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.
A CODIS hit can be made by a DNA profile from evidence matching the DNA profile from a convicted offender. A hit can also be made between evidence in one case matching the DNA profile of another case. The match of the DNA profiles provides an investigative lead to the detective or investigator. The investigator will conduct further investigation to determine if the involvement of the convicted offender has any punitive value.
