Final answer:
Forensic scientists compare DNA sequences from a known and a suspect sample to determine if they match. This technique is used in paternity testing and linking crime scene evidence to suspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Forensic scientists use the process of comparison to determine if a suspect sample and a known sample match. This crucial step is involved in various forensic analyses, such as DNA profiling. By comparing DNA sequences from a known source with an unknown sample, the scientists can ascertain whether both samples are similar. This comparison can involve analyzing the sequence of bases in strands of an unknown sample of DNA or RNA. For example, in paternity tests, technicians use this process to determine if a man is the father of a child by comparing DNA sequences. Similarly, forensic geneticists can use these techniques to determine if a sample from a crime scene, like blood or skin cells, contains DNA that matches that of a suspect.