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

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 racial and gender 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.