Definition

1. Noun:
   • A DNA database maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) is a national, electronic database of DNA profiles. It is used by law enforcement agencies to compare DNA evidence from crime scenes with profiles from convicted offenders, arrestees, and other forensic samples to help identify potential suspects.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The forensic team uploaded the DNA sample from the crime scene to the Combined DNA Index System.
  • A match in the Combined DNA Index System helped investigators link the suspect to multiple unsolved cases.

Advanced Usage

• "To search/query CODIS": To compare a DNA profile against the profiles stored in the Combined DNA Index System.
  • The lab will search CODIS to see if the evidence matches any known offenders.
• "A CODIS hit": A successful match found within the Combined DNA Index System database.
  • The detective received a CODIS hit, providing a crucial lead in the cold case.

Variants and Related Words

• CODIS (acronym): The standard acronym for the Combined DNA Index System.
  • CODIS has become an indispensable tool for modern law enforcement.
• DNA Index System: A more general term for a database indexing DNA profiles.
• National DNA Index (NDIS): The national level of the CODIS hierarchy, containing DNA profiles contributed by federal, state, and local participating laboratories.

Synonyms

• DNA database: A general term for any collection of DNA profiles.
• Forensic DNA index: A system for indexing DNA data for forensic purposes.

Related Phrases

• CODIS Core Loci: The specific set of genetic markers (STR loci) that must be tested to enter a DNA profile into CODIS.
  • The new sample was analyzed for the CODIS Core Loci.
• Upload to CODIS: The process of entering a DNA profile into the Combined DNA Index System database.
  • After analysis, the eligible profile was uploaded to CODIS.

Notes

• The Combined DNA Index System is a proper noun and is often capitalized. Its acronym, CODIS, is far more common in everyday law enforcement and forensic usage than the full term.
• It operates at three levels: Local (LDIS), State (SDIS), and National (NDIS).

Noun

1. the DNA file maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation