Lil Wayne Appears for DNA Hearing

(AP)  Lil Wayne is appearing in a Manhattan courtroom, but DNA science is taking center stage.

A hearing on a DNA profiling technique used in the rapper's 2007 gun-possession case was due to start Wednesday. It concerns a process used for identifying people from tiny amounts of DNA - including some that prosecutors say ties the Grammy Award-winner to a gun found on his tour bus after a concert.

Gun Found On Lil Wayne's Bus Admissible

The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty. He faces at least three-and-a-half years in prison if convicted.

The hearing aims to establish whether what's known as low copy number DNA profiling has general scientific acceptance.

Photos: Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne, born Dwayne Carter, won last year's best rap solo performance Grammy for "A Milli." His albums include "Tha Carter," "Tha Carter II" and "Tha Carter III."