Forensic Sciences

You can locate information about the collection of DNA to assist in the identification of missing persons on the DNA Analysis and CODIS Searching section of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) website.

For additional information, contact NamUs at 833-872-5176 or via email.

Information on the use of DNA to exonerate inmates postconviction can be found on the Wrongful Convictions and the Exonerations Resulting from NIJ Postconviction DNA Testing Funding sections of the National Institute of Justice website.

Through grant funding, the Office of Justice Programs has provided millions of dollars to state and local forensic science laboratories to increase casework capacity, reduce backlogs, and improve quality. For example, grants obtained through the Postconviction Testing of DNA Evidence program can be used to help defray the costs associated with postconviction DNA testing for violent felony offenses in which actual innocence might be demonstrated.

DNA has been used for forensic examinations since the late 1980s, with DNA testing advancing significantly since that time. Please view the following resources and websites to learn more about the use of DNA:

• National Institute of Justice (NIJ): Forensic DNA: This section of the NIJ website provides extensive information on DNA, including NIJ-sponsored research and development projects.
• Short Tandem Repeat DNA Internet Database (STRBase): This website brings together the abundant literature on forensic DNA.
• American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS): This organization is committed to the promotion of education and the elevation of accuracy, precision, and specificity in the forensic sciences.
• International Association for Identification (IAI): The IAI is the largest and oldest forensic organization.
• PubMed: PubMed is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that includes over 17 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles dating back to the 1950s and includes links to full-text articles and other related resources.

Additionally, a search of the Abstracts Database will also provide you with resources related to DNA and forensics.