The National DNA Data Bank of Canada Annual Report 2024-2025
On this page
- Alternate formats
- Message from the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- The National DNA Data Bank
- Offender and forensic hits
- Convicted offender submissions
- Processing of biological samples
- Comparing DNA profiles
- International participation
- Privacy of information
- The value of secondary designated offence submissions
- Case stories
- National DNA data bank advisory committee
- Key statistics
- Financial statement
Alternate formats
List of acronyms and abbreviations
- CODIS
- Combined DNA Index System
- DNA
- Deoxyribonucleic acid
- INTERPOL
- International Criminal Police Organization
- RCMP
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police
List of charts
List of tables
- Table 1: International search requests
- Table 2: Offender hits resulting from DNA orders for secondary designated offences
- Table 3: DNA profiles contained in the criminal indices
- Table 4: DNA profiles contained in the humanitarian indices
- Table 5: Breakdown of DNA profiles contained in the Crime Scene Index
- Table 6: Matches and associations reported
- Table 7: Offender hits by case type
- Table 8: Convicted Offender Submissions Received - Breakdown by category of offence
- Table 9: Convicted offender submissions received - Breakdown by type of offender
- Table 10: Convicted offender submissions received - Breakdown by type of offence
- Table 11: Convicted offender submissions received by province/territory
- Table 12: Breakdown of biological samples destroyed and DNA profiles removed from the Convicted Offenders Index
- Table 13: Summary of indices and associations made
- Table 14: Financial statement (April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024)
Message from the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I am pleased to present the National DNA Data Bank annual report for 2024-2025.
This report highlights just a few of its many success stories, including assisting a criminal investigation that is nearly 30 years old. The National DNA Data Bank provides a vital service to Canadians, and it continues to grow with the help of new DNA submissions. In 2024-2025, with more than 700,000 DNA profiles in the criminal indices, the National DNA Data Bank has made 8,184 DNA matches. Since 2000, 98,973 DNA matches helped law enforcement agencies solve criminal investigations.
This year, the National Missing Persons DNA Program released its 100th DNA association report. This national program benefits all agencies across Canada by continuing to offer long-awaited answers to the families of the missing. I am grateful for the hard work and dedication of the submitting investigators, coroners and laboratories, the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains, the National DNA Data Bank, and most of all, the families who have participated in the program to enable these associations.
Finally, the National DNA Data Bank and its partners keep using DNA to help solve cases day after day. Their dedicated efforts allow investigating agencies to link crime scenes, and help identify suspects, victims, and missing persons. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all employees for their assistance in solving countless criminal and humanitarian cases, both in Canada and internationally. I have no doubt that the National DNA Data Bank will continue to build on these successes.
Mike Duheme
Commissioner
The National DNA Data Bank
The National DNA Data Bank is a centralized collection of over 700,000 DNA profiles that helps investigators across the country solve a range of crimes. Its main goals are to:
- help identify or eliminate suspects
- link crime scenes across jurisdictional boundaries
- determine whether a serial offender has been involved in certain crimes
- assist investigators, coroners and medical examiners to find missing persons and identify human remains
On behalf of the Government of Canada, the RCMP is the steward of the National DNA Data Bank, which operates for the benefit of Canada's entire law enforcement community.
The DNA Identification Act allows the National DNA Data Bank to maintain the following indices (databases):
- Convicted Offenders Index
- Crime Scene Index
- Victims Index
- Voluntary Donors Index
- Missing Persons Index
- Relatives of Missing Persons Index
- Human Remains Index
The Convicted Offenders Index, Crime Scene Index, Victims Index and Voluntary Donors Index provide assistance to criminal investigations as follows:
- DNA profiles found at crime scenes are compared to the DNA profiles of convicted offenders. When a match is made (offender hit), it can help identify a suspect. If no match is made, this information can also help eliminate suspects.
- DNA profiles found at different crime scenes are compared. When a match is made between DNA profiles found at separate crime scenes (forensic hit), it can help link crimes for which no suspects have been identified. This determines whether a serial offender is involved in a number of cases.
