Bilogy DNA Fingerprinting Essay - 1116 Words

DNA Fingerprinting When you were born you were given your own DNA. The genetic information you carry is very similar to your parents. Even though you and your parents have very similar DNA you also have genetic differences, one example is your fingerprint no one but yourself will have your unique fingerprint pattern. Police use what is called DNA Fingerprinting to extensively investigate crime scenes. DNA in/on a crime scene can be found through the process of DNA Fingerprinting. Police collect evidence from the crime scene to take in for testing. When the testing is complete the police know who the criminal is by their fingerprint. DNA Fingerprinting has also proven effective with miss person cases. â€Å"The concept of DNA profiling was†¦show more content†¦Scientists and geneticist call this method the Southern blot in honor of the founder of it; Edward Southern a molecular biologist at Oxford University. There are a total of four steps in order to complete the Southern blot process. â€Å"The first step in completing the Southern blot; is the DNA (genomic or other source) is digested with a restriction enzyme and separated by gel electrophoresis, usually an agarose gel.† Then the DNA is transported to a membrane which is a sheet of blotting paper. The DNA fragments retain the same pattern of separation they had on the gel.† The blot is then incubated (to maintain at a favorable temperature and in other conditions promoting development) with many copies of a probe. The probe will then form base pairs with its complementary DNA sequence. The final step in the Southern blot process is to find the location of the probe which has been incubating with a colorless substrate that the attached enzyme converts to a colored product; this will give off a light which will expose X-ray film. If the probe is labeled with radioactivity, it can expose X-ray film directly (Southern Blot Method). DNA Fingerprinting has improved considerably from when it was first invented. DNA Fingerprinting is however not perfected; the use of it in the courtrooms is still controversial. â€Å"Lawyers who misrepresent the results of DNA fingerprints may confuse jurors† (DNA Fingerprinting). A famous example from the