National DNA database expanded
The national DNA database, used by police and law enforcement agencies to connect offenders with unsolved crimes, has now been expanded to about 400,000 DNA profiles obtained from human biological samples.
The DNA database, administered by CrimTrac, the agency responsible for developing information technologies to support law enforcement, has proven to be a valuable investigative tool.
Just recently, the DNA database was used to link a Perth man with a sexual assault in Melbourne.
The 32-year-old suspect was arrested by Western Australian Police in relation to the sexual assault of a woman in a car park behind the St Kilda Post Office in August 2002.
Victorian detectives travelled to Perth after DNA found at the crime scene matched a DNA profile taken by WA Police and placed on the national database.
The arrest resulted in the man facing the Melbourne Magistrates Court where he was remanded in custody until 1 August.
CrimTrac CEO, Ben McDevitt, said this was one of hundreds of matches identified since CrimTrac's National Crime Investigation DNA Database (NCID began inter-jurisdictional matching.
“CrimTrac's national DNA database holds DNA profiles collected from crime scenes, serious offenders, suspects, objects belonging to missing persons and unknown deceased persons,” Mr McDevitt said.
“While States and Territories already have their own DNA databases, CrimTrac's national DNA database allows the fight against crime to be taken Australia-wide.”
“This system allows police and forensic scientists to automatically compare DNA profiles from crime scenes with profiles of convicted offenders throughout Australia, immediately identifying potential suspects where matches occur.
“Having 400,000 profiles on the national database is a great achievement. This information could provide police with the links they need to crack unsolved crimes.”