- DNA profiles contained in the Victims Index are compared to DNA profiles in the other indices to help identify an unknown victim (victim hit or investigative lead). This can also help link crime scenes together through victim DNA profiles.
- DNA profiles contained in the Voluntary Donors Index would be compared to DNA profiles in the other indices and could help link crime scenes together through voluntary donor DNA profiles or eliminate the voluntary donors from the focus of an investigation. The DNA profiles from voluntary donors can also be used for elimination purposes in humanitarian investigations.
As part of the National Missing Persons DNA Program, the National DNA Data Bank maintains the Missing Persons Index, Relatives of Missing Persons Index and Human Remains Index to support humanitarian investigations at the national level. These indices allow DNA profiles developed from biological samples and other items collected and submitted by police, coroners and medical examiners to be compared to other DNA profiles in the National DNA Data Bank for putative identification or investigative lead.
- DNA profiles contained in the Human Remains Index and the Missing Persons Index are compared to DNA profiles in the Convicted Offenders Index, the Crime Scene Index, the Victims Index, the Voluntary Donors Index and Relatives of Missing Persons Index.
- DNA profiles contained in the Relative of Missing Persons Index can only be compared to those in the Missing Persons Index and Human Remains Index.
Offender and forensic hits
When the National DNA Data Bank first began operating in 2000, it contained few DNA profiles. As more DNA profiles were added over the years, a greater number of matches were made in less time.
Chart 1: Offender and forensic hits by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Offender hits | Forensic hits |
|---|---|---|
| 2000/01 | 18 | 7 |
| 2001/02 | 218 | 9 |
| 2002/03 | 526 | 34 |
| 2003/04 | 1,110 | 132 |
| 2004/05 | 1,114 | 198 |
| 2005/06 | 1,992 | 331 |
| 2006/07 | 1,941 | 372 |
| 2007/08 | 1,976 | 324 |
| 2008/09 | 2,608 | 381 |
| 2009/10 | 3,095 | 381 |
| 2010/11 | 3,941 | 298 |
| 2011/12 | 3,437 | 353 |
| 2012/13 | 4,037 | 343 |
| 2013/14 | 4,097 | 325 |
| 2014/15 | 4,385 | 411 |
| 2015/16 | 5,044 | 578 |
| 2016/17 | 4,946 | 562 |
| 2017/18 | 5,298 | 453 |
| 2018/19 | 6,583 | 708 |
| 2019/20 | 6,202 | 655 |
| 2020/21 | 3,971 | 356 |
| 2021/22 | 5,031 | 591 |
| 2022/23 | 5,236 | 736 |
| 2023/24 | 4,862 | 568 |
| 2024/25 | 6,961 | 1,223 |
Convicted offender submissions
Every year, the National DNA Data Bank processes convicted offender submissions consisting of:
- biological samples (used to generate DNA profiles that are entered into the Convicted Offenders Index); or
- endorsement submissions (fingerprints and supporting documentation for convicted offenders whose DNA profiles are already in the Convicted Offenders Index)
Before executing a new DNA order or authorization, an officer must query the Canadian Police Information Centre to determine whether a convicted offender's DNA profile is already in the Convicted Offenders Index. If it is, the officer can use the endorsement process to ensure that a convicted offender's DNA profile will remain in the index if:
- the conviction for which the original DNA order was made is being quashed on appeal
- the original DNA order/authorization is being quashed on appeal; or
- the retention period is expiring because the person was either:
- convicted as a young person; or
- previously discharged under Section 730 of the Criminal Code of a designated offence. (Note: this condition was removed as of March 6, 2018 when amendments to the DNA Identification Act came into force)
When a biological sample or an endorsement submission is received, the documentation is reviewed to ensure that the DNA order was issued for a criminal offence for which DNA can legally be collected and that the offender's personal information required for the submission is complete and accurate.
All convicted offender submissions are recorded in an internal tracking system without the offender's personal information. The supporting documentation for convicted offender biological sample or endorsement submissions are sent to the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services so they can be associated with an individual by fingerprint comparison and recorded in the individual's criminal record.
