Medical Genetics Index Glossary

DNA Testing: Introduction and Index

The focus of most criminal investigations is on linking evidence from the crime scene to suspects, and for more than a century, science has played an increasingly important role in this process. Fingerprinting was applied to criminal investigations beginning in the 1880's. Shortly after the principle of ABO blood typing was reported in 1900, its relevance to forensic investigations became apparent. In the 1960's human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing became the premier serologic tool for personal identification, although in practice, it was useful for only a small percentage of samples.

Finally, the 1980's ushered in the age of DNA testing, which permits investigators to perform almost unbelieveable feats of identification. With current techniques, it is possible for a single person to be differentiated from all the people that have ever lived using DNA from a single hair root.

The principles and techniques used for forensic DNA typing are also quite useful for other purposes. DNA profiles are widely used in resolving issues of parentage in man and animals, and are rapidly replacing serologic analysis (i.e. blood typing) for that purpose. Additionally, DNA testing is an indispensible tool for positional cloning, a technique by which a previously unknown gene is identified by finding associations or links between DNA markers and the inheritance of a disease.

Core information on DNA testing is provided as the following topics:

Advanced and supplemental topics related to DNA testing are:

References and Reviews
  • Cornwell, Patricia: All That Remains. Avon Books. 1992 [great forensic fiction, with a fun twist on DNA testing]
Last updated on March 18, 1996
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