What is DNA Profiling?

DNA profiling involves the analysis of specific regions of an individual’s DNA that vary from person to person. These regions, known as genetic markers, help create a DNA profile that can be matched or compared with other samples. This process is widely used in both civil and criminal legal matters.

Legal Applications of DNA Profiling

DNA profiling is commonly used in criminal investigations to link suspects to crime scenes or exclude innocent individuals. In civil matters, it is used for identity disputes, parentage verification, inheritance conflicts, and missing person cases. Courts may also rely on DNA profiling in cases involving fraud, impersonation, or disputed identities.

Use in Missing Person and Disaster Cases

In missing person investigations, DNA profiling helps match unidentified remains with family members. It is also extensively used in mass disaster situations where visual identification is not possible. Courts and investigating agencies depend on DNA profiling for accurate and unbiased results.

Legal Procedure and Chain of Custody

For a DNA profiling test to be legally valid, samples must be collected under strict supervision. Identity verification, proper documentation, sealed evidence handling, and an unbroken chain of custody are mandatory. These steps ensure that the DNA sample has not been tampered with and that the results are legally credible.

Court Admissibility

The final DNA profiling report is prepared according to legal standards and submitted to the court or authorized authority. Due to its scientific reliability, courts consider DNA profiling as strong and dependable evidence.