DNA Fingerprinting

DNA fingerprinting is a method that compares the fragments of DNA. DNA fingerprinting was first invented to detect the presence of genetic diseases. Today, DNA fingerprinting is used in different ways. DNA is analyzed using a Southern Blot, which allows scientists to observe the base pair patterns.

DNA fingerprinting can be used in a few different ways. First, to find out if the child belongs to a person DNA fingerprinting may be used. When a child is born, it inherits the VNTR's from the father and the mother. VNTR's are variable number tandem repeats, which is repeated sequences of base pairs. The VNTR patterns are used to determine the father or mother. Next, DNA fingerprinting allows the police to figure out who the criminal is. This is done by the DNA that was contracted out of the evidence (hair, blood, skin cell, etc.)

English: VNTR allelic length variation among 6 ind...

DNA gel electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis, in this case used to separate...

that was left at the crime scene is compared to the VNTR of possible suspects. Lastly, DNA fingerprinting can be used to correctly identify a person. Even though this is not a major way of identifying a person only because of the work and money it would cost to keep individual's fingerprint on file would be unrealistic, but may take place sometime in the future. People are identified today mostly by social security cards, picture ID's, or something in that matter.

DNA fingerprinting is made by the method called the Southern Blot, which is a way that examines the genetic patterns that are in an individual's DNA. First, in a Southern Blot, the DNA has to be removed from the rest of the material in the nucleus. Next, restriction enzymes cut the DNA into different size pieces and then the pieces are separated by size during...