The DNA Laboratory Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Forensic Group (former Crime Laboratory) started its operation in June 2001. This is with the emergence of DNA analysis being used and developed as a forensic tool in the international scientific community and the importance of such analysis in casework as evidence in a court of law. The first DNA case ever received by the laborat
ory was in September of 2001. A total of 14 cases received during that year, all of which were criminal cases in nature and mostly within Metro Manila. In the succeeding years, the cases received by the laboratory have increased significantly with cases coming from the entire archipelago. Currently, PNP DNA has its lone laboratory at the National Headquarters of the PNP Forensic Group in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and forensic DNA analysts covering the entire Philippines. With the continuous influx of cases, it envisioned to have DNA Laboratories in the Visayas and Mindanao. With its capabilities, the laboratory has been instrumental and likewise been significantly involved in the use of deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, in the investigation and resolution of various criminal and civil cases in the country. In view to widen its horizon, the laboratory acquired the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) software donated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States of America. With CODIS, DNA profiles are compared electronically for possible linkage of crime to crimes and offender/s to serial crimes. CODIS will be of importance especially to cases that are of national and international concern.
