ALBANY (AP) -- Changes intended to include more people in New York's DNA database of criminals has taken effect.
New York is now collecting DNA samples from everyone convicted of a felony or penal misdemeanor.
The so-called "all-crimes DNA" program was authorized in a law earlier this year.
The measure that took effect Wednesday will roughly double the collections that are made with saliva swabs, previously from all felons and people convicted of 36 misdemeanors.
The new law also expanded access to give defense lawyers more access to the database to defend or exonerate their clients. The database contains genetic profiles from offenders and crime scenes, including post-conviction testing.
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