Processing of biological samples
Convicted Offender Samples
When someone is found guilty of committing a designated offence for which a biological sample can be obtained, the judge may issue a DNA order. However, for some designated offences, such as murder, the order is mandatory. A trained peace officer will then execute the DNA order by collecting a biological sample from that person in the form of a blood, buccal or hair sample. The National DNA Data Bank is responsible for processing all convicted offender biological samples and entering the DNA profiles derived from these samples into the Convicted Offenders Index.
Kits designed specifically for the National DNA Data Bank are used for collecting biological samples from convicted offenders. There are three types of kits available:
- Blood
- The sample is obtained by using a sterile lancet to prick the fingertip
- Buccal
- The inside of the mouth is rubbed with a foam applicator to obtain skin cells
- Hair
- Six to eight hairs are pulled out with the root sheath attached
Although all three types of biological samples are legally approved for collection, the officers are encouraged to collect blood samples because this sample type has proven to be more reliable than hair or buccal samples in generating high-quality DNA profiles. More than 98% of samples taken consist of blood samples.
Crime Scene and Victim Samples
Crime scene DNA evidence is collected by police investigators and examined by forensic laboratories across Canada to generate DNA profiles. Only a DNA profile derived from a designated offence can be added to the Crime Scene Index or the Victims Index. The National DNA Data Bank is also responsible for removing victims' DNA profiles in accordance with the DNA Identification Act. The following public forensic laboratories are authorized to add DNA profiles to the Crime Scene Index and the Victims Index:
- Centre of Forensic Sciences in Toronto and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale in Montréal, Quebec
- RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services in Ottawa, Edmonton and Surrey
Voluntary Donor Samples
Samples collected from voluntary donors during the course of a criminal investigation of a designated offence are processed by a public forensic laboratory. If the resulting DNA profile provides a potential benefit to the investigation, it is added to the Voluntary Donors Index. Voluntary donor samples collected as part of a humanitarian investigation are provided to the National DNA Data Bank for processing and added to the index. The National DNA Data Bank is responsible for removing voluntary donors' DNA profiles in accordance with the DNA Identification Act.
Missing Persons, Relatives of Missing Persons and Human Remains Samples
Processing of samples from missing persons, relatives of missing persons and found human remains is the responsibility of the National Missing Persons DNA Program. This program is a partnership between the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains and the National DNA Data Bank. The role of the National Centre is to act as a single point of contact for investigators. As such, the National Centre authorizes the submission of samples and genetic profiles related to missing persons and human remains investigations.
Under the DNA Identification Act, the National DNA Data Bank is responsible for maintaining the humanitarian indices and also for:
- receiving biological samples from submitting agencies and developing DNA profiles
- receiving DNA profiles from approved laboratories for technical review
- interpreting and comparing DNA profiles from human remains, relatives of missing persons and personal belongings from missing persons
- adding and removing DNA profiles in the Human Remains Index, Relatives of Missing Persons Index and Missing Persons Index in accordance with the legislation
- issuing and explaining kinship and identity association reports
- providing scientific advice and support to the National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains and investigators, as required
To better serve the National Missing Persons DNA Program, the National DNA Data Bank introduced technologies for the isolation and characterization of DNA. Specifically, it introduced procedures for the development of DNA profiles from personal effects and calcified tissue samples, such as bone and teeth. In addition, procedures were validated to analyze the Y-chromosome and utilize an advanced technology using Next Generation Sequencing, which allows for mitochondrial DNA analysis.
Comparing DNA profiles
The DNA profiles are compared using the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which is a secure network and software program developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Department of Justice, and provided to the RCMP. CODIS has become an internationally accepted tool for forensic laboratories, allowing DNA profile information to be compared using a standard, secure format. In Canada, the National DNA Data Bank uses CODIS for daily comparisons of DNA profiles. Each new DNA profile entered into one of the national DNA indices is automatically compared against profiles contained in other national DNA indices, as permitted by the DNA Identification Act.
