The complete report is available on the National DNA Data Bank Web site as a PDF document. DNA is the fundamental building block for our entire genetic makeup. With the exception of identical twins, each person's DNA is unique. Highly discriminating, it's a powerful tool for identifying individuals. Using modern technology, DNA can be extracted from a small biological sample, such as a few drops of blood, the root of one hair, or by swabbing the inside of the mouth. This sample can then be analyzed, creating a DNA profile that can be used to identify a person. That profile, in turn, can be compared to an unknown DNA profile drawn from a different biological sample. If the profiles match, the two samples come from the same person (or identical twins). If the profiles do not match, the samples come from different people. It was just 15 years ago when forensic DNA evidence was first used to secure a criminal conviction in a Canadian court. Today, DNA evidence is universally regarded as scientifically valid. And, after just four years in operation, the National DNA Data Bank is now one of the most powerful investigative tools available to the law enforcement and justice communities. Biological samples collected from a crime scene can either link a suspect to that scene, or rule the suspect out. Evidence from different crime scenes can be compared to link the same perpetrator to multiple offences, whether the crimes took place locally, across the country or halfway around the world. Highlights from 2003-04 The National DNA Data Bank achieved an important milestone this year, surpassing 1,000 "hits". An offender "hit" occurs when a DNA profile generated from a crime scene sample is sent to the NDDB and it matches that of an individual included in the Convicted Offender Index (COI). A forensic "hit" occurs when a crime scene DNA profile is sent to the Crime Scene Index (CSI) and matches another profile from at least one other crime scene. As of May 14th, 2004, Data Bank scientists have generated more than 1,800 hits, providing investigative leads in 131 murders and 336 sexual assaults. To date, the NDDB has processed more than 59,000 DNA profiles from convicted offenders, along with almost 15,000 profiles from crime scenes. (In October, 2003, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed that police have the right to force suspected criminals to give up samples of blood, hair or buccal for DNA analysis. The unanimous ruling marked the first time that Canada's highest court had pronounced on the constitutionality of Canadian legislation allowing police to pursue DNA warrants). The Data Bank employed 26 full-time staff in 2003-04, with a total operating budget of almost $2.6 million. Priorities for 2004-05 A key factor in the NDDB's success is also its greatest challenge: increasing the population of the Crime Scene Index and the Convicted Offender Index. For that to happen, the NDDB must continue to focus on education and communication. Together with legal, government and police partners, the message is getting out that the NDDB is capable of handling tens of thousands of samples a year. There is a simple equation at the core of this priority: as more samples enter the Data Bank, there is a corresponding increase in the number of convicted offender and crime scene hits. Consider these recent results: between May 15th, 2003 and May 14th, 2004, there was a 50 per cent increase in the number of profiles entered into the two Data Bank indices. Those additional profiles boosted the number of offender hits by a remarkable 140 per cent! Other priorities include: Expanding the use of automation to boost both the volume of samples processed and the speed at which they are handled; Encouraging and supporting break and enter sample addition into the Crime Scene Index. There is strong evidence linking the perpetrators of these crimes with other more serious offences such as murder and sexual assault. DNA profiling that is used to solve break-and-enter investigations may link perpetrators to unsolved serious crimes; and Preparing for the Parliamentary review in 2005, as required under the federal legislation that created the Data Bank. In Canada and abroad, the power of forensic DNA, the collaboration of many par tners, and the professionalism of NDDB personnel have combined to solve scores of complex criminal cases. As awareness increases and technology improves, the success stories will multiply to the benefit of us all.
