DNA fingerprinting, also known as genetic fingerprinting or DNA profiling is a method used to identify a specific individual. DNA or Deoxyribonucleic Acid can be said to be that ingredient that makes a person’s entire genetic makeup. During a person’s lifespan this DNA substance does not change. Forensic scientists concur that a persons DNA is similar whether found in his skin tissue, sweat, bone, the root and shaft of hair, ear wax, mucus, urine, semen as well as vaginal or rectal cells among others. It is done in the understanding that it is rare to find two people with similar cell information (Bajpai, 1991).
DNA fingerprinting is done through collecting a small sample of cells from biological evidential substances and comparing it to a DNA profile prepared from an individual. This can be done through various methods including Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) as well as PCR analysis on DNA from the mitochondria of the cell among others. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) uses its ability to have the biological evidence broken down into million parts via a technique referred to as PCR amplification. This enables the DNA evidence to be amplified into small quantities (Bajpai, 1991).
DNA fingerprinting is used to determine the parents of a person i.e. establish paternity. The technology is noted for its importance in identifying the parents of babies that are switched off during birth. This technology is also used as a method to identify the guilty and exonerating the innocent in criminal justice system by forensic scientists. More over the technology is also used to identify a body in circumstances where the body has seriously decomposed or where only body parts are available, such as following a natural disaster or battle. Thus in conclusion DNA fingerprinting is used to determine whether a family relationship exists between two people, to identify organisms causing a disease, and also to solve crimes (Bajpai, 1991).
Though DNA is an advanced process it has also some limitations, the sample collected from the DNA can be easily ruined as they are able to be contaminated easily. Another barrier to DNA is that it involves very complicated procedures and sometimes the juror finds the proof invisible. DNA is also unable to show that a specific animal was carrier of a certain disease.
References
Prokop A, Bajpai (1991), Recombinant DNA Technology and Application, Newyork McGraw–Hill Publishers.