The collation of forensic DNA case data into a multi-dimensional intelligence database

Abstract

The primary aim of any DNA Database is to link individuals to unsolved offences and unsolved offences to each other via DNA profiling. This aim has been successfully realised during the operation of the New Zealand (NZ) DNA Databank over the past five years. The DNA Intelligence Project (DIP), a collaborative project involving NZ forensic and law enforcement agencies, interrogated the forensic case data held on the NZ DNA Databank and collated it into a functional intelligence database. This database has been used to identify significant trends which direct Police and forensic personnel towards the most appropriate use of DNA technology. Intelligence is being provided in areas such as the level of usage of DNA techniques in criminal investigations, the relative success of crime scene samples and the geographical distribution of crimes. The DIP has broadened the dimensions of the information offered through the NZ DNA Databank and has furthered the understanding and investigative capability of both Police and forensic scientists. The outcomes of this research fit soundly with the current policies of 'intelligence led policing', which are being adopted by Police iurisdictions locally and overseas. relacionar individuos con delitos no resueltos y delitos no resueltos entre si a travts de 10s perfiles de ADN. Esta finalidad ha sido ampliamente realizada con txito por el banco de datos de ADN de Nueva Zelanda (NZ) durante su trabajo de 10s pasados 5 afios. El proyecto de Inteligencia del ADN (DIP), un proyecto en colaboraci6n con las agencias forense y de policia de NZ, tomaba 10s datos de casos forenses guardados en la base de datos de NZ y 10s relacionaba con las bases de datos funcionales de la policia. Esta base de datos se ha usado para identificar tendencias significativas que dirijan a la policia y personal forense hacia un uso m8s apropiado de la tecnologia del ADN. La informacidn se proporciona en Areas tales como el nivel de uso de las tCcnicas de ADN en investigaciones criminales, el e'xito relativo de las muestras del escenario del crimen y la distribucidn geogrAfica de 10s crimenes. El DIP ha ensanchado las dimensiones de la informacidn ofrecida a travts del banco de datos de ADN de NZ y ha mejorado el entendimiento y capacidad investigadora de la policia y de 10s cientificos forenses. Los resultados de esta investigaci6n encajan perfectamente con las politicas actuales de "politicas de inteligencia guiada" que estAn siendo adoptadas por las jurisdicciones de policia tanto locales como internacionales. O The Forensic Science Society 2002

DNA transfer in forensic science: A review

“…The pursuits of detecting these traces have spawned many forensic disciplines. Since the initial discovery of the ability to generate unique genetic profiles from biological materials and its application to address questions of identify to assist investigations of criminal activity by Sir Alec Jeffreys and his colleagues [5,6], the subsequent technological advances allowing relatively quick and affordable generation of extremely discriminating profiles from many sources of biological material [7][8][9], along with uniformity across jurisdictions and the construction of offender DNA databases with associated legislations [10][11][12][13], have seen DNA playing an ever increasing role in the identification of those who have committed criminal offences and exonerating the innocent [14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]. The same methodologies have also played equally increasing roles in the identification of victims of disasters and missing persons [22][23][24][25].…”

A journey into the innovations and expertise of Dubai police and the general department of forensic science and criminology

“…Technological advancements subsequently enabled the rapid and cost-effective generation of highly discriminating DNA profiles from diverse biological sources [5][6][7]. Furthermore, the establishment of standardized practices across jurisdictions, the implementation of offender DNA databases, and the enactment of associated legislation [8][9][10][11] have progressively elevated the role of DNA in identifying both perpetrators of crimes and innocent individuals who have been wrongfully accused [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19]. These methodologies have also played a crucial role in identifying victims of disasters and missing persons [20][21][22][23].…”