What are DNA ‘fingerprints’?

DNA ‘fingerprints’ are signature pieces of DNA that are specific to an individual, and therefore, can be used to identify a person.

DNA Fingerprinting | Genetics | Biology | FuseSchool

Nearly every cell in the human body contains DNA. While almost all of the human DNA sequence is identical to every other person on the planet, 0.1% of it is unique to the individual. This 0.1% equates to roughly three million base pairs and the unique patterns amongst these base pairs distinguish an individual from another.

In 1980, minisatellites were first discovered, these are short sequences of repetitive DNA that vary greatly between individuals, differences in short 10-60 base pairs long sequences have subsequently formed the basis of DNA fingerprinting.

How DNA fingerprinting works

To implement DNA fingerprinting, a sample of DNA is required, which can be provided in the form of blood, cheek swabs, saliva, other bodily fluids, and sometimes hair.

There are several methods of DNA fingerprinting using either polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction fragment length polymerization (RFLP), amplified fragment length polymorphism (ampFLP), and investigation of short tandem repeats (STR). Most recently there has been the development of next-generation sequencing which may also be used.

In brief, RFLP uses restriction enzymes to fragment the DNA, these act like molecular scissors to cut the DNA strands into much smaller pieces. Gel electrophoresis then separates the fragments in order of their size.

The fragments are tagged with a radioactive marker and visualized using x-rays to produce an autoradiograph.

PCR amplifies the regions of interest in the DNA and can be used to identify samples from the same individual. AmpFLP is a combination of both RFLP and PCR. STR investigates the DNA at 13 specific sites for the number of repeats present.

NGS uses DNA fragments, sequences these with a direct readout eliminating the need for further detection methods.

Why is DNA fingerprinting useful?

There are several major applications of DNA fingerprinting. Most notably in forensic investigations for a variety of reasons such as; confirming the identity of a body, implicating a perpetrator in a crime, or clearing a suspect.

DNA evidence can often be the essential piece of evidence that leads to a conviction of a crime. DNA evidence has also been instrumental in exonerating innocent people who had been incarcerated for crimes they did not commit.

The first case of DNA exoneration in the US took place in 1989 and since then, according to the Innocence Project, a total of 367 people have been exonerated due to DNA evidence, and a total of 162 actual assailants have been identified and incarcerated.

Another important use of DNA fingerprinting is in determining the relationship of one person to another. In order to establish paternity, confirm relative's parents of adopted children within family disputes and family law and to establish familial relationships to settle cases of inheritance.

DNA fingerprinting has a variety of benefits within medicine. Currently, DNA fingerprinting is used to compare patients awaiting transplants with potential donors to find appropriate genetic matches. DNA fingerprinting is being used to develop personalized treatments for patients with cancer, an area that is expected to show continued advancements.

References:

  • Debeljak, M., Freed, D. N., Welch, J. A., Haley, L., Beierl, K., Iglehart, B. S., ... & Pevsner, J. (2014). Haplotype counting by next-generation sequencing for ultrasensitive human DNA detection. The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 16(5), 495-503.
  • Dolf, G. (2013). DNA fingerprinting: approaches and applications (Vol. 58). Birkhäuser
  • Roewer, L. (2013). DNA fingerprinting in forensics: past, present, future. Investigative Genetics, 4(1), p.22.
  • Vos, P., Hogers, R., Bleeker, M., Reijans, M., Lee, T. V. D., Hornes, M., ... & Zabeau, M. (1995). AFLP: a new technique for DNA fingerprinting. Nucleic acids research, 23(21), 4407-4414.
  • Weber, J. L. (1990). Human DNA polymorphisms and methods of analysis. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 1(2), 166-171.
  • West, E., & Meterko, V. (2015). Innocence Project: DNA exonerations, 1989-2014: a review of data and findings from the first 25 years. Alb. L. Rev., 79, 717.
  • Yang, Y., Xie, B., & Yan, J. (2014). Application of next-generation sequencing technology in forensic science. Genomics, proteomics & bioinformatics, 12(5), 190-197.

Further Reading

Last Updated: Apr 8, 2021

Sarah Moore

Written by

Sarah Moore

After studying Psychology and then Neuroscience, Sarah quickly found her enjoyment for researching and writing research papers; turning to a passion to connect ideas with people through writing.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Moore, Sarah. (2021, April 08). What are DNA ‘fingerprints’?. AZoLifeSciences. Retrieved on December 08, 2024 from https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/What-are-DNA-e28098fingerprintse28099.aspx.

  • MLA

    Moore, Sarah. "What are DNA ‘fingerprints’?". AZoLifeSciences. 08 December 2024. <https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/What-are-DNA-e28098fingerprintse28099.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Moore, Sarah. "What are DNA ‘fingerprints’?". AZoLifeSciences. https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/What-are-DNA-e28098fingerprintse28099.aspx. (accessed December 08, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Moore, Sarah. 2021. What are DNA ‘fingerprints’?. AZoLifeSciences, viewed 08 December 2024, https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/What-are-DNA-e28098fingerprintse28099.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of AZoLifeSciences.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Novel DNA-Based Platform for Biomolecular Interactions