What is Forensic Genetic (DNA) Testing?
Forensic genetic (DNA) testing involves the analysis of DNA in criminal investigations to positively identify the perpetrator and/or victim of a crime. Genetic testing is just one type of testing performed in a forensic lab, which often performs analyses of many different types of evidence. • The primary tool used in forensic genetics is called DNA fingerprinting (also called DNA profiling), which refers to a range of techniques to determine the unique DNA make-up that each person has for the sole purpose of identification. • DNA may be taken from multiple sources including, personal items (i.e. toothbrush or razor), banked samples (i.e. banked sperm or tissue), bodily fluids (i.e. saliva or semen), or people. Forensic genetics testing has revolutionized the criminal justice system and is widely used throughout the world. Forensic genetic testing has played an important role in the media attention and public’s awareness of genetics in general.
