The National DNA Data Bank of Canada Annual Report 2025-2026
Alternate formats and copyright information
The National DNA Data Bank of Canada Annual Report 2025/2026
© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, 2026
- ISSN 1924-7109
- Catalogue number PS61-4E-PDF
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 figures
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, 2025, to March 31, 2026)
Message from the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
I am pleased to present the 2025-2026 National DNA Data Bank annual report on the year of its 25th anniversary.
Since its establishment in 2000, the National DNA Data Bank has become a vital resource in advancing criminal investigations and missing persons cases. By generating new investigative leads, confirming existing ones, and enabling significant savings in time and resources, the Data Bank continues to play a pivotal role in supporting law enforcement efforts across Canada. Its impact is further amplified through strong collaboration with police services, provincial and federal partners, medical examiners, forensic laboratories, and other key stakeholders. These partnerships are essential to solving crimes and to provide some answers to families.
The National DNA Data Bank currently contains more than 495,000 DNA profiles in the Convicted Offenders Index, 260,000 DNA profiles in the Crime Scene Index, and 3,000 DNA profiles in its humanitarian indices. As DNA technology advances and the database continues to grow, it remains an essential resource supporting both current and future investigations. It is also proving invaluable in solving cold cases, some of which date back to the 1970’s.
As we reflect on the important work and recognize the many achievements of the National DNA Data Bank over the last 25 years, I am also excited for the future. With just over 95,000 offender hits, more than 10,000 forensic hits, and 150 identifications of found human remains assisted by the National DNA Data Bank, it continues to evolve to meet the needs of its partners and remains a key resource in criminal and humanitarian investigations.
I am proud to lead an organization committed to safeguarding our communities here in Canada and around the world.
Mike Duheme
Commissioner
National DNA Data Bank
The National DNA Data Bank is a centralized collection of over 750,000 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 leads.
- 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 Relatives 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.
Figure 1: Offender hits and forensic hits by fiscal year
Text version
| Year | Offender hits | Forensic Hits |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 18 | 7 |
| 2002 | 218 | 9 |
| 2003 | 526 | 34 |
| 2004 | 1,110 | 132 |
| 2005 | 1,114 | 198 |
| 2006 | 1,992 | 331 |
| 2007 | 1,941 | 372 |
| 2008 | 1,976 | 324 |
| 2009 | 2,608 | 381 |
| 2010 | 3,095 | 381 |
| 2011 | 3,941 | 298 |
| 2012 | 3,437 | 353 |
| 2013 | 4,037 | 343 |
| 2014 | 4,097 | 325 |
| 2015 | 4,385 | 411 |
| 2016 | 5,044 | 578 |
| 2017 | 4,946 | 562 |
| 2018 | 5,298 | 453 |
| 2019 | 6,583 | 708 |
| 2020 | 6,202 | 655 |
| 2021 | 3,971 | 356 |
| 2022 | 5,031 | 591 |
| 2023 | 5,236 | 736 |
| 2024 | 4,862 | 568 |
| 2025 | 6,961 | 1,223 |
| 2026 | 6,662 | 1,104 |
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.
While all three biological sample types are legally approved for collection, the officers are encouraged to collect blood samples when possible, as blood 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 may be added to the Voluntary Donors Index. Voluntary donor samples collected as part of a humanitarian investigation may be 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
The 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 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 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 an 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.
| Investigation type | Incoming requests | Outgoing requests | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | Offender hits | Forensic hits | Putative identifications | Total | Offender hits | Forensic hits | Putative identifications | |
| Criminal investigations (since 2000) | 2,061 | 11 | 15 | N/A | 445 | 13 | 2 | N/A |
| Humanitarian investigations (since 2018) | 159 | N/A | N/A | 2 | 125 | N/A | N/A | 6 |
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 (for example, 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. | 4,203 | 146 murders |
| 244 sexual assaults | ||
| S.266 Assault | 11,963 | 860 murders |
| 1,791 sexual assaults | ||
| Drug offences (CDSA and CA) | 3,988 | 353 murders |
| 301 sexual assaults | ||
| S.264.1 Uttering threats | 1,618 | 113 murders |
| 206 sexual assaults | ||
| Secondary weapon offences (S.85 to S.117.01) | 2,046 | 226 murders |
| 84 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.
The cases featured this year emphasize how DNA evidence continues to play a pivotal role in solving or advancing criminal investigations and in successfully prosecuting violent offenders, even long after the crime was committed. They also demonstrate the investigative value of timely identification of potential suspects, often contributing to prompt arrests. Finally, one of these cases highlights the importance of a national DNA program in supporting cross-jurisdictional investigations involving missing persons and unidentified human remains.
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.
Double homicide solved within 12 days
In September 2022, a man and his girlfriend were shot in a mall parking lot after an altercation with another couple. While fleeing the scene, the perpetrators also ran over one of the victims as they sped away.
