Final answer:
Genetic testing and forensic analysis are biological applications that use DNA sequencing to determine familial relationships and to identify individuals in legal contexts. Technicians and forensic geneticists work with blood or saliva samples to detect gene defects or match DNA at crime scenes, influencing medicine, genealogy, and law enforcement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Genetic testing is a powerful tool used in various sectors including medicine, ancestry studies, and notably, in forensic science. Technicians analyze DNA sequences to confirm family relationships, such as paternity, and to identify individuals at crime scenes. For instance, similarities in DNA patterns can reveal if a man is a child's father, or if a suspect's DNA matches biological evidence found at a crime scene.
In medical contexts, genetic testing detects gene defects that could lead to diseases like breast cancer, by analyzing genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, using blood or saliva samples. Forensic geneticists leverage this technology to evaluate tissue samples such as blood or skin cells, checking for a DNA match with a suspect, which is pivotal in solving crimes and legal disputes.