The process of DNA testing is a combination of chemical and biological procedures. The end result is a DNA profile from at least 10 different STR locations (loci) on the DNA molecule. The steps are as follows:

1. Sample Obtained from individual (e.g. mother, child and alleged father in a paternity case)

2. DNA extracted from nucleus of cells

3. DNA is amplified at certain STR regions of interest (amplification = copying)

4. The individual STR alleles are separated by size

5. The individual genotypes are determined

6. The genotypes from one individual are compared to another individual (e.g. in a paternity case, the DNA profiles from the child are compared first to the mother and then to the alleged father)

7. If a match occurs, the DNA profile is compared to a population database to determine how common the matching profile is found in the general population

8. A written report is generated and will include a probability of relatedness