Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) Development and Operations Linton von Beroldingen, CODIS State Administrator Jan Bashinski DNA Laboratory, Richmond, CA

What we will cover today: What is CODIS? Current State of CODIS in CA & US History and Growth of Data Bank & CODIS Current CODIS Operations at our Lab CODIS Success Stories

What is CODIS? The Combined DNA Index System. CODIS is a system of laboratories, methods, technologies, databases and trained DNA analysts. It supports the investigation of crimes and missing persons cases. CODIS is also the name of the software used to create the DNA database and to search between specified indexes of DNA records for matching profiles. CODIS enhances public safety by identifying criminals and it helps to bring closure to the victims of crimes and the families of victims and missing persons.

CODIS System Structure In the US, CODIS has three (3) levels: NDIS – The National DNA Index System (operated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation) SDIS – A State DNA Index System (operated by a state agency such as attorney general, state police or department of forensic sciences) LDIS – A Local DNA Index System (operated by a city or county law enforcement or government agency) In general, DNA records are contributed up to higher levels for wider searches and DNA matches are distributed downwards to participating laboratories.

187 laboratories November 2009 Levels of CODIS NDIS (USA) 187 laboratories November 2009 Florida Illinois California SDIS (50 +) LDIS (22 in CA) Fresno DOJ Los Angeles SD Oakland PD

CODIS Laboratory Requirements Each laboratory that is part of CODIS must be a government (public) laboratory serving law enforcement and the criminal justice system and it must meet strict quality assurance (QA) standards. These standards include laboratory accreditation in the DNA discipline and annual QA audits. This is required by the US Federal Laws and by California Laws that give the FBI and the California Department of Justice the authority to operate and maintain the DNA database.

Current Metrics of CODIS In the United States November of 2009 NDIS Statistics: Investigations Aided 100,065 Forensic Hits (case to case) 17,347 Offender Hits (within states) 73,837 Offender Hits (between states) 10,794 Convicted offenders 7,305,578 Arrestees 326,583 Forensic Unknowns 294,027

Current Metrics of CODIS In the State of California December, 2009 CAL-DNA Statistics: Investigations Aided 11,687 Forensic & Offender Hits 11,221 Total offenders & arrestees 1,428,872 Arrestees 127,738 Forensic Unknowns 29,371

History and growth of CODIS in California The growth of the CAL-DNA Database has been one of stepwise progression. California was one of the first governments in the world to contemplate the use of biological, genetic markers to associate criminal offenders with crime scenes. Initially this included non-DNA markers such as blood types and polymorphic enzymes found in blood, saliva and semen. The introduction of DNA typing revolutionized the science of forensic identification and made the database a practical, useful reality.

CAL-DNA Data Bank History (1) SB 809 (1983) First genetic database in US, second in the world. Focus on convicted Sex Offenders and Murderers. Non-DNA markers used. SB 1408 (1990) CAL-DNA Established California DNA Act of 1994 Funds RFLP for sex offenders; database capacity set at 40,000.

CAL-DNA Data Bank History (2) November, 1997- CODIS Core STR Loci selected to promote exchange of data between US States. Process led by FBI in consensus with state and local labs. CA Senate Bill 1332 (1998) added violent offenders & funding for local offender sample collection CA funding (1999) to eliminate the backlog of 200,000 offender samples by July 2001, using STRs

CAL-DNA Data Bank History (3) AB 673 (2001) added 1st Degree Burglary, Robbery, Carjacking and Arson to qualifying convictions. Proposition 69 (November 2004) Immediately added all Felons and Sex Offenders to DNA and Palm Print Data Banks Established initial collection of adult arrestees for murder, sex offenses and voluntary manslaughter Set up all-adult-felony-arrestee collection to start January 1, 2009

CODIS Operations at CAL-DNA Several thousands of convicted offender and arrestee profiles are uploaded to SDIS every week from the Data Bank Program California LDIS labs around the state upload new forensic unknown profiles to SDIS every week Automated search of SDIS every week

CODIS Offender Uploads

NDIS Operations at FBI Lab Many thousands of convicted offender and arrestee profiles are uploaded to NDIS every week from States around the nation LDIS labs around the nation upload hundreds of new forensic unknown profiles to NDIS through their states’ SDIS every week Automated search of NDIS every week States exchange confirmations of offender identities and investigative leads; for CA it is about 10% of total hits.

