CODIS

The term CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System. It is a national computerized database of DNA profiles maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The DNA profiles contained in the database include DNA of convicted criminals, unsolved crimes evidence, and missing persons. When DNA is collected from a crime scene, investigators cross-reference DNA from the crime scene with the DNA profiles contained in CODIS. The crime laboratories compare DNA profiles electronically and are able to link serial crimes to each other and identify suspects by matching DNA profiles from profiles of convicted criminals.