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A family member cannot collect or submit personal DNA samples for profiling and upload to CODIS. All samples must be collected by criminal justice personnel who verify the DNA donors' identity, collect the samples, and contact their assigned NamUs Regional System Administrator to request testing. 

Submit a request for assistance or information by visiting the Contact Us page and selecting "Biometric Support (DNA/Dentals/Prints/Anthro/Analytical)" in "Nature of Inquiry" field.

A family reference sample must be collected by a law enforcement officer, medical examiner, coroner, or other medicolegal investigator. All family reference sample requests must be submitted with a completed DNA Sample Collection Form.

First-degree relatives (parent, full sibling, or child) are most beneficial for Short Tandem Repeat (STR) DNA comparisons. Second-degree relatives (half-sibling, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.) may be useful for limited STR comparisons, as well as for Y-STR or mitochondrial DNA comparisons; however, first-order relatives are always preferred when available.

In order for proper searching to take place in CODIS, and for potential associations to be identified, DNA profiles from at least two family members should be collected for every missing person case. If no first-degree relatives are available, additional family reference collections may be required. If you have questions regarding DNA collections in a particular case, contact your NamUs Regional System Administrator .

It is important to note on the DNA submission paperwork if siblings share only one parent, and if they are half-siblings, it is important to note if they are paternally or maternally related, as this information will allow the laboratory to ensure that proper searching takes place within CODIS. For instance, half-siblings who share the same mother will be utilized as both a nuclear and mitochondrial DNA reference.

Once your assigned Regional System Administrator  has approved your case for DNA analysis, and you have submitted your samples to the assigned laboratory, the expected turn-around-time is 120 calendar days.  However, factors may impact this timeline, including additional testing required due to sample type and quality. 

Yes, we are still able to process a sample from a deceased individual as long as the obtaining officer completes and signs the Affidavit of Voluntary Collection. This form can be obtained by contacting the Regional System Administrator assigned to the case.

Se solicita a los familiares de las personas desaparecidas que proporcionen muestras de ADN que se perfilan y cargan en el Sistema Nacional de Índices de ADN, en un esfuerzo por localizar a las personas desaparecidas a través de búsquedas en la base de datos de ADN. Estas muestras, conocidas como muestras de referencia familiar, son envíos voluntarios de ADN que se utilizan únicamente en la búsqueda de un ser querido desaparecido.

El Sistema Nacional de Índice de ADN, o NDIS, es parte del Sistema de Índice de ADN Combinado (CODIS). NDIS contiene perfiles aportados por laboratorios de ADN participantes federales, estatales y locales en todo el país. Los perfiles de ADN cargados en NDIS se organizan en índices, como el índice de delincuentes convictos. Los perfiles directos de una persona desaparecida, que se derivan de elementos como cepillos de dientes o muestras de tejido, se cargan en el índice de personas desaparecidas de CODIS. Los perfiles de los difuntos no identificados se cargan en el índice de personas no identificadas de CODIS. Los perfiles de los miembros de la familia se cargan en el índice de familiares de personas desaparecidas.

Los perfiles de ADN de las personas que proporcionen Muestras de referencia familiar en un esfuerzo por localizar a un ser querido desaparecido se cargarán en el índice de familiares de personas desaparecidas de CODIS, que solo se busca en el índice de seres humanos no identificados de CODIS. Los perfiles de referencia familiar no se comparan con ninguno de los índices penales, como los que contienen perfiles de delincuentes condenados o sospechosos desconocidos.