askvity

Is DNA 100% Accurate?

Published in Forensic science 1 min read

No, DNA analysis is not 100% accurate. While it is highly reliable and considered a gold standard in forensic science, there are instances where errors can occur.

  • Human error: Mistakes during the collection, handling, or analysis of DNA samples can lead to inaccurate results.
  • Contamination: External DNA from other sources can contaminate a sample, leading to a false positive.
  • Limited database: Ancestry DNA tests may not have a comprehensive database, which can limit the accuracy of ethnicity estimations.
  • Technical limitations: Some DNA testing methods might have inherent limitations, like the inability to detect rare mutations.

Even though DNA evidence is highly accurate, it's important to remember that it's not infallible.

Related Articles