But if police store tissue samples, as many now do, the human cells could be re-tested in the future for more information. It's law enforcement. What they would like to do is have markers present. If race is included in the database, Juengst says it could lead to a new form of genetic racism and away from a colorblind society. 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.