| The majority of the companies offering DNA | | | | |
| testing services provide DNA analysis and | | | | DNA testing is subject to the legal code of |
| counseling for researching biological | | | | the jurisdiction of the state where it is |
| relationships. Most of these laboratories | | | | being undertaken. In most cases, testing is |
| offer DNA testing kits at no charge for | | | | undertaken voluntary but incase of search |
| potential customers, in order to improvise on | | | | warrant or court order, the testing is made |
| their database. | | | | mandatory. Several jurisdictions have now |
| | | | started assembling databases containing DNA |
| DNA testing, DNA typing or DNA profiling is | | | | information of convicts. The United Kingdom |
| one of promising techniques used to | | | | has the most extensive DNA database in the |
| distinguish between individuals of the same | | | | world, with over two million records by the |
| species. The process uses samples of their | | | | end of 2005. |
| DNA for identifying their genetics. In 1985, | | | | |
| the process was publicly launched by Sir Alec | | | | The companies offering these kits access an |
| Jeffreys at the University of Leicester. | | | | individual's case to determine the type of |
| Genetic fingerprinting exploits highly | | | | testing best suited for him, i.e., either a |
| variable repeating sequences called | | | | personal DNA or legal DNA test. They also |
| microsatellites in finding the differences | | | | provide necessary materials for DNA |
| between two human beings. The process states | | | | collections, and the results are given to the |
| that two unrelated humans are likely to have | | | | person in three to five working days. Mostly, |
| different numbers of microsatellites at a | | | | DNA reports produced by the testing are fully |
| given locus. By using PCR to detect the | | | | accredited by the law, because most of the |
| number of repeats at several loci, the | | | | companies comply by methods specifically |
| process establishes a match that is unlikely | | | | drawn by the state laws. |
| to have arisen by coincidence. | | | | |