Constant progress in the field of DNA analysis leads to the development of new methods and technologies that consequently find their application in the field of forensic science. This paper presents a brief overview of massively parallel sequencing technologies and rapid DNA analysis and their application in forensics. The potential of applying massively parallel sequencing methods is seen in the analysis of challenging samples, such as degraded samples or mixtures, and the ability to simultaneously analyze autosomal markers, mitochondrial DNA and sex chromosome markers in a single test. Also, methods of massively parallel sequencing are useful in SNP analysis for predicting phenotypic characteristics and in microbiome analysis and thus potentially opening up new possibilities in forensic investigations and forensic human identification. On the other hand, rapid DNA analysis provides an improvement in terms of the speed of obtaining a genetic profile. Rapid DNA analysis could also potentially be useful outside laboratories at places like police stations, border crossings, and in scenarios such as human trafficking or mass disasters. Although the potential of using these methods in forensic science is evident, before their implementation in routine forensic work it is necessary to consider numerous factors and overcome many challenges in order for them to meet the standards of the profession.