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Composition of offender databases

Explore the composition of offender databases and the impacts of genetic surveillance on society. Learn about racial disparities, CODIS makeup, and the UK DNA database. Discover possible solutions for ensuring database accuracy and fairness.

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Composition of offender databases

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  1. Composition of offender databases Jason R. Gilder August 16, 2008 Forensic Bioinformatics (www.bioforensics.com) gilder@bioforensics.com

  2. Universal DNA database • Everyone has their DNA typed at birth • Many more crimes solved • Many more false DNA inclusions • Many more false investigations

  3. Genetic surveillance • Who is most likely to be targeted by a database search? • Fear of criminalizing the innocent • Familial searches

  4. CODIS • COmbined DNA Index System • National: NDIS • State: SDIS - fewer restrictions • Local: LDIS - fewest restrictions • Convicted Offender Profiles in NDIS: 6,031,000 • Forensic Profiles in NDIS: 225,400 • More than 71,800 cold hits

  5. Hints as to CODIS makeup • African Americans make up • 13% of the national population • 30% of people arrested • 41% of people in jail • 49% of people in prison

  6. Felony convictions (2004) Drug offenses: 34% Property offenses: 29% Violent offenses: 18% Other offenses: 17% Weapon offenses: 3%

  7. Racial disparity in drug convictions • Drug offenders admitted to state prison in 1996 • African Americans: 62.6% • Caucasians: 36.7% • Maryland and Illinois • African Americans: 90% • One third of states > 75%

  8. Racial disparity in drug use • African American is 5x more likely to be charged with a drug crime

  9. United Kingdom DNA Database • More than 4 million profiles • Percentage of the UK population providing samples: • 40% Black • 77% Young Black men • 13% Asian • 9% Caucasian

  10. UK typing policy • All arrestees are typed • Begging • Being drunk and disorderly • Taking part in an illegal demonstration • minor acts of criminal damage • children kicking footballs • throwing a snowball.

  11. Innocents in UK Database • One million innocent people • 100,000 children • 57% comprised of Black people

  12. Possible solutions • Facilitate removal of profiles from database • Currently require court order for expungement • Remove people not convicted of a crime • Remove exonerated individuals • Perform a statistical analysis of the database

  13. Questions?

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