The database contains profiles from samples collected at crime scenes, convicted offenders and unidentified bodies. In some circumstances, profiles from suspects and volunteers may be compared with other profiles on the database.
The database assists police and forensic scientists to:
Australian police may use DNA evidence when investigating individual cases. They take the sample material from a suspect or charged person (depending on State or Territory law), extract a DNA profile, and compare it against DNA from the crime scene. DNA evidence has been used to implicate criminals in serious offences such as sexual assault, armed robbery and murder, as well as helping to solve some high volume crimes such as burglary. Just as importantly, DNA has also clearly established the innocence of many people who might otherwise be suspects for a crime.
The database is also used to assist identification for the families of deceased or missing persons.