John Doe Warrant
Home > 4. Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) > John Doe Warrant
Many states have statute of limitations laws that might prevent the prosecution
of a case if a match is not determined in a timely manner. Therefore, if no
offender match occurs in cases in which statutes of limitations are an issue,
consideration may be given (in consultation with the prosecutor) to preparing
a John Doe warrant.
When a DNA profile is developed from evidence in a case where the suspect is not immediately known and no offender match occurs, a John Doe warrant may be filed. The DNA profile of the perpetrator, which was developed from the evidence in the investigation, is used to describe the perpetrator in the language of the warrant. The DNA profile generated by the crime laboratory should be clearly printed on the face of the warrant. The filing of a John Doe warrant effectively prevents the expiration of the statute of limitations on a particular case.
