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       San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin has alleged that the city police department used DNA from a woman’s years-old rape kit to arrest her as a suspect in a recent property crime.

       Boudin on Monday announced that he learned that the police crime lab had used a database that contains DNA profiles from sexual assault victims, saying that the alleged practice could discourage victims of sexual assault from coming forward, KTVU reported.

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       "I am disturbed that victims who have the courage to undergo an invasive examination to help identify their perpetrators are being treated like criminals rather than supported as crime victims," Boudin said in a statement to SFGATE.

       San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin announced the allegation on Monday. (Photo By Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

       Attorney Mary Alexander, who specializes in sexual assault cases, told KTVU that the alleged practice could "have a chilling effect on women coming forward."

       "It is potentially, an illegal search and seizure, and using her DNA in an improper manner," Alexander told the station. "So I think it’s of grave concern that this kind of thing is happening."

       Boudin has alleged that the city police department used DNA from a woman’s years-old rape kit to arrest her as a suspect in a recent property crime. (KTVU)

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       Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement to media outlets that he's ordered an investigation into the allegations and will end the practice if true.

       "We must never create disincentives for crime victims to cooperate with police, and if it’s true that DNA collected from a rape or sexual assault victim has been used by SFPD to identify and apprehend that person as a suspect in another crime, I’m committed to ending the practice," Scott said.

       Fox News Digital has reached out to the district attorney's office and the San Francisco Police Department but did not immediately hear back.