| DNA testing is an most widely known for its | | | | profile from limited samples and therefore |
| use in DNA Paternity testing, which is most | | | | they should often be able to obtain a full or |
| commonly used for the identification of a | | | | partial profile from a wide range of samples |
| biological relationship between an alleged | | | | and in various conditions. |
| father and child. | | | | |
| | | | DNA Testing - Confirm or dispel suspicions |
| However, DNA testing has also been adapted | | | | |
| more recently to be used in cases where | | | | If you believe a partner may be engaged in |
| infidelity is alleged, as a means of | | | | unfaithful behaviour, DNA testing may be one |
| determining whether male or female genetic | | | | way to resolve your suspicions. By |
| material is present on a particular item, and | | | | submitting relevant samples of suspicious |
| to confirm the likely owner of that genetic | | | | items, DNA testing procedures can identify |
| material. Provided DNA samples are available | | | | first of all if the DNA present is male or |
| from the alleged 'cheater' and his or her | | | | female, thereby giving a preliminary |
| regular partner, it should be easy to | | | | indication of the likely 'donor' of the |
| determine where additional suspicious genetic | | | | sample. The next step is to produce a DNA |
| material is present which can then be used as | | | | profile of the donor of the sample and |
| the basis for further examination in | | | | compare it to the DNA profile obtained either |
| determining where unfaithful behaviour has | | | | from the most likely donor (if known and |
| been occurring. | | | | available), or else against the profile of |
| | | | the person's regular partner to include or |
| DNA Testing - Common samples for Infidelity | | | | exclude that person. |
| testing | | | | |
| | | | It is important to bear in mind that whilst |
| DNA samples for infidelity testing are | | | | the results of this kind of DNA testing do |
| normally obtained from items of clothing | | | | provide additional information, they aren't |
| particularly underwear as well as items such | | | | necessarily conclusive of the facts. DNA |
| as bed sheets, Kleenex tissues and birth | | | | testing is no guarantee of an unfaithful |
| control contraceptives (e.g. condoms). | | | | occurrence and it should not be the sole |
| However, testing can be applied to any | | | | grounds for any drastic action - it merely |
| material which is suspected to have | | | | points to the fact that foreign genetic |
| biological material on it. The quality of the | | | | material is present, from which the test |
| sample is important, since the more | | | | subjects must draw their own conclusions. In |
| biological material is present and the less | | | | other words, DNA results should be treated as |
| contaminated it is, the easier it is to | | | | a clue rather than evidence. However, armed |
| obtain a DNA profile. Having said that, | | | | with this information, it may be easier to |
| nowadays DNA testing laboratories have | | | | confront the situation or else dispel any |
| improved their ability to obtain a DNA | | | | doubts a person may have. |