China is preparing its first DNA databank to help police track down criminals such as rapists and murderers.

The Beijing Morning Post reported Friday that the plan was revealed at an international seminar on the use of DNA as legal evidence.

An expert said that in about 60 percent of violent crime cases the perpetrators leave behind genetic evidence and in rapes, the figure is 95 percent.

At present, DNA is only used as evidence in about 10 percent of criminal cases in China.

(CRI November 28, 2004)