DNA Fingerprinting

DNA - The Molecule

!! Three billion bases in human DNA !! 99% of DNA is identical among individuals !! 1% contains significant variation !! Each persons DNA Profile is unique
!! Except Identical Twins

DNA Fingerprints
DNA Fingerprinting can be used to:
1.! Trace the inheritance of genetic disorders 2.! Identify the origin of a blood, semen, or saliva sample in a criminal investigation 3.! Establish paternity or maternity

First DNA fingerprint preformed in 1987 in England Was first used in a case in the US IN 1988 99.9% accurate

Polymerase Chain Reaction

Amplify the amount of DNA by PCR: 1.! Separate strands of DNA - Heat 2.! Add primers to the single strands 3.! Add polymerase and free nucleotides 4.! Two new DNA molecules are formed

Polymorphisms
!! A polymorphism is a variation !! Every 1,000 bases inherited there is one variation !! variations allow the DNA to be cut into different sized fragments !! RFLP- Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms

RFLP
Steps of making an RFLP: 1.! Add a restriction enzyme to cut the DNA into fragments - Exact number and size of fragments produced varies from person to person 2.! Fragments are separated by electrophoresis 3.! The smaller fragments travel further than the large fragments 4.! This creates a DNA Fingerprint

Variable Numbers of Tandem Repeats (VNTR)

!! Most of the DNA in a chromosome does not code for a gene !! These regions contain sequences that repeat from 20-100 times (exGTCAGTCAGTCAGTCA) !! There are several known variations of the Short Tandem Repeats (STR) in humans
!! Ex.- HUMTH01 (repeating AATG) has seven different variations

Example of STR

VNTR
!! Scientists can look at 4-6 different STRs in the same person !! The more STRs identified the higher the probability of a match !! VNTR is more commonly used than RFLP

Advantages of VNTR
1.! Less complex patterns in gel 2.! STRs are less likely to degrade
!! !! Less than 400 base pairs In the middle of the chromosome

3.! Can be used on stains that old or have been exposed to decomposition

Mitochondrial DNA

!! DNA in the mitochondria !! Inherited maternally !! Forensic Casework

!! Analyze sample materials that are not suitable for nuclear DNA !! Test hair strands without the root !! Test highly degraded tissue !! Test skeletal remains

Problems with mtDNA

!! Used for determining maternal relationships only !! Results take up to two months to complete !! The specific tested alleles cannot be compared against standard tested alleles !! Exclusions are 100%, Inclusions are 95%.

Combined DNA Index System (CODIS)

!! The FBIs DNA database !! Built from the databases of states that collect DNA samples from convicted offenders 1991 - Minnesota was the first state to match a DNA sample from the scene of a crime with a sample on file in a database. MD collects samples from all convicted felons and some misdemeanor crimes All states require DNA from sexual offenders