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A lack of proper procedures means that crucial DNA evidence is falling through the cracks. Adopting the right policies allows us to solve cold cases and identify wrongful convictions with unmatched efficiency.

About CODIS

Law enforcement DNA databases contain over 25 million profiles collected from crime scenes and people convicted of felonies. The FBI's CODIS program scans these DNA profiles and identifies any that match.

With the right policies, these CODIS "hits" can allow us to identify and correct wrongful convictions with unmatched efficiency and scale. But right now they're being ignored.

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The Problem

Innocent people left in prison

Exculpatory CODIS hits are not being investigated or disclosed, leaving the wrongfully convicted to remain in prison, unaware of the DNA evidence that could clear their names.

Violent crimes left unsolved

In many jurisdictions, CODIS hits in 'cold cases' aren't being investigated either, leaving victims without closure, the true perpetrator at large, and the community potentially at risk.

Urgency

Over the last few years, states have worked to address the sexual assault kit backlog, finally testing thousands of previously untested rape kits. The results will trigger many new CODIS hits. We need to make sure they are acted upon.

The Solution

We need robust policies we ensure that CODIS hits never fall through the cracks, and that police and prosecutors are well-placed to act on the crucial information these hits contain.

We're pushing for states to adopt systems that guarantee:

  • All CODIS hits will be timely reviewed
  • CODIS hits in cold cases will be flagged and investigated
  • Potentially exculpatory CODIS hits will be disclosed to the convicted person and an innocence organization
  • Compassionate notification of victims
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