GENETIC FINGERPRINTING

Genetic Fingerprinting in paternal testing or forensic science

Abstract

This paper will focus on Genetic fingerprinting also known as DNA profiling which aids the forensic scientist to trace the identification of individuals. DNA profiles are basically encrypted code which combines to form a person's DNA. DNA profiling in this paper is discussed with respect to paternal testing which helps in evaluation of parent - child relationship between two individuals. Genetic Fingerprinting in paternal testing or forensic science

Introduction

Since Charles Darwin's evolution theory, biological science developed immensely. Although for a period of approximately a decade biological science had remained a mystery. The mystery regarding origin, development and extermination has lingered for an extended duration. Genetic studies resolved the very old biological mysteries. A separate scientific branch termed genetic biology began its effort to solve mysteries of existence. The study of genetics revealed the DNA, the fundamental component for inheritance (Lazer & Meyer, 2004).

DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic acid. They reside in every living being and store information on growth and operation. The DNA contains all the information necessary for the development of living beings. Individuals of the same species share much of their DNA sequence, but there are some highly variable regions that are specific to each subject. These areas of the genome are called polymorphism or genetic markers, and are used to identify individuals and two unrelated humans are unlikely to have shared the same genetic markers. The set of polymorphism specific to each person is called a genetic profile.

Genetic fingerprinting helps us recognize the identification of people. That's why when a question of parenthood of a child arises it can be solved by testing the DNA which is 99.9 percent foolproof. Sometimes if a question arises about the legal heir of a deceased person it can be solved by DNA test which is called DNA finger printing. Additional cases have been found in which a person asserted his/her right over an asset with a clause that he/she is the lawful heir of the dead person who was the owner of the property. After the death of a person DNA can be available from his heir or fingernail as DNA does not get decomposed quickly (David & Sensabaugh, 2000).

Discussion

DNA helps forensic experts to locate the identity of individual by using only a small amount of their DNA sample. DNA sequence of any individual consists of more than three billion nucleotides. Usually, the DNA sequences of humans are 99.9% similar to others, whereas, only the rest of 0.1% is unique to that particular individual. As a result, by the exclusion of indistinguishable twins, who have matching DNA patterns, no human being ever has accurately the identical DNA as the other. This inherited uniqueness can be an influential instrument in locating personnel, in much the similar manner as an individual's distinctive fingerprint (Gosline, 2005).

DNA is used in forensics to identify or exonerate suspects through their blood, their saliva, their hair or semen. They also help identify human remains, to paternity tests, to study wildlife populations ...