The Y chromosome is unique in that it is passed almost always unchanged from father to son, and therefore it can be used to indicate the paternal line. The males in a paternal line have very similar Y-DNA results and allow us to track ancestry based on a DNA fingerprint for a specific branch of the family surname. The Y-chromosome is not present in females and is unique among all the other chromosomes that it is never combined with a female counterpart.

Our project is trying to determine the various branches of the Winslow family. Since we are trying to define the branches and determine with some accuracy when the common relative lived, more markers are needed. More markers help us narrow in on which generations The Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) is likely. If you exactly match someone using 12 markers you almost certainly share a common ancestor. However, the number of generations back to the common ancestor is very difficult to tell.

DNA testing is being used by genealogist to assist in confirming relationships. There are basically two types of DNA tests available for genealogical testing: the Y-chromosome (Y-DNA) test and the mitochondrial (mtDNA) test. Everyone has mtDNA but only females pass it on to their children making it good for testing the female line (mother to daughter to daughter to daughter etc.). However, the Winslow Family Y-DNA project is interested in tracing the Winslow surname at this time.

The answer will vary for each individual. For a man with a distinctive DNA profile who matches into the Winslow family profiles already established, the result can be quite useful, as it can confirm his family and leave only the question of which members are his actual direct ancestors. For the man whose result matches multiple Winslow branches, the result can be ambiguous. For the man who fails to match any other participant, the result can be quite frustrating.

Cases were identified in which the HPD Crime Lab DNA section originally processed evidence which led to a conviction or pleading of a defendant. These cases were reviewed and available evidence was sent to one of three accredited out source DNA Labs for DNA re-testing. To date, only the Josiah Sutton case through more sophisticated DNA re-testing resulted in exclusion.

A Y-DNA match indicates that two males have a common male ancestor. This ancestor could be their father, or it could be a male from a thousand years ago. The quantity of DNA markers that match gives us an indication of how long ago the common relative lived. For more information on DNA and Y-chromosome testing see DNA Information. Although no evidence is ever absolutely certain, the confidence level for a match can be very high.

If a sample’s minor component is male with the major component being female, then Y-STR testing may reveal a male DNA profile. If there are multiple male contributors in a sample, Y-STR testing may help to differentiate the individual contributors.

Many participants' blood samples will be used for genetic (DNA) testing. Some of the most important questions that may be answered by the Sister Study are about relationships between genes and the chance that a woman will get breast cancer. It is important that you know that any analyses using your blood samples will NEVER include information that would identify you personally.

No, the State of Maryland Laboratories Administration does not do any type of forensic DNA or paternity testing.

For purposes of surname genealogy studies, DNA refers to the 23rd chromosome pair. Females have two x chromosomes, while males have one x and one y chromosome. The y chromosome is passed from father to son and is usually identical from father to son. Occasionally, there is a mutation. Over 1000s of years, these mutations have resulted in distinctive DNA profiles or fingerprints for different families. These differences are the focus of DNA testing in genealogy, often called Y-DNA.

DNA (or Deoxyribonucleic Acid) is the genetic material present in every cell of the human body. Every person's DNA is unique (except identical twins), making DNA the most powerful method to identify paternity. Every child receives half of his or her genetic material (DNA) from it's biological mother and half from the biological father. During testing, the genetic characteristics of the child are compared to those of the mother.

DNA paternity testing is the most accurate form of paternity testing possible. If DNA patterns between the child and the alleged father do not match on two or more DNA probes, then the alleged father is 100% excluded. That means he can't be the father. If the DNA patterns between mother, child and the alleged father match on every DNA probe, the likelihood of paternity is >99% or greater! The result is the man has been 'practically proven' to be the biological father of the child.

The State of Louisiana received funding for DNA testing from the Federal government in December, and DNA testing has already begun. The State Department of Health & Hospitals (DHH) and the Louisiana State Police have entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the State Police Crime Laboratory to provide technical oversight and management of the DNA Identification project.

For confirmation or exclusion of identity in forensic or genetic relationship analysis, DNA testing is the most accurate and powerful technology currently available.

If you decide to participate in the study, you will be sent a kit with two plastic swabs. The swabs are rubbed against the cheek inside your mouth to collect buccal cells, and then mailed back to the lab. Markers on the Y-chromosome are analyzed, with a numeric value assigned to each marker. The sets of numbers are then compared to the results from other subjects in the study. The higher the number of matching values, the more likely that both subjects have a common ancestor.

A DNA paternity test compares a child??s DNA pattern with that of the alleged father to prove or disprove their relationship with each other. We apply Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) ?V based analysis of Short Tandem Repeats (STR) of DNA fragments. By comparing the sizes of different STR loci, a unique genetic profile is produced for each tested individual.