International participation
The National DNA Data Bank collaborates with international investigative authorities through an information-sharing agreement with the INTERPOL, approved by the Government of Canada. Originally established in 2002 to support criminal investigations, the agreement was initially limited to the investigation and prosecution of designated offences. In 2018, it was amended to also assist in cases involving missing persons and unidentified human remains. The National DNA Data Bank can exchange DNA information only with countries that have a formal INTERPOL agreement in place.
Under this agreement and in accordance with the DNA Identification Act:
- Incoming requests from other countries are searched against the Convicted Offenders Index, Crime Scene Index, Missing Persons Index, and Human Remains Index
- Outgoing requests only include DNA profiles from crime scenes, missing persons, or unidentified human remains
| Criminal Investigations (since 2000) | Humanitarian Investigations (since 2018) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Incoming Requests | 2,018 | Total Incoming Requests | 131 |
| Offender Hits | 11 | Putative Identifications | 2 |
| Forensic Hits | 15 | ||
| Total Outgoing Requests | 424 | Total Outgoing Requests | 87 |
| Offender Hits | 13 | Putative Identifications | 4 |
| Forensic Hits | 2 | ||
Privacy of information
The DNA Identification Act specifies that DNA profiles in the National DNA Data Bank's indices can only be used for law enforcement or humanitarian purposes. The Act also clearly states that the DNA profiles in the Relatives of Missing Persons Index can only be compared to DNA profiles in the Missing Persons Index and Human Remains Index.
As an additional safeguard to protect the privacy of individuals, when a convicted offender's biological sample is received, the donor's identity is separated from their genetic information, and the sample is assigned a numeric bar code. These bar codes are the only link connecting personal information, the biological sample and the DNA profile. The offender's personal information is kept in a separate registry maintained by the RCMP's Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services, which National DNA Data Bank employees cannot access. This process ensures that the National DNA Data Bank employees do not have access to offenders' personal information for DNA profiles they are processing. Likewise, Canadian Criminal Real Time Identification Services employees do not have access to the offenders' genetic information. With the exception of biological sex, DNA profiles do not reveal medical or physical information about the donor.
The Act further protects privacy rights by requiring informed consent for submissions of DNA profiles to the Relatives of Missing Persons Index, the Victims Index and the Voluntary Donors Index. This consent can be withdrawn at any time by the contributor. In addition, at least once every five years, the investigating agency is contacted about the case to ensure that the person from whom the DNA profile was obtained has not withdrawn their consent. Investigators are also asked whether they believe the DNA profile will continue to assist in the investigation for which it was obtained. If removal is requested or if the investigating agency fails to respond, the DNA profile is then removed from the corresponding DNA index and the biological sample is destroyed.
Lastly, DNA information will only be shared with other investigative authorities as permitted by legislation.
The value of secondary designated offence submissions
The Criminal Code classifies those offences that may be the subject of a DNA order as either primary or secondary designated offences. When the National DNA Data Bank first started its operations in 2000, the number of secondary designated offences was limited. In 2008, the Criminal Code was amended and the list of secondary designated offences was expanded to include a wider range of offences (e.g., failure to appear and drug offences). While usually less violent, these offences can help solve more serious criminal offences.
To illustrate the value of submissions for these offences, offender hit data was selected for a few common secondary designated offences. The table below provides the number of offender hits to investigations (including murders and sexual assaults) that were the outcome of DNA orders being issued for offenders convicted of secondary designated offences.
| Secondary designated offences for which a DNA order has been issued | Total offender hits | Crime investigated |
|---|---|---|
| S.145 Failure to appear, to comply, etc. | 3,694 | 140 Murders |
| 219 Sexual Assaults | ||
| S.266 Assault | 11,264 | 823 Murders |
| 1,731 Sexual Assaults | ||
| Drug offences (CDSA and CA) | 3,531 | 318 Murders |
| 275 Sexual Assaults | ||
| S.264.1 Uttering threats | 1,514 | 106 Murders |
| 197 Sexual Assaults | ||
| Secondary weapon offences (S.85 to S.117.01) | 1,791 | 208 Murders |
| 78 Sexual Assaults |
Case stories
The National DNA Data Bank is proud to contribute to the safety of Canadians by providing assistance in criminal investigations. With the adoption of its humanitarian indices, the National DNA Data Bank also proved to play a valuable role in investigations of missing persons and unidentified human remains.
