It can also reveal information about your family.
Most labs use nucleic analysis, which uses DNA taken from the cell nucleus.
But in 1996 the FBI set up a forensic lab to do mitochondrial analysis using the more plentiful DNA found outside the nucleus. The procedure is less precise. When mitochondrial DNA is tested, your profile is usually identical to that of your mother, siblings, and grandmother. Relatives could be unfairly targeted by police if that form of genetic testing becomes widespread. The US National Academy of Sciences in 1990 recommended that all samples be destroyed promptly after analysis.