Forensic DNA and Arizona Q&A
The use of forensic DNA is governed primarily by State legislation and case law and is collected and processed in State and local agencies and laboratories. This page provides or points to answers for the following questions:
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- How much Federal funding has Arizona received from the DNA Initiative?
- How many forensic DNA samples from Arizona are in the DNA database?
- Where are samples collected in Arizona analyzed?
- Who has to submit a forensic DNA sample?
- How many forensic DNA samples are awaiting analysis in Arizona?
- What case law has affected the use of forensic DNA in Arizona?
- How many people from Arizona have been exonerated by DNA evidence?
- Are those exonerated entitled to compensation?
How much federal funding has Arizona received from the DNA Initiative?
Select from the list below to view the funding provided to Arizona by the DNA Initiative:
- Forensic DNA Backlog Reduction
Note: In 2007, NIJ combined the following two programs into the Forensic DNA Backlog Redcuction Program. - Solving Cold Cases With DNA
How many forensic DNA samples from Arizona are in the DNA database?
The number of forensic samples in the Arizona and national DNA databases is constantly changing as new crimes are investigated and changes are made to State laws that require the collection of samples from additional offenders.
The FBI tracks the Number of samples from Arizona in the national database—the National DNA Index System or NDIS.
Where are samples collected in Arizona analyzed?
State and local laboratories analyze samples collected in Arizona. Some samples may be sent to private laboratories for analysis.
State Laboratories
Department of Public Safety, Scientific Analysis Bureau
Local Laboratories
Mesa Police Department Crime Laboratory
Phoenix Police Department
Scottsdale Police Department
Tucson Police Department
Who has to submit a forensic DNA sample?
Arizona statutes determine who must submit a DNA sample for inclusion in the database. Find:
- Updated links to Arizona legislation pertaining to forensic DNA provided by the National Clearinghouse of Science, Technology and the Law.
- State Laws on DNA Databanks, National Conference of State Legislatures.
- State DNA Database Laws-Qualifying Offenses (PDF), DNAResource.com.
How many forensic DNA samples are awaiting analysis in Arizona?
We are not aware of any online resource that lists the number of samples awaiting analysis in Arizona.
The number of samples awaiting analysis in any State is constantly changing and affected by State statues, available resources, and crimes committed. Thus, measuring the precise number of unanalyzed DNA samples is prohibitively difficult.
Learn more about the causes and impact of the backlog of DNA evidence.
What case law has affected the use of forensic DNA in Arizona?
Cases decided at the State and local level set precedence for how other court decisions will be reached.
Find updated links to Arizona cases pertaining to forensic DNA as collected by the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology, and the Law.
Note: The National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and Law is a free resource sponsored by the National Institute of Justice. Subscription services may provide more comprehensive collections of full-text case law.
How many people from Arizona have been exonerated by DNA evidence?
While there is no single online source showing everyone from Arizona exonerated by DNA, the Innocence Project provides profiles of those persons they have helped exonerate (this complete list is sortable by State).
Are those exonerated entitled to compensation?
State law determines if someone convicted of a crime and then exonerated is entitled to compensation.
Arizona may not require compensation by law. We recommend that you:
- Search or contact Arizona's legislature. Find links to the Arizona State Legislature's Web site from the National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology, and Law.
- View summaries of existing State compensation laws tracked and compiled by the the Innocence Project.
