How much is DNA profiling now being used by the investigative community?
It varies by state. For a decade, the FBI and the Department of Justice have been working toward the goal of having a national database of DNA profiles of violent offenders—a resource that local, state, and federal investigators could contribute to and draw upon in their work. Because most violent crimes are state (not federal) crimes, laws to mandate DNA profiling had to be passed and funded on a state-by-state basis. Now, all 50 states have passed laws mandating DNA profiling of people who have committed murder or violent sexual assault. Most states also mandate profiles of people convicted of lesser charges, like aggravated assault. Nearly everyone who murders or rapes has previously committed aggravated assault or burglary, so if we can get their DNA profile into the database after they commit a lesser crime, we can ID them when they commit a more serious one. In October 1998, the National DNA Index System (NDIS), which is administered by the FBI, finally went online with the begin
