GEORGIA - Last week, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Combined DNA Index System recorded its 6,000th state offender hit.  CODIS contains DNA profiles from evidence collected in criminal investigations and from convicted offenders.  

With 6,000 DNA matches, profiles contained in CODIS have been used to solve numerous crimes.  The GBI manages Georgia’s CODIS database of convicted felons and felony probationers as authorized by O.C.G.A. 35-3-160.  This database allows for the comparison of DNA profiles from casework samples to those offenders in the Georgia file.  CODIS averages 500 offender matches per year.

The GBI began DNA testing in 1991.  In 1994, the Georgia legislature authorized DNA collection from convicted sex offenders.  Four years later in 1998, the GBI Crime lab implemented CODIS into its operation.  The current success of the program stemmed from the expansion of the offender law by the legislature in 2000 to include all incarcerated convicted felons.  In 2005, Georgia laws were amended to include inmates serving extended sentences.  Subsequently in 2007, the legislature expanded the DNA database statute to include certain felony probationers.

Currently, the GBI DNA database contains 347,145 DNA profiles. Of that total, 324,864 are offender/probationer profiles.