National and state-level datasets of United States forensic DNA databases 2001-2025

TL;DR

This paper presents comprehensive datasets documenting the evolution, structure, and policies of U.S. forensic DNA databases from 2001 to 2025, enabling detailed longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses.

Contribution

It introduces harmonized, multi-level datasets on forensic DNA infrastructure, policies, and demographics across the U.S. from 2001 to 2025, filling a critical data gap.

Findings

Reconstructed monthly NDIS statistics from FBI archives.

Compiled state-level policy and demographic data.

Enabled analysis of database growth and policy variation.

Abstract

Forensic DNA databases in the United States have expanded substantially over the past two decades. However, comprehensive, harmonized data describing database structure and composition remain limited. This dataset series documents forensic DNA infrastructure across national and state levels from 2001 to 2025. It includes a reconstructed time series of monthly National DNA Index System (NDIS) statistics from FBI archives, capturing counts of offender, arrestee, and forensic profiles, participating laboratory totals, and investigations aided. A complementary dataset compiles publicly available state-level statistics and policy metadata on arrestee collection laws, familial search practices, and DNA collection statutes across all 50 states. A third dataset provides standardized demographic and annual collection data obtained through previously published public records requests, including sex and racial composition where reported. Together, these resources provide a foundation for studying the historical development of forensic DNA systems in the U.S., enabling longitudinal and cross-sectional analyses of database growth, policy variation, and reporting practices across jurisdictions.