The technology used in DNA testing involves scanning 13 specific regions of DNA. There is only a very small possibility that, once the scan is complete and the DNA identified, the DNA could belong to another person. This DNA testing, or scanning, can be done utilizing five different technologies.
Functions
DNA testing can be done to match evidence with possible criminals, and victims, at crime scenes. This testing can also rule out crime suspects. On a personal level, DNA testing can determine a child's paternity and even match organ donors to potential recipients.
Features
DNA testing is done by exposing genetic material to enzymes and charting the result, scanning and analyzing specific DNA sequences, extracting specific proteins from DNA, and analyzing genetic markers to determine such things as paternity.
Considerations
Forensic scientists have applied all the various technologies to test DNA to smaller and smaller samples of genetic material. At the inception of DNA testing, some tests required the use of genetic material at least the size of a U.S. quarter dollar. Now DNA testing can even be tried when biological evidence is sparse.
Tags: genetic material, testing done, This testing
