No Suspect Casework DNA Backlog Reduction Program FY 2001

PROJECT SUMMARY FOR 2002-DN-BX-K025

DNA analysis used in conjunction with the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a powerful investigative tool beginnin at the crime scene with the collection of evidence and ending with a judicial conclusion. For CODIS to be truly effective and DNA to reach its full crime-solving potential, DNA databses must be populated with both offender profiles and DNA profiles from crime scene evidence. DNA is especially useful in cases where no suspect is known. DNA profiles obtained from evidence collected in cases where there is no suspect can be compared to local, State,and national DNA databases through CODIS for a match between the evidence and a convicted felon.

The Delaware Health and Social Services, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will examine 60 no suspect cases using federal funding to pay for overtime, equipment for increasing capacity and supplies for DNA analysis. DNA analysis will be performed by Delaware's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The resulting DNA profiles will be entered into the forensic index section of their Stsate DNA database to be compared to convicted offender indices. Perhaps 10% or more of these forensic profiles from unsolved crimes will find their solutions in the DNA profiles of the onvicted offender samples currently populating CODIS.