Question

Describe a situation in which a DNA test performed on human remains provides interesting or helpful information.

Short answer

A DNA test performed on human remains provides interesting or helpful information in various ways. A notable example is in the case of disasters like the September 11 attacks, where DNA testing played a crucial role in identifying the victims by analyzing the DNA from the remains.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding DNA testing

First, let's understand what a DNA test is. A DNA test involves analyzing a person's DNA, which is unique to each individual. This is often done by obtaining a sample of a person's body tissue or fluid, such as hair, skin, blood, or saliva. In this context, it means testing samples recovered from human remains.

Recognize the importance of DNA testing

DNA testing can provide a lot of helpful information. It can help identify individuals, determine relatedness among individuals, and also provide information about a person's genetic heritage or susceptibility to certain diseases. In cases of human remains, it can help in forensics, anthropology, archaeology, and other fields.

Describe a situation

Now let's describe a specific situation. A good example is the use of DNA testing in identifying victims of a disaster. For instance, after the devastating September 11 attacks in 2001, DNA testing was used extensively to identify the remains of victims. The process, although slow and painstaking, was necessary because the intense heat and pressure of the explosions at the World Trade Center had made it difficult to identify remains in other ways.