The federal DNA Analysis 

Backlog Elimination Act of 

2000, signed into law on December 19, 2000, requires the 

Court Services & Offender 

Supervision Agency (CSOSA) 

to collect DNA samples from 

each ex-offender under the 

jurisdiction of the Agency on 

supervised released, parole, 

probation and who is, or has 

been, convicted of a qualifying 

District of Columbia offense. 

 The D.C. Council in the 

“DNA Sample Collection Act of 2001,” the 

DNA Sample Emergency Act or 2001,” and 

the “DNA Sample Collection Congressional 

Review Emergency Act 

of 2001” determined the 

qualifying District of 

Columbia offenses. 

DNA (deoxyribonucleic 

acid) is a molecule found 

in the nuclei of cells that 

determines our individual characteristics. 

Drawing blood is the 

most common method 

used to collect DNA 

samples from offenders, although the same DNA is in 

saliva, organs, semen and hair. 

DNA isolated from blood, hair, 

skin cells, or other genetic evidence left at the scene of a 

crime can be compared with the 

DNA of a criminal suspect to 

determine guilt or innocence. 

Collected samples are subsequently sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 

analysis. The results of this 

analysis are recorded in the 

FBI's Combined DNA Index 

System (CODIS) of the Federal 

Bureau of Investigation. The 

permissive uses of such samples or results are specified in 

the Violent Crime Control and 

Law Enforcement Act of 1994 

(42 United States code 141132

(b)(3)). 

The FBI CODIS blends forensic science and computer technology into an effective tool for 

solving violent crimes. CODIS 

enables federal, state, and local 

crime labs to exchange and 

compare DNA profiles electronically, thereby linking 

crimes to each other and to 

convicted offenders. The Convicted Offender index contains 

DNA profiles of individuals 

convicted of felony sex offenses (and other violent 

crimes). 

Following verification of offenders' DC qualifying offense, 

the offender is given a DNA 

referral collection form (which 

he/she signs in the presence of his 

Community Supervision Offficer 

(CSO), and is scheduled for DNA 

collection. 

To ensure proper identification of 

an offender subject to DNA collection, verification of their identity is imperative. If accompanied 

by their Community Supervision 

Officer, verbal confirmation as 

well as identification by their 

Date of Birth, Social Security 

Number, Police Department Identification number and FBI 

number must all be confirmed. Upon confirmation 

of the person’s identity, the 

sample collected is composed of drawn blood. Sample collection is conducted 

by trained CSOSA staff. 

 After obtaining the sample the Community Supervision Assistant signs FBI 

form FD-936 and imprints 

the offender’s index fingerprints on the form. The 

form’s then be signed by the 

collector. The collector 

packages the initialed vial 

containing the blood sample 

along with the completed 

form FD-936 and affixes the 

evidence seal. Before commencing collection from the next offender, the collection kit for the 

preceding offender must be sealed 

and set aside for mailing to the 

FBI. CSOSA has initiated a state 

of the art chain of custody for this 

procedure. 

If an offender does not comply, he 

or she may be convicted of a Class 

A federal misdemeanor punishable 

by a fine of up to $100,000 and/or 

imprisonment for up to one year. 

June 2006 DNA COLLECTION 

Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency 

for the District of Columbia 

633 Indiana Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20004 

CSOSA FACT SHEET 

Did You Know? 

• Each year approximately 2,000 offenders 

will be released from 

custody and return to 

live in the District of 

Columbia 

• Examples of qualifying 

District of Columbia 

offenses include: 

• Assault with intent to 

kill, rob, or poison, or to 

commit first degree 

sexual abuse, second 

degree sexual 

• Abuse or child sexual 

abuse 

• Assault with intent to 

commit mayhem or 

with dangerous weapon 

• Mayhem or maliciously 

disfiguring 

• Cruelty to children 

• Lewd, indecent, or 

obscene acts 

(knowingly in the presence of a child under 

the age of 16 years 

• Incest 

• Sexual performances 

using minors 

• Murder in the first degree 

• Assault on member of 

police force, campus or 

university special police, or fire department 

using a deadly or dangerous weapon 

For additional information, contact the CSOSA Office of Legislative, 

Intergovernmental and Public Affairs at (202) 220-5333. 

www.csosa.gov