also called DNA fingerprinting is a forensic technique to identify individuals by characteristics of the DNA. Since every individual has unique DNA small variations can be used to uniquely identify them. Modern process developed in 1984 by Sir Alec jeffreys
Process
Take sample of individual buccal swab, blood, saliva, semen
Analysis.
Restriction fragment length polymorphism. RFLP
DNA fragments created using restriction enzymes
Gel electrophoresis
Southern blotting and radiolabeled
Xray analysis to analyse the bands
Short tandem repeat analysis. STR
Unrelated people have different repeated sequences
STR loci are targeted with sequence-specific primers and amplified using PCR.
The probe DNA fragments are seperated and detected using electrophoresis.
Uses
Paternity test
Criminal identification
Personal identification during disasters for aircraft crash
Diagnosis of inherited disease
Genealogy and medical research
Concerns
Method not always full proof
Deeply private information and requires consent of person
Recent DNA profiling bill 2018 creates mechanism to collect DNA. Data Bank. Regulatory board. Certified labs. Using it in justice system.