While Justice Kennedy agreed that DNA sampling constituted a search of an arrestee's body, he said he considered it a minor intrusion.

WSJ: Supreme Court: Police Can Take DNA Samples in Arrests

For now, looks like the courts are on the side of DNA sampling being part of a reasonable search and seizure.

FORBES: Criminal DNA databases get a constitutional stamp of approval

The two companies aim to help gene researchers quickly sift through the massive amounts of DNA data and medical record information in search of crucial genetic variations that can increase the risk of everything from heart disease to diabetes.

FORBES: IBM Signs Deal With DeCode Genetics

Modern DNA-based techniques are now helping to refine the search.

WSJ: Intelligence Changes Linked to Genes

The search comes amid US media reports that investigators are analysing female DNA found on a piece of the pressure-cooker bombs used in the attacks.

BBC: Tsarnaev widow's family home searched by FBI

Experts say other evidence -- including battle wounds and signs of scoliosis, or curvature of the spine, found during the search and the more than four months of tests since support the DNA findings.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Actual genes are buried in stretches of what appear to be gibberish DNA. Picking them out is a bit like finding the words in a word-search game.

FORBES: Magazine Article