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Glite Dictionary
Combined DNA Index System

Combined DNA Index System

4.7
Computer system that stores people's DNA profiles so police can find matches in criminal cases
  • noun
  • /kəmˈbaɪnd diˈɛnˈeɪ ˈɪndɛks ˈsɪstəm/
  • Formal
translation icon : Sistema Combinado de Índice de ADN
  • CODIS is the Combined DNA Index System, which is a national DNA database maintained by the FBI.

CODIS is the Combined DNA Index System, which is a national DNA database maintained by the FBI.

Examples

  • Detectives submitted the suspect's profile to the Combined DNA Index System to check for matches with known offenders.

  • Many law enforcement agencies rely on the Combined DNA Index System to solve cold cases through DNA evidence.

  • It's called the Combined DNA Index System, or CODIS for short.

  • The FBI, which has led the way in developing DNA as a forensic tool, has worked with state and local laboratories to create the Combined DNA Index System.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The FBI maintains the Combined DNA Index System to aid in criminal investigations by comparing DNA profiles.

Surface Forms

Combined DNA Index System singular
Combined DNA Index Systems plural

Morphology

combined + DNA + index + system

This is a literal, compositional technical name: 'combined' + 'DNA' + 'index' + 'system' directly indicates a system that unites DNA indices for storage and comparison. While institutional details (e.g. FBI maintenance) are specific, the basic function is immediately inferable by a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Combined DNA Index System gives a simple picture: imagine a big shared computer list where each person's DNA is saved and an index points to each record. Police 'combine' many DNA profiles into one system so they can quickly 'find a match' in crimes, so the name means a shared police DNA database used to link suspects and cases.