MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Saturday called for the establishment of a

forensic DNA database in the Philippines to aid in investigation and resolution of crimes.

The senator, former Philippine National Police chief, filed Senate Bill No. 1577 or Forensic DNA Database
Act which states that DNA technology will help in establishing “identity and prosecution of criminals.”

Dela Rosa said the DNA system will also be used to clear suspects and exonerate persons who are
wrongly convicted of a crime.

The database will also include data on “paternity and other family relationships and the identification of
disaster victims and missing persons.”

The database will be known as Philippine National Forensic DNA Database which will be under PNP
Crime Laboratory supervision.

The PNP Crime Laboratory will also ensure that DNA profiles and information are “securely stored and
remain confidential.”

The bill also penalizes any person who will be found guilty of tampering, abetting or attempting to
tamper DNA records and samples.

Those who will tamper DNA records will face imprisonment of 12 years and one day and a fine of
P600,000.

Any person who will “unjustifiably” refuse to give a sample or obstruct the taking of a DNA sample will
be slapped with a fine of not more than P300,000 or imprisonment of not more than six years or both.
Dela Rosa pushes for the creation of DNA database

A measure seeking to establish a forensic DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) database in the country to help in
the investigation and expeditious resolution of crimes by providing a reliable method of identification
has been filed in the Senate.

Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who introduced Senate Bill No. 1577 or the Forensic DNA Database Act,
said DNA technology has been scientifically proven to be an invaluable tool in the identification of a
person and has been used in establishing the identity and prosecution of criminals.

"It can be used to identify criminals with scientific accuracy when biological evidence exists," Dela Rosa
said.

Apart from identifying criminals, Dela Rosa said DNA analysis could also be used to clear suspects and
exonerate persons mistakenly accused or convicted of crime.

He said having a DNA database has other uses such as establishing paternity and other family
relationships and the identification of disaster victims and missing persons.

Dela Rosa said the DNA database, which shall be known as the Philippine National Forensic DNA
Database, shall be under the Philippine National Police (PNP).

He said the DNA shall contain profiles of persons classified under the following indices: crime scene
suspects, arrested persons, convicted offenders, detainee, law enforcement and military personnel,
elimination persons, missing persons, unidentified human remains and voluntary persons.
Under the bill, the PNP Crime Laboratory shall be responsible for the general conduct, administration
and management of the DNA database and shall ensure that DNA profiles and information are securely
stored and remain confidential.

The bill also seeks to create a national DNA database scientific advisory committee which shall develop a
DNA testing database quality assurance standard for DNA testing and data basing, including standards
for testing the proficiency of forensic laboratories and forensic analysts conducting forensic DNA
analysis.

The committee shall be composed of nine members -- three representatives from the PNP, two from the
National Bureau of Investigation, one each from Department of Science and Technology, the
Department of Health, and two representatives from other government agencies or institutions actively
engaged in forensic DNA testing. It shall be headed by an official of the PNP.

Any person found guilty of tampering, abetting or attempting to tamper DNA records and samples face
imprisonment of 12 years and one day and a fine of not less than P600,000. Imprisonment of eight years
and one day and a fine of not lower than P500,000 shall be slapped on any person for improper
disclosure of DNA samples and records.

Any person who shall unjustifiably refuse to give non-intimate sample or obstruct the taking of DNA
sample shall be liable to a fine of not more than P300,000 or imprisonment not exceeding six years or
both.

"This bill will provide the statutory authority for the creation of a forensic National DNA Database in the
country that will greatly contribute to the investigation and expeditious resolution of crimes, providing a
reliable method of identification," Dela Rosa said.
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Abstract

In this article, we consider the effectiveness of DNA analysis in criminal investigations. Through this
investigative tool, unknown victims, suspects, and serial offenders have been identified. At the same
time, wrongly charged and convicted individuals have been eliminated from investigations or released
from custody following DNA testing. We know forensic DNA analysis is powerful in individual
cases/certain crime types, but its aggregate contribution to criminal detections is low and questioned.
There is little evidence to demonstrate its actual contribution. We examined the possible reasons for the
low impact of forensic DNA, with some recommendations that may further maximize its utility. Available
evidence demonstrates that there remains a need to ensure value for money in continued investment in
forensic DNA analysis. An evaluation of trends in criminal activities and detection opportunities utilizing
DNA evidence may help in identifying specific areas where DNA is most useful, and resources can be
focused. Additionally, the potential of integrated multi-biometric analysis/systems and other evidence
types should be explored.
Forensic DNA analysis can make a valuable contribution to criminal investigations.

The results of studies into the above effectiveness metrics generally indicate a potential for forensic DNA
analysis to enhance the investigative capabilities of the police by identifying unknown suspects in cases
involving DNA, such as murder, burglary, sexual assaults, and violent offenses; and reduce crime through
the incapacitation and deterrence effects of DNA databases