Department of Defense
INSTRUCTION
NUMBER 5505.14
December 22, 2015
Incorporating Change 1, March 9, 2017
IG DoD
SUBJECT: Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Collection Requirements for Criminal Investigations,
Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Commanders
References: See Enclosure 1
1. PURPOSE. This instruction:
a. Reissues DoD Instruction 5505.14 (Reference (a)) in accordance with the authority in
DoD Directive 5106.01 (Reference (b)).
b. Updates policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures in accordance with the
guidance in section 1565 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.); section 28.12(b) of Title 28,
Code of Federal Regulations; and sections 14132, 14135, and 14135a of Title 42, U.S.C.
(References (c), (d) and (e)), for DNA sample collection requirements for criminal
investigations, law enforcement, corrections, and commanders.
c. Recognizes DoD and the Coast Guard as “agencies of the United States” for the collection
of DNA samples pursuant to References (d) and (e).
d. Does not eliminate other legal or policy requirements to provide DNA, fingerprints, or
criminal history data, including submissions to the Defense Incident-Based Reporting System
pursuant to DoD Directive Instruction 7730.47 (Reference (f)).
e. Does not regulate DNA or other biometric data collected from non-U.S. persons who are
detained or held by DoD or the Coast Guard during combat or operational activities.
f. Does not regulate DNA or other biometrical data collected pursuant to DoD Directive
8521.01E and Public Law 108-458 (References (g) and (h)).
g. Does not regulate DNA samples maintained for identification of human remains, referred
to in section 1565a of Reference (c).
h. Assigns shared funding responsibility to the DoD Component heads and the Commandant
of the Coast Guard for the collection of DNA samples pursuant to References (d) and (e).
