DNA FINGERPRINTING

BY INSIYA TALWARI
 What is DNA Fingerprinting?

• DNA fingerprinting is a method used to

identify living things based on samples of their
DNA.

• Instead of looking at the whole sequence of a

person’s DNA, these techniques look at the
presence or absence of common markers that
can be quickly and easily identified.

• DNA fingerprinting was invented in 1984 by

Professor Sir Alec Jeffreys.
 How it works
• On average, about 99.9 per cent of the DNA
between two humans is the same. 

• The remaining percentage is what makes us

unique

• This means that there are around three

million base pairs that are different between
two people. These differences can be compared
and used to help distinguish you from
someone else.
 Repetitive DNA
• Minisatellites are short sequences (10-60 base
pairs long) of repetitive DNA that show
greater variation from one person to the next
than other parts of the genome.
• A satellite DNA showing high degree of
variation (polymorphism) called as Variable
Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) is used as
a probe after being radio-labelled.
• DNA fingerprinting is a technique that
simultaneously detects lots of minisatellites in
the genome to produce a pattern unique to an
individual. This is a DNA fingerprint.
Gene Polymorphism
• A combination of the Greek words poly and morph (multiple and form),
polymorphism is a term used in genetics to describe multiple forms of a single gene
that exists in an individual or among a group of individuals.
• In polymorphisms, there are two or more equally acceptable alternatives. To be
classified as a polymorphism, the least common allele must have a frequency of at
least 1% in the population. If the frequency is lower than this, the allele is regarded
as a mutation.
• Polymorphisms could be not just single-letter changes like a C instead of T. They
could also be something more elaborate, like a whole stretch of DNA, that is either
present or absent.
• Satellite DNA sequences show high degree of Polymorphism and form the basis of
DNA fingerprinting.
 DNA Fingerprinting Technique

Step 1: Isolation of DNA

Step 2: Digestion of DNA by restriction endonucleases

This yields thousands of DNA fragments of all different sizes because the base sequences being cut
may be far apart(long fragment) or close together (short fragment).

Step 3: Fragments are separated on the basis of size using a process called gel electrophoresis.

Step 4: A radioactive material is added which combines with the DNA fragments to produce a fluorescent
image

Step 5: A photographic copy of the DNA band is

obtained

Step 6: The pattern of fragment distribution is then

analyzed and PCR is used to increase the sensitivity of this
technique
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkBUriMK9u8
DNA Sources for forensic applications
Applications of DNA Fingerprinting
• Paternity testing

• Determining population and genetic

diversities

• To diagnose inherited disorders

• Forensic science

• To study human lineage

Famous cases involving DNA evidence
 Colin Pitchfork was the first criminal caught on the basis of DNA
fingerprinting evidence.

 In 2002, Elizabeth Hurley used DNA profiling to prove that Steve Bing
was the father to her child.

 Tommie Lee Andrews was the first person in the United States to be

convicted as a result of DNA evidence.

 O. J Simpson was cleared of charge in 1994 which relied heavily on DNA

evidence.
 QUIZ
1. Name:
• Pattern of DNA fragments obtained by examining a person’s unique sequence of DNA pairs
• A molecule labelled with radioactive isotope, dye or enzyme used to locate a particular
sequence or gene
• A method of separating molecules, such as DNA based on their electrical charge and size
2. VNTR stands for _______________
3. With reference to the figure, which suspect should be
charged with the crime?
4. __________ sequence shows high degree of polymorphism
5. The sensitivity of DNA fingerprinting technique has been increased by
the use of ___________
6 A mutation is considered as polymorphism only when the frequency of each allele is at least
__________%.
THANK YOU