WHEREAS, the criminal justice system relies on forensic evidence as a foundational tool in criminal investigations; and

WHEREAS, advancements in DNA technologies have resulted in efficient, safe and non-invasive collection methods; and

WHEREAS, DNA sampling upon arrest will identify repeat offenders before they continue a pattern of violence; and

WHEREAS, DNA collected upon arrest will save countless public dollars and investigative resources to identify perpetrators; and

WHEREAS, DNA profiles have been instrumental in exonerating and reversing convictions of innocent persons; and

WHEREAS, Courts of law have ruled in favor of DNA collection upon arrest for serious offenses; and now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) duly assembled at its 120th Annual Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania recommends that state legislatures and other bodies adopt laws to allow and fund the collection of DNA samples from all persons at the time of an arrest for a serious offense and, further, that the DNA profiles from these samples be uploaded and searched against DNA profiles from crime scene evidence contained in a DNA database such as the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) in the United States to facilitate solving prior crimes and preventing future crimes.

Submitted by: Victim Services Committee and Forensics Committee

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