial rapists and murderers who have committed crimes in more than one jurisdiction. It is important to realize that although the power of the CODIS database primarily is used in identifying perpetrators of crime, it also can affirm a suspect's innocence.

DNA DATABASES:

Q.1: What are the benefits of DNA database?

A.1:

• Identify potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes .
• Exonerate persons wrongly accused of crimes .
• Identify crime and catastrophe victims .
• Establish paternity and other family relationships .
• Identify endangered and protected species as an aid to wildlife officials (could be used for prosecuting poachers) .
• Detect bacteria and other organisms that may pollute air, water, soil, and food .
• Match organ donors with recipients in transplant programs .
• Determine pedigree for seed or livestock breeds .
• Authenticate consumables such as caviar and wine .

Q.2: what problems do DNA database?

A.2:

• Arrestees often are found innocent of crimes. The retention of innocent people's DNA raises significant ethical and social issues.
• If people’s DNA is in police databases, they might be identified as matches or partial matches to DNA found at crime scenes. This occurs even with innocent people, for instance, if an individual had been at a crime scene earlier or had a similar DNA profile to the actual criminal.
• Sensitive genetic information, such as family relationships and disease susceptibility, can be obtained from DNA samples. Police, forensic science services, and researchers using the database have access to people’s DNA without their consent. This can be seen as an intrusion of personal privacy and a violation of civil liberties.
• Studies of the United Kingdom’s criminal database, which retains the DNA samples of all suspects, show that ethnic minorities are over represented in the population of arrestees and are, therefore, overrepresented in the criminal DNA database. This raises the concern of an institutionalized ethnic bias in the criminal justice system.
• Even the most secure database has a chance of being compromised.

Q.3. who should be included in a national DNA database? should it be limited to convicted felons? Explain your answer.

A.3:DNA database to include juveniles or people who are not convicted criminals.

most people aren't violent criminals, including those who commit misdemeanors, and their inclusion in a national DNA database exposes them to risks they would not otherwise face.