RCMP launches DNA program hoping to link victims, families, offenders, remains

“The launch of the program follows over four years of planning, consultations and preparation, and provides all Canadian police with a new tool that could help in missing persons and unidentified remains investigations across Canada.”WATCH BELOW: Calgary police use DNA technology to try and track down mother of baby found dead on Christmas Eve Previously, the RCMP have only been able to collect DNA samples from individuals convicted of crimes or from crime scenes.That data was then stored in their National DNA Data Bank, created in 2010.READ MORE: White supremacists taking DNA tests sad to discover they’re not 100% whiteThe 2014 budget promised a National Missing Persons DNA Program but efforts to create one have been plagued by delays as well as the need for legislative change to allow law enforcement to collect and store additional biological data.Last fall, the government amended the DNA Identification Act to let the RCMP expand its use of analysis using DNA.The force will now maintain three “humanitarian indices” within the National DNA Data Bank.WATCH BELOW: Slow DNA testing hurting Canada justice systemThe Missing Persons Index will use personal effects like toothbrushes or clothing to develop DNA profiles of missing persons; the Human Remains Index will do the same from human remains.The Relatives of Missing Persons Index will allow close relatives of individuals who go missing to voluntarily submit their own DNA. The goal would then be to use the sample to either help identify remains of the missing person or to compare their DNA with unidentified samples held in the Human Remains Index.As well, the RCMP will also be able to use two new indices specifically involving criminal cases.The Victims Index will allow victims of crimes to voluntarily submit their DNA so that police can use it to try and link crime scenes and identify serial offenders.The Voluntary Donors Index will also allow anyone who is not a victim to submit their own DNA if they think it could help advance a criminal, missing persons or unidentified human remains investigation.All samples will be analyzed at the RCMP’s National DNA Data Bank laboratory in Ottawa.