CODIS Searches Yield Candidate Matches CODIS software automatically distributes a record of the matches generated from a search to the participating laboratories The casework laboratory decides if a match is useful and requests confirmation of the match and identification of the offender from the database laboratory.

Confirmation at CAL-DNA (1) With the input from our client CA casework labs our CODIS Unit evaluates the candidate matches and selects offender samples for confirmation. These matches become “Offender Hits”. A complete re-analysis is performed on the samples to be confirmed; the samples are retrieved from storage and processed again on a “Hit Plate”. Original and confirmatory results are compared.

Confirmation Run = Hit Plate Pull samples from previous runs Partitioning Extraction Amplification Capillary Electrophoresis Analysis Technical Review

Confirmation at CAL-DNA (2) Thumb prints obtained from the offender/arrestee at the time of collection are checked against the state criminal history system for identification The status of the offender/arrestee in the criminal justice system at the time of collection is reviewed in the criminal history to evaluate his/her qualification for being in the database.

Fingerprint Verification Retrieve sample info cards from storage Scan and upload images of thumb prints to Sacramento Confirm identity and update HTAC Check criminal history

Hit Notification The CODIS Unit prepares a “Hit File” to retain the documentation of a particular offender hit and the confirmation process. The CODIS Unit also writes a letter of notification to the casework laboratory of the matching forensic unknown. It communicates the name, date of birth and State Identification Number of the matching offender. This information is NOT in CODIS. The above tasks are automated in a hit database (HTAC) to reduce human error in hit notifications.

CODIS Hit Notification

CAL-DNA CODIS Hit File Storage

CODIS Success Stories The following slides give two excellent examples of how CODIS has helped solve crimes in California and the US. Please note that the DNA hit only assists the investigation and does not conclude it! In particular, there is a critical next step: obtaining a new biological reference sample under chain of custody from the suspect. This sample is for DNA typing by the casework laboratory and direct comparison to the crime scene (forensic unknown) profile.

DNH-7108-08 DNA links inmate to 1977 Fresno slaying, police say

On May 10th, 1977, Susan Vallin was found murdered and sexually assaulted in an alley near Clay and Tyler, after she had left her home to take a walk. On Tuesday, Fresno Police Chief announced that a suspect has been charged for the brutal crime, which took 21-year-old Vallin's young life. Police say DNA, which was not available in 1977, led them to Larry Banks in connection with the crime. Banks has currently been serving time in Avenal State Prison, for a 1993 robbery in the City of Clovis. Police say that prior to the DNA analysis, Banks had not been a suspect in the case.

Found disguise leads to Austin bank robbery suspect

Friday, December 12, 2008 A paper bag tossed from a car helped lead investigators to the "Rockabilly Bandit" — who may have been involved in robbing four Austin banks over a seven-month period this year, Austin police said Thursday. Lt. Mark Spangler said police believe Robert Graham Jr., 54, is the man who dressed like a Southern rock star in the robberies between April and October. The bag was found by a man in a creek bed. It contained a fake beard, a hat and other clothing with DNA that matched Graham. He was paroled from TX to CA for robbery in the late 1990’s and was sampled pursuant to Prop 69 in 2005, before completing his parole and returning to TX.

The CHOP is a tool for law crime laboratories, law enforcement agencies and prosecutors to track the utilization of DNA hit information. It is also useful for demonstrating the effectiveness of the DNA database in improving public safety and assisting the criminal justice system. Current State of CODIS in CA & US History and Growth of Data Bank & CODIS Current CODIS Operations at our Lab CODIS Success Stories

Statistics Available from CHOP NOTE: In 2006 2% of HITS were burglary related. Today 20% of HITS are burglary related.

CAL-DNA CA DOJ DLE BFS Jan Bashinski DNA Lab 1001 W. Cutting Blvd Ste 110 Richmond, CA 94804 Linton von Beroldingen CODIS State Administrator 510 620 3300 voice 510 231 8744 fax