The NYPD's Growing DNA Database Raises Concern

The NYPD is increasingly turning to DNA to help solve crimes. And it's worked: The science has helped develop investigative leads and given prosecutors ammunition in court. But as the police have gotten more aggressive about collecting genetic material, they've quietly amassed a giant database of DNA profiles without any laws and little oversight over how they can use it.

As the science advances and the size of the databases grows, civil-liberties groups, defense attorneys and advocates are ringing alarm bells. WNYC and The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom focused on guns in America, took a look at the growth of law enforcement DNA databases. Click on the audio above to hear our story, and click here to read the print article, co-published with The Daily News.

NYPD Deputy Chief Emanuel Katranakis touts new DNA testing to create an image of a headless body. As cops have gotten more aggressive using DNA, they've quietly amassed a giant database of profiles.

(Robert Lewis/WNYC News)