Use of DNA typing in criminal cases has steadily risen since the technology was introduced in the United States a decade ago. The importance of DNA has grown significantly. The "Crime Bill" package includes long-awaited legislation to help strengthen and standardize the use of DNA typing as a crime-fighting tool. 

The DNA Identification Act will: 

(1.) Provide direct grants for five years to states to develop or improve their forensic DNA laboratories; 

(2.) Officially charter an FBI-run national DNA identification index to facilitate the exchange among the states of DNA records from criminal cases; 

(3.) Establish a DNA standards advisory board to recommend standards for crime laboratories on DNA quality assurance and testing proficiencies.