Mitochondrial DNA is used in the legal profession to identify criminals, and to free persons who have been in prison for years, but are not guilty of the crime the justice system said they committed. Mitochondrial DNA tests are different than nuclear DNA tests, which have been used longer, but are not as helpful in some cases. The reason they are not as helpful is because the nuclear tests require the DNA to be fresh. Mitochondrial tests, on the other hand, may use older DNA. In fact, a Mitochondrial DNA test can be used to identify people who have been dead for several years.
Mitochondrial DNA tests have a practical use outside of the court system. These tests can be used to identify whether or not two people are siblings. They can match brother to brother, sister to brother, or sister to sister.
This type of DNA is passed from a mother to her children, both male and female. If you are wondering whether or not you are of Native American or other cultural descent, then this test will also be able to answer that question.
Several years ago, people had to go to the hospital to get any DNA test done. Now, the test can be ordered online or over the phone, and then easily applied at home, although home test results are usually not valid in a court of law.
After you order your test you will be sent some instructions, the test, and a package to return the test in. To take the test, all you have to do is label tubes, and then use a swab to swab the inside of one person’s cheek. You then put the swab into the tube and close it. You would then swab the next person’s cheek, and go through the same process until you are done.
If the cheek swab test doesn’t work, or if you would like another option, then the test can be done on strands of hair. You will need to send in six or seven strands of hair. You will put the strands of hair in an envelope and label them according to whose hair it is.
It usually takes close to one week to get the test results back. The laboratory doing the tests can send information through the mail, e-mail, or fax, or they can call you. You will let them know the best way to get the results back to you when you send in the completed tests.
DNA testing can be costly, especially if you are doing one test. The price is usually well over $500 for one test. Most labs will charge that for one person, then charge a much smaller amount for anyone else included in the test. So if you are testing for five siblings, you may pay over $500 for one test, and add $100 or more for the additional four tests.
Test results are almost 100% accurate and are considered good enough to convict a person of murder. They can be trusted to tell you who your siblings are, or aren’t as the case may be.
By Clint Hunter