Since the mid-1990s of the last century, DNA research has become synonymous with scientific progress in forensics. DNA profiling based on the analysis of STR loci polymorphism is considered the gold standard and constitutes an invaluable source of information, enabling, inter alia, the identification of suspects and wanted persons and the identification of corpses, including that based on kinship analysis. However, such analysis is laborious and time-consuming. To reduce this inconvenience, a technology described as rapid DNA has been developed.

Forensic DNA databases that operate in the zone forming an interface between science and law have the purpose of gathering and processing DNA profiles for the needs of law enforcement and judicial authorities responsible for preventing and combating crime. Therefore, their appropriate functioning is important. On one hand, it improves efficiency of police work and, on the other hand, it has to play a required role in protecting citizen rights and personal data. The National DNA Database has functioned in Poland since 2007. Its effectiveness is correlated with the number of stored profiles. Despite small collection the Database has on numerous occasions proven its high usefulness in solving criminal cases. The possibility of carrying out searches in other countries databases, as well as legislative and organisational undertakings aiming at improvement of the Database operation are gradually bringing effects and result in an increased detective potential of this tool.