DNA database to track travelling offenders

New South Wales Police have begun using a national DNA database to help investigate unsolved crimes.

The database matches evidence collected at crime scenes with criminal profiles to track down offenders who may have moved interstate.

Police Minister David Campbell says the national database is helping solve crimes across Australia.

"This is about breaking down state borders, sharing information and sharing data about criminal activity and criminal's DNA profiles," he said.

"That means that it is much more difficult for criminals to move interstate to avoid detection."

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