Cases featured this year emphasize how DNA evidence plays a pivotal role in solving or advancing criminal investigations and successfully prosecuting violent offenders even long after the crime was committed. They also demonstrate how useful the timely identification of potential suspects can be to an investigation, contributing to their prompt arrest.
These achievements serve as compelling examples of the diligent and collaborative efforts from the forensic, policing and judicial communities.
Content warning
This section includes references to violent crimes including sexual assault.
You can change your name, but you can't change your DNA
In January 2020, the Edmonton Police Service Historical Crimes Unit began a review of an unsolved sexual assault case from 1994. Following the assault in 1994, biological samples were collected from the victim at the hospital to help with the investigation. At the time, forensic DNA testing was limited and no suspect was identified despite an extensive investigation.
Following the case review in 2020, biological samples were re-submitted to the RCMP National Forensic Laboratory, hoping they could benefit from advances in forensic technology. An unknown male DNA profile was developed from these exhibits and the profile was added to the Crime Scene Index of the National DNA Data Bank of Canada.
In July 2020, the investigator received a confirmation that this DNA profile matched an existing DNA profile in the Convicted Offender Index, providing the first lead to a possible suspect in 26 years. The suspect's DNA had been added to the Convicted Offenders Index in 2007 following a conviction for a secondary designated offence. Although DNA collection is not mandatory for secondary offences, the court ordered it in this case. Even though the suspect had changed his last name since, this DNA profile match led to his arrest for the crime committed back in 1994.
In November 2021, nearly 27 years after the crime occurred, the suspect pleaded guilty to one count of break and enter with intent, forcible confinement, and sexual assault with a weapon and was sentenced to 15 years in prison thanks to a DNA match within the National DNA Data Bank.
This case highlights the importance of ongoing reviews of unsolved historical crimes with new advancements in technology and a greater level of understanding of the science involved. The suspect in this case would never have been identified if not for DNA technology and the National DNA Data Bank.
DNA catches suspects in home invasion
In the early morning of September 6, 2020, emergency services received a call from an elderly woman reporting that two individuals entered her home and assaulted her and her husband looking for money or a safe.
During the investigation, several items were collected from the scene for forensic analysis. The same DNA profile was obtained from several items, including evidence found under the victims' fingernails, suggesting they had struggled against the attacker. A second unknown DNA profile was obtained from evidence collected at the scene.
Investigators requested that the Laboratoire des sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale de Montréal prioritize DNA analysis. When the crime scene DNA profiles were entered into the National DNA Data Bank, it matched a profile in the Convicted Offender Index, leading to the identification of the first suspect within a few weeks.
Upon his arrest and questioning, the first suspect identified the second individual involved in the home invasion. A DNA warrant was executed to obtain the second suspect's DNA, which confirmed that he was the source of the second unknown profile found at the scene.
In May 2024, both suspects pleaded guilty to one count of break and entering. One suspect also pleaded guilty to two additional counts of assaults.
The Montreal forensic laboratory's expertise and rapid analysis, as well as the National DNA Data Bank's service, helped us identify and convict the two individuals involved in this invasion of an elderly couple's home.
DNA match helps catch suspect at large after shooting
On August 11, 2022, four suspects opened fire randomly outside a restaurant in Montreal using handguns equipped with high-capacity magazines, injuring a woman. The suspects fled in a car leaving over 40 spent shell casings at the scene. Police located the vehicle, initiating a chase that ended when the driver lost control causing the car to overturn in a ditch. Two suspects were arrested at the scene, while the other two escaped on foot. Along their escape route, the police recovered several items, including clothing, a mask, and a blood sample from a fence they had scaled.
