DNA profiling is a relatively recent scientific breakthrough which has been developed and perfected over the last 25 years. Through DNA profiling, scientists are able to identify individuals using their DNA, which is the genetic material that is present in the cells in our bodies. It is also responsible for all the unique information that makes each individual unique and different.
DNA sequence is nearly the same in all human beings, but there are important differences found in each individual’s DNA. Scientists use these differences to identify individuals, which can be done through the highly accurate process of DNA profiling.
Compared to the traditional method of fingerprinting, the process of DNA profiling gives results that are a lot more powerful and accurate. Unlike traditional fingerprinting, DNA profiling allows scientists to determine or confirm family relationships, especially paternity. Except in the case of twins, wherein two individuals have almost the same exact DNA (find out more about their DNA in our Twins DNA test) The advanced techniques of DNA profiling are able to distinguish relationships through genetics in pretty much all the rest of the cases.
There is a reason why a lot of work has been allocated for the development and perfection of the process, and here are 6 things wherein DNA profiling has proved to be tremendously useful.
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Confirming paternity
Traditionally, confirming the paternity or identifying the real biological father of a child involved techniques that were not entirely accurate. With the development of DNA testing, confirming a child’s parentage is now possible and accurate. This is an important breakthrough in the field of science as knowing the identity of their parents would have an immense positive impact on most children. Click here if you would like to order at home paternity test
No other method so far has come near to DNA profiling, which has also become an essential legal tool that is useful in cases involving custody, parental rights, and child support obligations.
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Determining familial relationships
Aside from confirming paternity, DNA profiling is also a very useful technique when it comes to determining other familial relationships, such as the biological link between an individual and their potential siblings, parents, and even extended family members. You can see the full list of DNA relationship test here .
This is actually a requirement for immigration processes, especially in the United States.
DNA profiling is the best and often the only way to scientifically establish these relationships, especially if the individual’s records are missing or incomplete. Because of the high accuracy of a DNA profiling test, a successful test result can often lead to a positive result in one’s immigration case.
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Analysing ancestry
Some people tend to go beyond identifying their parentage and immediate family. For various reasons, these people are curious to find out more about their roots. Through DNA profiling, they can access information about their potential ancestors. In some cases, these ancestry results can even have legal implications wherein evidence that you belong to a certain tribe, for example, can make you eligible to receive financial benefits and other exclusive opportunities.
You can have look to all ancestry test here.
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Identifying criminals
It has been implied a couple of times that a DNA profiling test result can serve as a legitimate piece of evidence in the legal court. Aside from paternity and ancestry, DNA profiling is often used to solve crimes by identifying criminals.
In a crime scene containing an individual’s bodily fluids, DNA profiling can accurately identify the person to whom these fluids belong, hence associating them with the crime. It is especially crucial in solving rape cases, where scientists can analyse the DNA sample in the bodily fluid and identify the perpetrator. Even when there is no bodily fluid in the crime scene, scientists can study the DNA profiles found in other sources like shedded skin cells or hair follicles.
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Exonerating the innocent
It has well been established that DNA profiling is oftentimes an indispensable part of crime scene investigation. But aside from identifying the criminal, DNA profiling also has the ability to exonerate an innocent individual from a crime they have been accused of being guilty of.
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Identifying victims’ remains
Finally, aside from determining familial relationships and solving crimes, DNA profiling is also useful in identifying the unrecognisable remains of victims. Oftentimes, these individuals were victims of tragedies like fire, flood, and vehicular accidents. If it is virtually impossible to identify the remains by simply looking at them, DNA profiling is employed to identify the individual to whom the remains belong.
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