New York City police said they are examining the DNA on a box cutter that was recovered in Queens where a man used it to slash the throat and face of a 16-year-old Chinese exchange student as she was going to school on Wednesday.

"We are exploring every possibility right now," NYPD Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce said on Thursday. "We have spoken to the victim in this and she has no idea who would do this to her."

Investigators believe the assailant, who was caught on a neighbor's surveillance video, is a white man in his 20s, and do not suspect it is a fellow student, the Post reported on Thursday. The attacker wore a blue sweatsuit, a surgical mask and white gloves.

The victim underwent surgery on Wednesday at Long Island Jewish Medical Center and is recovering from two serious wounds, according to news reports.

The 11th grader was attacked on Wednesday morning a block from her home, the New York Post said, and managed to run back to her house. She moved to New York City from China in August and attends Whitestone Academy, where about 30 percent of its students are Chinese. She is staying with her aunt and uncle.