In the days that followed, investigators recovered a firearm near the crime scene and located the getaway vehicle. Ballistics analysis linked the recovered firearm to shell casings collected at the scene. The evidence related to the firearm and to the vehicle was submitted to the Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale in Montréal for expedited processing. Two suspects were promptly identified thanks to DNA matches generated by the National DNA Data Bank.
The shooter was sentenced to life in prison, with no eligible parole for 16 years, for the two murders. His girlfriend received a sentence of five and a half years for accessory after the fact and manslaughter, after running over one of the victims with a vehicle.
The contribution of the DNA result in this case gave a crucial direction in the investigation that led, 12 days later, to the arrest of the two suspects. The suspects were registered in the National DNA Data Bank due to previous convictions, which allowed for their rapid identification and arrest.
DNA key in nabbing repeat offender
In May 2024, an elderly woman was sexually assaulted in her home by an intruder in the middle of the night. After the attack, the woman was taken to the hospital to treat her injuries, where biological material was collected from under her fingernails, as she had attempted to fight off her attacker.
This evidence was sent to the Centre for Forensic Sciences where a DNA profile of an unknown man was generated. This profile was uploaded to the Crime Scene Index of the National DNA Data Bank and matched to a known convicted offender.
The individual had previously been convicted of indecent acts, and the court had ordered that his DNA be taken and added to the Convicted Offenders Index of the National DNA Data Bank. As a result, the perpetrator was promptly identified, arrested and charged for this sexual assault.
The offender plead guilty and, in the fall of 2025, was sentenced to five years in prison. The resolution of the case brought relief to members of the community, including several elderly women, who had been deeply unsettled by this seemingly random crime.
The National DNA Data Bank played an integral part in identifying the suspect involved in this case. The suspect was arrested 21 days from the time of the offence due to the collaborative work from the Centre of Forensic Science and the National DNA Data Bank.
Investigative work across provinces closes a 30-year-old missing person’s case
In 1997, Saskatchewan RCMP was called to investigate human remains found along the North Saskatchewan river just near Lloydminster. Despite their efforts, it was not possible to identify the remains during the initial investigation. Three decades later, the case was reviewed by the Historical Case Unit and submitted to the National Missing Persons DNA Program, while the remains were sent to the National DNA Data Bank for DNA analysis services.
Meanwhile, a detective from the Edmonton Police Services Historical Crime Section was reviewing a missing person case from 1990. He collected and submitted family reference samples to the National Missing Persons DNA Program, hoping to find answers about the disappearance. As DNA samples from multiple family members can provide more information to support comparisons, he took advantage of a trip to British Columbia to seek the collection of a biological sample from an additional relative of the missing person.
In February 2025, the investigators’ combined efforts paid off. The National DNA Data Bank reported an association between the family members of the person that went missing from Edmonton in 1990 and the remains found near Lloydminster in 1997. This outcome showcases the value of the National Missing Persons DNA Program, combined with the dedication and continued efforts of those investigating unsolved historical missing persons cases.
This case highlights the importance of the National DNA Data Bank, particularly when dealing with situations where the remains are found in a different province from where the missing person was reported. The national scope and continuous comparison process make it an invaluable tool in connecting the dots across jurisdictions and bringing closure to families.
Technology is transforming the way investigations are being approached and solved. Access to the National Missing Persons DNA Program allows us to uncover leads in ways that were not possible when the case first opened. Being able to bring closure to the loved ones is extremely rewarding and gives us hope that we can provide answers to other waiting families.
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
- Bio-medical Ethics
- 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
- Medical Genetics
- Lacey Batalov, M.A.
- Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
- Nancy Laurin, Ph.D
- RCMP 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, 2026
- Endorsements
- January 1, 2008 through March 1, 2026
| Criminal index | Number of DNA profiles | |
|---|---|---|
| Convicted Offenders Index | 496,916 | |
| Crime Scene Index | 261,737 | |
| Victims Index | 187 | |
| Voluntary Donors Index | 0 | |
| Total | 758,840 | |
Biological samples received versus DNA profiles contained in the Convicted Offenders Index
As of March 31, 2026, 551,947 biological samples were received, of which 496,916 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 | 435 | 373 |
| Relatives of Missing Persons Index | 2,752 | 2,480 |
| Human Remains Index | 594 | 450 |
| Total | 3,781 | 3,303 |
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, 2026 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 | 105,045 |
| Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale | 71,952 |
| RCMP National Forensic Laboratory Services | 84,740 |
| Total | 261,737 |
| Category | Match and association type | Number of matches |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal investigations | Offender hits | 95,291 |
| Conviction hits | 19,117 | |
| Investigative information | 5,779 | |
| No response | 11,197 | |
| Forensic hits | 11,433 | |
| Victim hits | 16 | |
| Offender duplicates table 4 note 1 | 16,419 | |
| Identical DNA profiles | 492 | |
| Humanitarian Investigations (since 2018) |
Human remains hits - Putative identification | 150 |
| Humanitarian index hits - Investigative lead | 41 | |
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 | 37,834 |
| Robberies | 10,072 |
| Sexual offences | 9,290 |
| Assaults | 7,458 |
| Homicides | 6,274 |
| Attempted murders | 1,968 |
| Others | 22,395 |
| Total | 95,291 |
| Category of offence | Biological Samples | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | 298,691 | 120,929 |
| Secondary | 248,597 | 144,323 |
| Other table 8 note 1 | 4,659 | 1,658 |
| Total | 551,947 | 266,910 |
|
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 | 485,046 | 257,815 |
| Young offenders | 66,763 | 9,084 |
| Military offenders table 9 note 1 | 138 | 11 |
| Total | 551,947 | 266,910 |
Table 9 notes
|
||
| Type of offence | Biological samples | Endorsements |
|---|---|---|
| Assaults | 340,921 | 178,977 |
| Sexual offences | 123,855 | 21,291 |
| Break and enter offences | 73,749 | 53,193 |
| Robberies | 59,630 | 27,980 |
| Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Cannabis Act offences | 50,885 | 24,587 |
| Homicides | 11,975 | 3,783 |
| Others | 98,707 | 92,937 |
| Total | 759,722 | 402,748 |
| Note: More than one offence may be associated with a submission. | ||
| Province/territory | April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026 | June 30, 2000, to March 31, 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biological samples | Endorsements | Biological samples | Endorsements (from January 1, 2008) | |
| British Columbia | 1,491 | 1,046 | 58,656 | 26,287 |
| Alberta | 1,922 | 1,455 | 58,712 | 26,990 |
| Saskatchewan | 1,145 | 689 | 24,588 | 7,596 |
| Manitoba | 1,175 | 1,022 | 32,807 | 15,468 |
| Ontario | 11,474 | 12,126 | 246,683 | 154,901 |
| Quebec | 4,127 | 1,695 | 94,679 | 25,858 |
| New Brunswick | 345 | 189 | 7,520 | 1,621 |
| Nova Scotia | 342 | 213 | 13,403 | 3,893 |
| Prince Edward Island | 41 | 17 | 1,478 | 211 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 153 | 109 | 7,096 | 1,879 |
| Yukon | 23 | 13 | 961 | 343 |
| Northwest Territories | 65 | 73 | 2,751 | 1,103 |
| Nunavut | 34 | 16 | 2,613 | 760 |
| Total | 22,337 | 18,663 | 551,947 | 266,910 |
| 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 8,626 (1.6%) of the biological samples and 4,089 (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, 2,485 samples taken under this provision were received.
| Reason for removal | Adult | Young person |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional discharge (repealed for adults as of March 6, 2018) | 11,334 | 2,872 |
| Conviction quashed on appeal | 1,056 | 40 |
| Absolute discharge (repealed for adults as of March 6, 2018) | 598 | 337 |
| Duplicate sample (same order) | 419 | 40 |
| No suitable DNA profile obtained | 171 | 25 |
| Order/authorization quashed | 59 | 9 |
| Retention period expired | Not applicable | 13,347 |
| Other | 87 | 19 |
| Total | 13,724 | 16,689 |
| Index and association made | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number of DNA profiles in the Crime Scene Index at year-end | 196,827 | 210,001 | 223,823 | 243,718 | 261,737 |
| Increase in Crime Scene Index DNA profiles table 13 note 1 | 12,278 | 13,174 | 13,822 | 19,895 | 18,019 |
| Total number of DNA profiles in Convicted Offenders Index at year-end | 425,567 | 440,139 | 457,477 | 476,423 | 496,916 |
| Increase in DNA profiles in the Convicted Offenders Index table 13 note 1 | 13,568 | 14,572 | 17,338 | 18,946 | 20,493 |
| Submissions received (biological samples and endorsements) | 28,306 | 31,566 | 32,478 | 40,715 | 41,000 |
| Offender hits | 5,031 | 5,236 | 4,862 | 6,961 | 6,662 |
| Forensic hits | 591 | 736 | 568 | 1,223 | 1,104 |
Table 13 notes
|
|||||
Financial statement
| Expenditure type | Expenditure ($ thousands) |
|---|---|
| Personnel | 3,258 |
| Internal Services | 1,100 |
| Employee Benefit Plan | 1,064 |
| Accommodation | 0 |
| Equipment and Supplies | 1,704 |
| IM/IT Equipment, Radios and Telecommunications | 249 |
| Other Expenditures | 15 |
| Professional and Special Services | 7 |
| Travel and Relocation | 8 |
| Capital Equipment Purchases | 48 |
| Sub-total | 7,453 |
| Allocated Indirect Costs table 14 note 1 | 286 |
| Total | 7,739 |
| 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: