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