The first conviction based upon DNA was a 1987 rape case. In 1990 the government created CODIS, a combined database with DNA information. Today they access that database on Hawaii-50, CSI and other crime and entertainment shows.

What many people don't understand is that DNA evidence can easily exclude people from being considered as a person of interest in a crime. Thuis is similar to blood tests. A blood test showing a blood type of A on an item could exclude someone with an blood type of B.

DNA tests are not all that expensive, depending upon what you are looking for. For example, you can test the parental DNA of a dog for around $50. What you would do is swab your dogs mouth and send the swab off. The result would be a color chart with codes. You compare the codes to the parentage chart of a suspected father dog and there you go.

You might also perform a DNA test to find if there is suseptablity to disease or other medical issue. This us useful for both animals and humans.

As for dogs, there now is a company that is performing a "poop" DNA test so that people like Condo owners can determine which dog pooped and it was not picked up. Although you laugh at this idea, it could have very valid use under different circumstances. I watch TV court shows and there are many cases where a dog attacks someone and then the dog runs off. If you can capture saliva or poop from a "perp" dog, it could be compared to a suspect dog for a court case.

So when someone tells you that DNA tests have "Gone to the dogs", you can say "That idea is full of ****"