DNA profiling, also called DNA fingerprinting, has been providing mankind with reliable evidence of biological relationships for years. This test is also used widely in official use cases, such as legal and official needs. Agencies like law enforcement constantly rely on DNA profiling to catch the perpetrators after linking them to the crime scenes.
A DNA fingerprinting test helps generate a detailed map of an individual’s DNA. This profile is later used to confirm relationships such as paternity and maternity for peace of mind, legal disputes, and sponsored immigration.
What is the DNA Profiling Test?
DNA profiling, also called forensic DNA analysis, is a process of creating a unique DNA profile of each individual for different purposes, such as to verify family links. Moreover, it’s also widely used in official use cases, such as court-admissible genetic evidence, and in family reunification cases.
This DNA profile is then stored in the huge database with other DNA profiles. Lab experts can use this information later to confirm the biological relationships, identify criminals, reunite lost family members, etc.
Applications of DNA Profiling
DNA profiling contains several applications for the diverse use cases of individuals:
- Law Enforcement – DNA profiling is widely used by law enforcement agencies to analyze the DNA evidence gathered from crime scenes. It helps officers to build a pattern of the crime, which further helps them to apprehend the perpetrators.
- Relationship Testing – A DNA profile is also used to determine the family relationships for personal peace of mind of the members. These tests are solely for confirming the biological family connections.
- Legal Disputes – Such instances involve court-related matters like child custody, child support, and property inheritance.
- Ancestry Testing – Enthusiastic individuals interested in finding the origin of their ancestors often go after this test to have their paternal and maternal lineage analyzed. It provides a details overview of where the ancestors lived, along with their migration patterns.
- Cell Line Authentication Process – This process is utilized by lab-based researchers to confirm whether the cell line of interest they’re working with is correctly identified. It ensures the reliability and accuracy of their research on a certain disease, medicine, or vaccine.
- Organ Transplant DNA Test – As per THOA 2014, a DNA testing procedure is mandatory to confirm the family link between the living donor and the recipient. This makes sure that the organ transplantation process follows the legal and ethical guidelines.
- Non-Invasive Prenatal Paternity Test – This test establishes the paternity of an unborn child with the alleged father. For this procedure, a safe and painless method is utilized. Also, this test doesn’t involve the process of knowing the gender of the fetus.
DNA Profiling Process
Initially, the DNA sample from the person is extracted using a buccal/cheek swab method. The lab expert rubs the cotton swab on the inside of the cheek walls to obtain the epithelial cells. It’s a non-invasive and safe procedure.
Then, the experts in the lab extract DNA from the obtained epithelial cell sample. After the DNA extraction, multiple copies of the STRs (Short Tandem Repeats) are created for different regions of the DNA. Such regions contain the unique and repetitive DNA sequences, which are found to be similar only in two genetically related individuals.
Is DNA Profiling 100% Accurate?
DNA profiling doesn’t give a score of 100%. However, it can go up to 99.99%, which is enough to be certain about the biological relationships between individuals.
Types of DNA Profiling
This process involves the following types for different needs:
- Standard Profiling
In this type of DNA profiling, only 13-20 specific regions of the DNA are analyzed. It’s a standard test utilized in various use cases, such as peace of mind, legal disputes, and sponsored immigration cases. The report of this is admissible in the honorable courts and immigration authorities.
- Extended Genetic Profile
This test involves a similar process to standard profiling. However, this test focuses on more than 50 specific regions of the DNA. For this reason, it’s known to be the most accurate DNA test as it involves a deeper analysis of the DNA samples to find the potential genetic match.
- Y Chromosome Analysis
It involves the analysis of the Y chromosome, which is passed down from fathers to sons, and remains unchanged for generations. It’s widely used to find the origin of the paternal lines of an interested individual. It can find the locations where the forefathers lived and their migration paths throughout the centuries.
- Mitochondrial DNA
This test examines the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is passed down from mothers to all of their children. Since both genders inherit this DNA, they can go for this test to have their maternal lineage analyzed. It can trace the maternal roots from hundreds to thousands of years, along with the migration patterns of the foremothers.
How Much Does a DNA Cost in India?
There’s no fixed price for DNA profiling because each test has its own unique requirements. Besides, there are several metrics that are considered before finalizing the cost of a DNA test. Such metrics are:
- Number of Individuals Involved – The more the number of individuals in a DNA test, the higher its cost will be. For instance, in a paternity test, only the father and the child are involved. But in a paternity trio DNA test, the mother is also included. This significantly impacts the cost of a DNA test.
- Purpose of the Test – A peace of mind test costs less as it doesn’t involve any legal and paperwork formalities. However, an official test, such as for court-admissible biological evidence, involves some additional formalities, which result in a higher cost.
- Special Procedures – Tests like GPS Origins (ancestry) and non-invasive prenatal paternity test cost more. It’s because they involve the extensive analysis of a DNA sample to generate accurate results.
- Express Delivery of Report – Labs offer express delivery of the final report in emergency and urgent cases at an additional cost. It can deliver the final report within 24-48 hours of testing. The usual time for the final report is around 4-5 business days.
The Chain of Custody Procedure in Official DNA Tests
In special cases, the embassy, and for court-admissible evidence, a DNA test is conducted under a strict chain of custody procedure. In this process, the DNA samples from the individuals involved in the test are collected under the watch of an official.
The official continues to monitor the process until the DNA samples are securely sealed to prevent contamination and tampering. Moreover, the final report of this test is directly sent to the official who requested the test. In this case, the reports aren’t sent to the tested parties to maintain he privacy and confidentiality of the report.
Why Choose DNA Forensics Laboratory for DNA Profiling?
DNA Forensics Laboratory, also called DFL, is one of the reliable and trustworthy labs to provide an accurate DNA profiling test. Besides, we also offer diverse DNA testing services, such as peace of mind, legal disputes, and sponsored immigration matters. Moreover, DFL is the only private DNA testing company in India whose DNA test reports are legally admissible in the honorable courts of law.
Reasons to trust DNA Forensics Pvt. Ltd. –
- Accredited by NABL
- Competitive DNA test cost
- Team of highly-trained experts.
- 400+ sample collection centers worldwide.
- Privacy and confidentiality of the reports and customers.
Call us at +91 8010177771 or send a message on WhatsApp at +91 9266615552 to consult with our experts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is DNA profiling used for?
Ans: A DNA profile is used for diverse purposes, such as to confirm biological family connections for peace of mind, legal matters, and to sponsor immigration.
Q2. How is DNA profiling used in paternity tests?
Ans: First, the samples from the father and the child are collected, and then lab experts compare them to find the potential genetic match between them.
Q3. What can a DNA profile tell you?
Ans: A DNA profile can tell if the two individuals are genetically related. Moreover, it can also help reunite the lost family members with each other. A DNA profile of an unborn child can determine the prenatal paternity.
Q4. What is the most common type of DNA profiling?
Ans: A standard profiling is the most common type of DNA profiling, which looks at 13-20 regions of the DNA markers to determine the biological links.
Q5. What are the three applications of DNA profiling?
Ans: Some common applications of DNA profiling are Relationship Testing, Legal Disputes, and Sponsored Immigration.
Q6. Is DNA profiling legal in India?
Ans: Absolutely. DNA profiling is widely utilized in legal use cases to generate court-admissible genetic evidence of family ties.
Q7. How long does DNA profiling take?Ans: DNA profiling can take from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the type and the needs of the individuals.
