So you trust the database to be exact?
DNA would be significantly harder to fake over 35 years when you're still walking around with your own DNA. Is it perfect? No, but it's a lot more trustworthy in this case than an SSN or driver's license were.
If imperfect is fine then all of these are options too.
Not to mention... Photo id.
Which begs the question: why was the judge/court so incompetent/malicious that they didn't do that in the first place?