What does CODIS stand for in the context of criminal investigations?

The term CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System, which is a crucial tool in criminal investigations. CODIS is used by law enforcement agencies to store and compare DNA profiles collected from crime scenes, suspects, and convicted offenders. This system facilitates the identification of individuals through their DNA, thereby helping to solve crimes by matching DNA evidence from a crime scene with known profiles stored in the database. CODIS plays a vital role in criminal justice by improving the efficiency of investigations and promoting the use of forensic science in solving cases.

The other options do not accurately reflect the official designation or purpose of CODIS as it relates to DNA and criminal investigations.