DNA tests are used in medical and law enforcement contexts to identify individuals and determine susceptibility to genetic defects and diseases. PCR tests are used for identification, with a match in all 13 areas indicating a positive result. DNA testing is conducted in specialized labs to avoid contamination.
Tests that include a deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) test are called DNA tests. They are used in a number of different contexts, both in the medical and law enforcement fields, for a number of different reasons. In most cases, DNA tests are used to identify individuals, often for paternity or criminal investigations. For those concerned about genetic defects or who are prone to several diseases, these tests can determine how susceptible an individual will be.
The area of DNA testing that deals with tracing diseases and birth defects is sometimes called genetic testing. Often, this is done before the first signs of symptoms appear. If medical science understands that there is a strong likelihood that an individual will develop a certain disease, preventative measures can be taken. In many cases, it may not be possible to stop its onset and symptoms, but symptoms can be eased or controlled early by aggressive treatment.
Many of the benefits of DNA testing are seen in the courtroom, both civilly and criminally. Civilally, these tests can be ordered by the court so that paternity can be determined. This often happens in child support cases where a man claims he has not fathered a child. From the criminal side, it can be used to identify suspects at the crime scene. The use of DNA tests for identification purposes is often called DNA fingerprinting.
The type of DNA testing often done for identification purposes, whether criminal or civil, is called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The PCR test examines repeating base pairs of molecules that can be located in one of 13 areas. If there is a match in all 13 areas between the test sample and the known sample, the call is positive. While the likelihood of matching all 13 areas is approximately one in a billion, there are times when all 13 areas, or loci, will be unavailable. This happens with evidence that deteriorates over time. This situation creates a sliding scale of probability based on how many matches there are. For example, the odds of matching just one of the 13 loci will be very high and could include millions or billions of individuals.
DNA tests are often conducted in a suitable testing location, with highly specialized robotics and materials being used to extract the DNA. This DNA laboratory must be kept free from any kind of contamination that could spoil the test results. Additionally, those working in such laboratories are often medical professionals who are extensively trained in chain-of-custody issues and the ability to keep samples free from outside interference.
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