| DNA testing is becoming of increasing importance | | | | DNA Testing - DNA Database and Criminal |
| in both civil and criminal legal circles. In the field of | | | | Identification |
| private law, it is often important to be able to | | | | Even in justice and policing matters, maintaining |
| determine family relationships for financial reasons, | | | | DNA samples for identification purposes is |
| or to enforce a range of other obligations. | | | | becoming more prevalent across the world, with |
| Because of the effectiveness of DNA testing in | | | | widespread DNA database construction well under |
| determining where such relationships might arise, | | | | way. The idea behind this form of using DNA |
| they are becoming far more widely used in | | | | evidence is to provide a better resource against |
| determining family relationships as proof in both | | | | which potential re-offenders can be identified. |
| civil and criminal trials. | | | | Ethics aside, this will no doubt prove an important |
| DNA Testing - Uses in Inheritance Issues | | | | tool in the fight against crime, and will certainly |
| In inheritance law, even where the deceased has | | | | provide the authorities with more wide-ranging |
| left a will, it's often important to know what kind | | | | powers in pursuit of suspected criminals. |
| of family relationships exists. In most jurisdictions, | | | | Likewise in criminal law circumstances, where a |
| children of the deceased are automatically entitled | | | | suspect has allegedly killed a victim. Analysis of |
| to a share of the moveable estate, thus this can | | | | traces of blood or head hairs can be used to |
| often lead to disputes as to who is and is not a | | | | determine without reasonable doubt that the |
| child of the testator. Using DNA samples from the | | | | accused was present at the scene or was |
| testator and the alleged child or children, it's | | | | involved in some regard with the victim's death. |
| possible to confirm where such a relationship does | | | | Alternatively, DNA found at the scene of a |
| in fact exist, allowing the courts a decree of | | | | robbery could be enough to point towards a |
| clarification on the true circumstances of a | | | | positive identification of the accused, along with |
| particular case. From here, the legacies payable to | | | | supporting witness testimony to corroborate. |
| each child can be finalised, thanks to the closure | | | | DNA Testing - Immigration purposes |
| provided by the DNA test results. | | | | Immigration law relies heavily on DNA testing and |
| DNA Testing - Determining Alimony Liability | | | | DNA test results to prove or establish where |
| In family law, there is often an obligation to | | | | family relationships may exist, which can then be |
| aliment children until they reach adulthood. Again, | | | | used to determine the processing of immigration |
| this can give rise to allegations of parentage or | | | | applications. Without DNA testing facilities, the |
| otherwise, which can require positive DNA testing | | | | process of establishing true family relationships in |
| to determine the true facts. Depending on the | | | | immigration would be much more detailed, more |
| outcome, whether or not the subject is the | | | | prone to possible errors and therefore less |
| father of the child in question will determine | | | | efficient. However, through a DNA paternity or |
| whether or not he may be pursued for alimentary | | | | relationship test, it is now possible to identify |
| payments, hence DNA testing plays an all-too | | | | relatives and process the visa application within |
| important role in this form of legal decision making. | | | | shorter time frames. |