ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

The Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) primarily serves the function of storing DNA profiles collected from various sources, such as crime scenes, convicted offenders, and missing persons. This system facilitates the comparison of DNA samples from different jurisdictions, enabling law enforcement agencies to identify suspects, link cases to one another, and assist in criminal investigations. When a DNA sample is entered into CODIS, the system compares it against existing profiles to find matches, which can lead to breakthroughs in ongoing cases.

The other choices, while related to forensic science, do not accurately reflect the specific role of CODIS. Collecting fingerprints pertains to a different type of forensic identification, analyzing blood samples relates to toxicology and blood evidence processing, and tracking criminal activities involves different databases and tools used for crime analysis rather than DNA profiling. Thus, the focus of CODIS on the storage and matching of DNA profiles is central to its purpose in the criminal justice system.