USES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
DNA fingerprinting, as commonly known, is used in forensic cases often to undercover key evidence for criminal trials. In crime scenes, bodily fluids such as blood are taken as samples and tested in a lab to help identify the DNA of individuals who might have contributed or were the victim of the crime. In the US, the CODIS (Computer Data Index System) contains several indexes of information containing DNA profiles organized specifically for missing persons, and people who have committed crimes such as sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. These indexes can be used as information for related cases, or in cases where the past criminals are involved again. Since their information is already kept on file, new DNA testing results can easily be compared to previous.
When forming cases in court, prosecutors use DNA profiles to build cases against the accused individual. As well, in appeals court, criminals have the right to use DNA profiles as part of the appeals process. There are laws put in place that allow certain criminals, depending on the situation, to retake DNA tests. Not only does DNA fingerprinting provide evidence to charge criminals, it also has helped free more than 218 criminals from jail, because the method has proved that they were previously wrongfully accused.
DNA fingerprinting, as commonly known, is used in forensic cases often to undercover key evidence for criminal trials. In crime scenes, bodily fluids such as blood are taken as samples and tested in a lab to help identify the DNA of individuals who might have contributed or were the victim of the crime. In the US, the CODIS (Computer Data Index System) contains several indexes of information containing DNA profiles organized specifically for missing persons, and people who have committed crimes such as sexual assaults, and other violent crimes. These indexes can be used as information for related cases, or in cases where the past criminals are involved again. Since their information is already kept on file, new DNA testing results can easily be compared to previous.
When forming cases in court, prosecutors use DNA profiles to build cases against the accused individual. As well, in appeals court, criminals have the right to use DNA profiles as part of the appeals process. There are laws put in place that allow certain criminals, depending on the situation, to retake DNA tests. Not only does DNA fingerprinting provide evidence to charge criminals, it also has helped free more than 218 criminals from jail, because the method has proved that they were previously wrongfully accused.
uses in Genealogy
Another use for DNA fingerprinting is to trace and establish connections in family trees or genealogy. DNA tests are commonly used to track paternal and maternal. One company in particular that specializes in DNA databases for ancestry is Family Tree DNA. The company searches for matches in DNA profiles to determine whether an individual has any relatives. A match of 67 markers on both of the individual's DNA strand shows that they are commonly related through a recent relative.[source: HowStuffWorks].