Currently, the DNA Identification Act (DNAIA) only permits the existence of two indices in the National DNA Data Bank (NDDB):
Convicted Offenders Index (COI) – Contains court-ordered DNA profiles of individuals convicted of a designated offence.
Crime Scene Index (CSI) – Contains DNA profiles from biological material found at crime scenes associated with designated offences.
The DNAIA does not permit DNA to be collected, retained or matched to support missing persons or unidentified remains investigations. The proposed legislation would amend the DNAIA to enable the RCMP to use the NDDB:
- For humanitarian purposes by creating new DNA indices to support missing persons and unidentified human remains investigations
DNA-Based Missing Persons Index (MPI) – Would contain the DNA profiles of biological material found on personal effects of missing persons, such as a toothbrush. It would be used to find missing persons and identify previously unidentified human remains.
Human Remains Index (HRI) – Would contain DNA profiles derived from unidentified human remains.
Relatives of the Missing Index (RMI) – Would contain DNA profiles from family members of missing persons. The profiles would be used to help confirm that the DNA collected from the personal effects of a missing person actually belongs to that person. Profiles could also be used to identify human remains through “kinship analysis” if it is not possible to obtain DNA from a missing person. Profiles in the RMI could only be compared with the MPI and the HRI.
- To further support criminal investigations
Victims Index (VI) – Would contain DNA profiles of victims of crime, which were submitted voluntarily by the victim, recovered from the scene of a designated offence, or associated with the commission of a designated offence. By comparing a victim’s DNA against DNA found at a crime scene, police would be better equipped to rapidly identify violent and serial offenders, link cases and provide investigative leads. This index could enhance investigations related to violent and serial offenders.
Voluntary Donors Index (VDI) – Would contain DNA profiles submitted voluntarily by individuals whose DNA profiles may be relevant to either a missing person or criminal investigation. Allowing individuals to volunteer their DNA could quickly exclude them from an investigation.
