A DNA database that stores biological evidence left at crime scenes or collected from suspects has helped identify suspects in 245 criminal cases in the six-month period since it came into operation last September, the National Police Agency said Thursday.
As of Feb. 28, the database stored DNA samples from 2,487 known suspects that have been collected during investigations and 2,054 DNA samples found at scenes of unsolved crimes by unknown parties.
The database helped identify another 233 crimes committed by 179 suspects through its cross-referencing system, in which suspects' DNA profiles sent from prefectural police are compared with DNA samples obtained from biological evidence, including hair, blood and other body fluids, found at crime scenes, NPA officials said.