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Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

General Questions:

1. Who is required to provide a sample for entry of the resulting DNA profile into the Virginia DNA Data Bank?
2. What is CODIS?
3. On what types of cases can a CODIS search be conducted?
4. What does a CODIS "hit" mean?
5. What DNA technology does the Virginia Division of Forensic Science use when analyzing evidence from criminal cases?

Law Enforcement Questions:

1. What do I do if I have a court date and have not received a DNA report on the evidence I submitted?
2. How can I get my case searched in the Virginia DNA Data Bank?
3. I have an old case that is still unsolved. Is there anything that can be done now that could help clear the case?

Answers

General Questions:

1. Who is required to provide a sample for entry of the resulting DNA profile into the Virginia DNA Data Bank?
   
   

   All individuals who have been convicted of a felony offense on or after July 1, 1990 (Code of Virginia § 19.2-310.2) and juveniles 14 years or older who are convicted of a felony or adjudicated delinquent on the basis on an act which would be a felony if committed by an adult (Code of Virginia § 16.1-299.1) are required to provide a blood or buccal (cheek cells) sample for DNA analysis, with incorporation of the resulting DNA profile into the Virginia DNA Data Bank. Additionally, as of January 1, 2003, any individual arrested for a violent felony crime (Code of Virginia § 19.2-310.2:1) must provide a buccal sample for DNA analysis, with the resultant profile incorporated into the Virginia DNA Data Bank (Code of Virginia § 19.2-310.5).

2. What is CODIS?
   
   

   CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System. It is a national system of computer databases designed by the FBI to store DNA profiles from convicted offenders as well as crime scene evidence. Any DNA profile developed from the evidence in a case with no suspects can then be searched against the databases, and possible investigative leads developed from any matching profiles in the database.

3. On what types of cases can a CODIS search be conducted?
   
   

   CODIS searches can be conducted on the DNA profiles developed from biological evidence in cases where the identity of the perpetrator is unknown to the investigator. In theory, any biological material could yield a DNA profile if there is a sufficient number of cells from the perpetrator.

4. What does a CODIS "hit" mean?
   
   

   A CODIS "hit" can be made by a DNA profile from evidence in an unsolved case matching the DNA profile from a convicted offender or an arrestee. A "hit" can also be made between evidence in an unsolved case and another unsolved case or to a previously solved case.

   The fact that the DNA profiles matched is meant to provide an investigative lead to the detective or investigator, to help solve the particular unsolved case. He/she will need to conduct further investigation to determine any possible involvement of the convicted offender, arrestee, or the perpetrator of the solved case to the unsolved case in question.

5. What DNA technology does the Virginia Division of Forensic Science use when analyzing evidence from criminal cases?
   
   

   The Virginia Division of Forensic Science currently uses Promega's PowerPlex® 16 BIO System, which includes the D3S1358, TH01, D21S11, D18S51, vWA, D8S1179, TPOX, FGA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D16S539, CSF1PO, Penta D, Penta E, and Amelogenin loci.

Law Enforcement Questions:

1. What do I do if I have a court date and have not received a DNA report on the evidence I submitted?
   
   

   If you have not received a report on a case and find out that a court date has been set, notify the examiner/Forensic Biology Section as soon as possible. This will help ensure that the analysis can be completed in advance of the 21 day rule which applies to DNA analysis.

2. How can I get my case searched in the Virginia DNA Data Bank?
   
   

   If you have a case in which there is biological material identified, but you have no suspect, the case will be searched against the DNA Data Bank. If there is a "hit" against a convicted offender, you will receive a report stating the offender's name and other identifying information. If there is a "hit" against the DNA profile of crime scene material from another case, you will receive a report stating the FS Laboratory Number and jurisdiction of the related case. If there is not a hit, you will receive a report stating this. There cases are routinely searched as the DNA Data Bank is updated with new convicted offender profiles.

3. I have an old case that is still unsolved. Is there anything that can be done now that could help clear the case?
   
   

   If you have an old, unsolved case that you would like to resubmit for re-evaluation, please call the Forensic Biology Section prior to submission. The case file will be retrieved and reviewed so that both the examiner and officer can discuss the possible course of analysis that could be conducted prior to the re-submission of the evidence. This communication also enables the officer to know which items of evidence to resubmit to the laboratory.

View other Frequently Asked Questions.