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.
http://www.wnyc.org/story/nypds-growing-dna-database-raises-concern/