The investigator requested urgent processing of the recovered items to identify the two suspects still at large. As a result, two male DNA profiles were obtained and entered into the National DNA Data Bank. One profile matched an existing DNA profile in the Convicted Offender Index, leading to the arrest and charging of the third suspect less than two weeks later. Although the fourth suspect's DNA profile was not in the Convicted Offender Index, it was recovered from crime scene evidence and analyzed by the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale, later confirming his identity and linking him to the crime.
On September 17, 2024, two years after the shooting all four suspects pleaded guilty to several charges related to the shooting and were each sentenced between 10 and 12 and a half years in prison.
The National DNA Data Bank played a crucial role in this case. Not only did it identify a suspect very early on in the investigation, but that identification also guided the subsequent investigative steps that led to the other individuals in this crime to be charged. In this investigation, as in many others in which I have participated, the identifications made possible by the Data Bank make DNA fully deserving of its status as the "Queen of Evidence".
National DNA data bank advisory committee
Established in 2000 under the mandate of the DNA Identification Act, the National DNA Data Bank Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance and direction on scientific advancements, matters of law, legislative changes, privacy issues and ethical practices. In addition, the Advisory Committee reports to the Commissioner of the RCMP on matters related to the National DNA Data Bank operations and advises the Commissioner on a range of issues related to DNA ethics, scientific advancements and legislative changes. The members of the Advisory Committee are appointed by the Minister of Public Safety and collectively represent a diverse spectrum of expertise. The current members of the Advisory Committee are:
-
Chief Superintendant Brendan Heffernan (retired)
Chairperson - Police Community
-
Derrill Prevett, K.C.
Vice-chairperson - Legal Representative
- Frederick R. Bieber, Ph.D
- Bioethics and Medical Genetics
- Ron Fourney, Ph.D, O.O.M.
- Forensic DNA
- Sue O'Sullivan, B.A., O.O.M.
- Human Rights
- Michael Szego, Ph.D, M.H.Sc.
- Bioethics
- Ben Koop, Ph.D, FRSC, CRC
- Molecular Genetics
- Lacey Batalov, M.A.
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Nancy Laurin, Ph.D
- National DNA Data Bank
For more information about the Advisory Committee's role, please visit the National DNA Data Bank Advisory Committee website: https://rcmp.ca/en/national-dna-data-bank/advisory-committee
Key statistics
- Biological samples
- June 30, 2000 through March 31, 2025
- Endorsements
- January 1, 2008 through March 1, 2025
| Criminal index | Number of DNA profiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Convicted Offenders Index | 476,423 | |
| Crime Scene Index | 243,718 | |
| Victims Index | 174 | |
| Voluntary Donors Index | 0 | |
| Total | 720,315 | |
Biological samples received versus DNA profiles contained in the Convicted Offenders Index
As of March 31, 2025, 529,610 biological samples were received, of which 476,423 DNA profiles are contained in the Convicted Offenders Index. The difference of 10% can be attributed to rejected samples, duplicate samples, biological samples in the process of being analyzed and DNA profiles removed because of an absolute or conditional discharge, expired retention period, or because the conviction or the DNA order/authorization was quashed on appeal.
|
||
| Humanitarian index | Total number of DNA profiles entered | Current DNA profiles |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Persons Index | 342 | 294 |
| Relatives of Missing Persons Index | 2,334 | 2,117 |
| Human Remains Index | 515 | 394 |
| Total | 3,191 | 2,805 |
Total DNA profiles entered versus DNA profiles currently contained in the humanitarian indices
The number of DNA profiles currently contained in each humanitarian index as of March 31, 2025 is contrasted to the total number of DNA profiles entered since the creation of these indices in 2018. The difference is attributed to the regulatory requirements to remove DNA profiles when the missing person is located or their remains are identified, consent is withdrawn, or it is believed that the DNA profile will no longer assist in the investigation for which the DNA profile was first obtained.
