Blood is thicker than water

Records from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) show that a common test for discerning close blood relationships was the mixing of drops of blood from both parents and their baby in a bowl of water. If the blood blended, the relationship was confirmed, while separation indicated no relationship.

"That method is neither scientific nor reliable, but modern gene technology gives an accurate answer to questions of blood ties," said Deng Yajun, a DNA test expert at the Zhongzheng Forensic Authentication Institute in Beijing.

Generally speaking, the test has five main phases: registration; taking samples; magnifying the samples; introducing the samples into the testing kit; and finally, the test itself, conducted via machine.