The jury has spoken: O.J. Simpson has been acquitted of the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Scientists are surely wondering what role the DNA matching played in the verdict, given that evidence produced at the trial indicated the odds of someone having all 14 matching DNA bands in the sample of blood collected from the crime scene, as Simpson does, is one in 57 billion.
Although the jury may still be out on the use of DNA testing for forensic purposes, the Government of Canada has adopted a policy to accept DNA matching as a valid proof of a parent/child relationship. Canadian immigration officers are instructed to have the utmost confidence in the sampling and verification procedure when a positive DNA test result is presented as evidence of a relationship.
DNA testing involves the comparison of DNA profiles extracted from blood samples taken from persons claiming to be a natural father, mother or child(ren). For immigration purposes, the test if properly conducted, is considered to be a highly reliable means to certify parentage. This is especially important in the Canadian immigration field, when in the absence of accepted written documentary evidence, one wishes to qualify as a member of the Family Class for the purposes of Sponsorship or to be included as an accompanying dependent child (or as a REMAINING FAMILY MEMBER), on an originating application for Canadian permanent residence.
At present, DNA testing is being carried out in the Canadian Immigration field by the HELIX BIOTECH CORPORATION, a British Columbia based corporation. Applicants who are encouraged and agree to proceed with DNA testing, will be required to adhere to a straightforward procedure which is coordinated by the visa office and where applicable, the local Canada Immigration Center. Readers who wish to obtain additional information in this area are invited to communicate with us.