|
||
| Forensic laboratory | Number of DNA profiles |
|---|---|
| Centre of Forensic Sciences | 97,249 |
| Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale | 66,895 |
| RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services | 79,574 |
| Total | 243,718 |
| Category | Match and association type | Number of matches |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal investigations | Offender hits | 88,629 |
| Conviction hits | 18,060 | |
| Investigative information | 5,233 | |
| No response | 10,085 | |
| Forensic hits | 10,329 | |
| Victim hits | 15 | |
| Offender duplicates table 4 note 1 | 16,024 | |
| Identical DNA profiles | 473 | |
| Humanitarian Investigations (since 2018) |
Human remains hits - Putative identification | 119 |
| Humanitarian index hits - Investigative lead | 36 | |
Explanatory notes
Offender hit
A DNA profile from crime scene evidence of an ongoing criminal investigation (not concluded in court) matches a DNA profile of a convicted offender who has not been eliminated as a potential suspect in that investigation.
Conviction match
A DNA profile from crime scene evidence matches the DNA profile of a convicted offender after that offender was already convicted of that crime.
Investigative information
A DNA profile from crime scene evidence or a victim in an ongoing criminal investigation matches a DNA profile of a convicted offender who has been eliminated as a potential suspect in that investigation.
No response
A DNA profile from crime scene evidence matches the DNA profile of a convicted offender, but the National DNA Data Bank has not received a final confirmation of the match type.
Forensic hit
A DNA profile from crime scene evidence matches a DNA profile from another crime scene. Only forensic hits between DNA profiles of different public forensic laboratories are included in this report.
Victim hit
A DNA profile from an unidentified victim matches a DNA profile of a convicted offender or a missing person.
Human remains hit - Putative identification
A DNA profile from human remains matches or is associated to a DNA profile(s) in the Missing Persons Index, the Convicted Offenders Index or the Relatives of Missing Persons Index.
Humanitarian index hit - Investigative lead
A DNA profile from human remains or a DNA profile developed from a personal effect of a missing person matches to a crime scene DNA profile.
Offender duplicate
Instances where two biological samples from the same person were submitted.
Identical DNA profiles
DNA profiles of identical siblings (for example, twins, triplets). Table 6 notes
|
||
| Case type | Number of hits |
|---|---|
| Break and enter offences | 36,121 |
| Robberies | 9,377 |
| Sexual offences | 8,747 |
| Assaults | 6,963 |
| Homicides | 5,905 |
| Attempted murders | 1,787 |
| Others | 19,729 |
| Total | 88,629 |
| Category of offence | Biological Samples | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 285,449 | 112,056 |
| Secondary | 239,701 | 134,641 |
| Other table 8 note 1 | 4,460 | 1,550 |
| Total | 529,610 | 248,247 |
|
Primary and secondary offences
See section 487.04 of Criminal Code of Canada and section 196.11 of the National Defence Act.
Biological sample
Submission of a biological sample, fingerprints and supporting documentation.
Endorsement
Submission of fingerprints and supporting documentation for those convicted offenders whose DNA profiles are already in the Convicted Offenders Index. Table 8 notes
|
||
| Type of offender | Biological samples | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|
| Adult Offenders | 465,518 | 239,756 |
| Young Offenders | 63,956 | 8,481 |
| Military Offenders table 9 note 1 | 136 | 10 |
| Total | 529,610 | 248,247 |
Table 9 notes
|
||
| Type of offence | Biological samples | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 325,954 | 166,129 |
| Sexual offences | 117,762 | 19,504 |
| Break and enter offences | 71,733 | 50,055 |
| Robberies | 57,907 | 26,566 |
| Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Cannabis Act offences | 48,965 | 23,102 |
| Homicides | 11,613 | 3,380 |
