The National Criminal Justice Association is excited to announce the launch of the new NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy and Practice Website – a national resource designed to support policymakers, state administering agencies, forensic laboratories, law enforcement leaders, the media, and criminal justice practitioners.
As the use of forensic DNA continues to advance, policymakers and criminal justice leaders need accurate, accessible information to support policy development and implementation. The NCJA Center for Forensic DNA Policy and Practice serves as a national hub for advancing, assessing and connecting critical areas of forensic DNA system improvement. This work will maximize the potential of forensic DNA technology nationwide.
At the heart of the website are two resources:
- State DNA Legislation Database – Search and compare forensic DNA legislation across all 56 states and territories, covering topics including DNA collection, Rapid DNA, forensic genetic genealogy, lawfully owed DNA, privacy issues, and more.
- Interactive State Policy Map – Explore forensic DNA laws and policies through an easy to use visual map which allows users to compare states, identify legislative trends and inform policy development.
You can also explore the Center’s broader work on the expansion of offender collection, implementation of Rapid DNA, lawfully owed DNA sample audits, and system partner communication and hit follow-up. These sections are designed to connect agencies with the Center’s ongoing efforts in tracking legislation, policy analysis, technical assistance, education, and emerging forensic DNA topics, making it easier to find resources relevant to your work.
This recent launch is just the beginning of an effort to build a comprehensive repository of forensic DNA policy and practice resources. Over the coming months, the website will continue to be expanded with additional legislation; policy analyses; implementation guidance; best practices; state success stories; emerging technology updates; and other tools to help justice leaders make informed, evidence-based decisions.
Whether you’re developing legislation, implementing new technologies, supporting crime laboratories, or simply looking to stay informed on the latest developments in forensic DNA, the NCJA DNA Center is designed to be a trusted resource for your work.You can explore the new website at ncjadnacenter.org and see what’s available today.