Is it possible to have the same DNA as someone not related?

[Intevel]

Can it say that you are a first cousin of someone even if you aren't cousins at all? I mean it can just happen based on luck right? You happen to randomly have the same code.

[msc_44]

Can it say that you are a first cousin of someone even if you aren't cousins at all? I mean it can just happen based on luck right? You happen to randomly have the same code.

Nope doesnt work that way they are your cousins

[KATM]

Intevel, do yourself a favor, and read up on genetic genealogy. It's the best way to prepare yourself to understand and use your DNA testing results, and it is also unlikely that the posters here in the FTDNA forums will answer your many and varied questions to the degree you need. Try these:

• "The Family Tree Guide to DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy," a book by Blaine Bettinger, which has been highly recommended in these forums and other genetic genealogy sites.
• "Beginners Guide to Genetic Genealogy," website by Kelly Wheaton
• "DNAeXplained" blog by Roberta Estes
• The "DNA Newbie" Yahoo! group (must register to join group)
• "Introduction to Molecular Genealogy" animations at Learn.Genetics
• ISOGG's "Genetic genealogy Q&A for beginners"

[Intevel]

Nope doesnt work that way they are your cousins

But what if there's no common ancestor and the DNA jut looked the same based on luck?

[wombat]

But what if there's no common ancestor and the DNA jut looked the same based on luck?

for a really small match and with it not knowing which bit is on which strand, by chance you might get a false match in terms of it would be way, way farther back than predicted

but for a first cousin no way will it happen by random, also keep in mind you are not some random code at each spot, you pretty much get exact chunks from your parents, maybe the odd mutations distantly scattered here and there