| Others | 92,084 | 84,812 |
| Total | 726,018 | 373,548 |
| Note: More than one offence may be associated with a submission. | ||
| Province/territory | April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025 | June 30, 2000, to March 31, 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological samples | Endorsements | Biological samples | Endorsements (from January 1, 2008) | |
| British Columbia | 1,489 | 1,176 | 57,165 | 25,241 |
| Alberta | 1,966 | 1,676 | 56,790 | 25,535 |
| Saskatchewan | 1,240 | 940 | 23,443 | 6,907 |
| Manitoba | 1,117 | 1,092 | 31,632 | 14,446 |
| Ontario | 10,748 | 11,865 | 235,209 | 142,775 |
| Quebec | 3,732 | 1,703 | 90,552 | 24,163 |
| New Brunswick | 295 | 173 | 7,175 | 1,432 |
| Nova Scotia | 602 | 381 | 13,061 | 3,680 |
| Prince Edward Island | 45 | 21 | 1,437 | 194 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | 149 | 87 | 6,943 | 1,770 |
| Yukon | 20 | 21 | 938 | 330 |
| Northwest Territories | 53 | 52 | 2,686 | 1,030 |
| Nunavut | 44 | 28 | 2,579 | 744 |
| Total | 21,500 | 19,215 | 529,610 | 248,247 |
| Note 1: Represents the convicted offender submissions received and is not reflective of the number of convictions eligible for a DNA order. | ||||
- Rejection of submissions
- The National DNA Data Bank has rejected only 8,295 (1.6%) of the biological samples and 3,745 (1.5%) of the endorsements it has received to date. Reasons for rejection include: the offender was convicted of a non-designated offence, the biological sample was inadequate, the collection kit used was inappropriate (sample), the offender's DNA profile was not contained in the Convicted Offenders Index (endorsement), or the DNA order was missing or invalid.
- Collection of additional bodily substances
- If a biological sample is rejected because the quality of the sample is deemed inadequate for DNA analysis, or if it was not submitted in accordance with the DNA Identification Regulations, an application for resampling can be authorized by a judge. Since June 30, 2000, 2,326 samples taken under this provision were received.
| Reason for removal | Adult | Young person |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional discharge (repealed for adults as of March 6, 2018) | 11,328 | 2,663 |
| Conviction quashed on appeal | 1,002 | 38 |
| Absolute discharge (repealed for adults as of March 6, 2018) | 597 | 281 |
| Duplicate sample (same order) | 399 | 39 |
| No suitable DNA profile obtained | 165 | 25 |
| Order/authorization quashed | 58 | 9 |
| Retention period expired | Not applicable | 12,328 |
| Other | 86 | 19 |
| Total | 13,635 | 15,402 |
| Index and association made | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of DNA profiles in the Crime Scene Index at year-end | 184,549 | 196,827 | 210,001 | 223,823 | 243,718 |
| Increase in Crime Scene Index DNA profiles table 13 note 1 | 11,257 | 12,278 | 13,174 | 13,822 | 19,895 |
| Total number of DNA profiles in Convicted Offenders Index at year-end | 411,999 | 425,567 | 440,139 | 457,477 | 476,423 |
| Increase in DNA profiles in the Convicted Offenders Index table 13 note 1 | 10,453 | 13,568 | 14,572 | 17,338 | 18,946 |
| Submissions received (biological samples and endorsements) | 23,181 | 28,306 | 31,566 | 32,478 | 40,715 |
| Offender hits | 3,971 | 5,031 | 5,236 | 4,862 | 6,961 |
| Forensic hits | 356 | 591 | 736 | 568 | 1,223 |
Table 13 notes
|
|||||
Financial statement
| Expenditure type | Expenditure ($ thousands) |
|---|---|
| Personnel | 3,263 |
| Internal Services | 1,091 |
| Employee Benefit Plan | 1,851 |
| Accommodation | 0 |
| Equipment and Supplies | 1,548 |
| IM/IT Equipment, Radios and Telecommunications | 176 |
| Other Expenditures | 16 |
| Professional and Special Services | 7 |
| Travel and Relocation | 18 |
| Capital Equipment Purchases | 0 |
| Sub-total | 7,970 |
| Allocated Indirect Costs table 14 note 1 | 264 |
| Total | 8,234 |
| Note: The financial statement includes costs for the National Missing Persons DNA Program as these apply within the National DNA Data Bank. | |
Table 14 notes
|
|
- Date modified: