Dna Fingerprinting Research Paper

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DNA fingerprinting is a method where a collection of fragments of DNA found at a crime scene are used to match other fragments of DNA. It is used in crime cases when visual identification is not available and aids in determining whether the suspect is present at the crime scene or not by using bodily fluid (saliva) or blood found at the crime scene. It can also identify the victim whose body is disfigured. The concept that everyone has different genetic code except for identical twins is really important in DNA fingerprinting. However, there could be one in sixty-four billion chance that two unrelated entities share the same genetic code. DNA fingerprinting is consists of many common procedures: RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) utilizes special restriction enzymes to cut portions of the extracted DNA and focuses on repeating sequences of the DNA bases that differs from each individual. Electrophoresis separates the DNA and measures the portions by length. Autoradiography produces an x-ray of the results after the portions are sorted. The scientists then determine the criminal by overlapping the crime scene’s x-ray to the suspect’s x-ray. STR Test looks at the DNA portions and counts the number of repeats of different DNA sites. Polymerase Chain Reaction utilizes at least fifty molecules to creates multiple copies of the DNA arrangement and forms usable DNA fragments just from a single human hair. There could be one in several billion chances that it can lead to misidentification of a suspect even when DNA fingerprinting may be precise on the criminal’s identification. DNA fingerprinting is highly used due to its many advantages. …show more content…
Firstly, footprints, blood, hair strand, and saliva are adequate to determine the criminal or victim, making DNA fingerprinting less invasive. Secondly, just from blood, hair, and saliva, DNA can be achieved than to extract blood from someone who is uncomfortable to do so or is not present at the crime scene. Thirdly, it can effectively reduce wrongful convictions of innocent people because DNA is highly accurate since it is not easy to be tampered with. Fourthly, it is an easier process to solve crimes either from the past or recently in a short amount of time. It usually takes several days to analyze the DNA samples. Lastly, it is useful in criminal cases where the victim is disfigured or when there is no visual representation of the criminal. A single hair or a drop of blood is enough to identify who they are. DNA fingerprinting may be highly used in crime cases, but it has some flaws to it. Firstly, some people consider it to be a violation of the privacy law. Not everyone is comfortable about their DNA information being gathered. There are some people who are cautious about having their DNA information collected as it could violate their privacy. There are times when innocent individuals may be forced to have their DNA gathered. Secondly, once the DNA information is stored in the database, there is no possible way of removing it. Thirdly, it raises concerns from critics due to the access of the DNA database by businesses and organizations such as health care providers, insurance carriers, and some employers. Some people are not comfortable that a stranger has access to their DNA’s identity. Furthermore, it can be used in a false way to imprison innocents. Hair strands and saliva can be easily gathered. The DNA profiles can be of innocent people who just happen to be there at

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