Chicago detectives join DNA squad to pursue rape suspects

CHICAGO Seven of the Chicago Police Department's most experienced sex-crimes detectives are now part of a new D-N-A squad that will specialize in chasing rape suspects.

Such a unit was first suggested several years ago when Chicago Police officials saw how D-N-A was beginning to affect investigations.

In 2003, there were only 174 D-N-A hits for police officers to chase, but that number stood at 897 last year.

The seven detectives will join three other police officers in the new unit.