DNA PROFILING

Introduction
● DNA profiling – the process of determining an individual’s DNA characteristics
● How does it work?
○ Uses repetitive sequences of DNA called variable number random repeats (VNTR) or short tandem
repeats (STR)
○ To identify, the forensic scientists scan 13 DNA region (loci) & create a DNA profile for that individual
(DNA fingerprint)
○ There’s a very slim chances to that another individual has the same DNA profile for a specific set of 13
locis

Method
● Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) Analysis
○ Isolation
○ Quantization
○ Digestion
○ Electrophoresis
○ Transfer
○ Hybridisation
○ Autoradiography
● Short Tandem Repeat (STR) Analysis
● Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Analysis
○ Isolation
○ Amplification
■ Denaturation
■ Annealing – primers
■ Extension
○ Detection

Medicolegal Importance of DNA Profiling

● Criminal cases
● Immigration cases
● Identification of paternity
● Zygosity determination in twins

FINGERPRINTS
Introduction
● Fingerprints – impression of patterns formed by the papillary ridges on the bulbs of fingers
○ Difference from the skin covering the rest of the body
■ Hairless, has no oil glands or pigments
■ Has papillary ridges, arranged in specific pattern → causing uniqueness
■ Higher concentration of sweat glands – contribute mainly to the fingerprint residues
● Dactylography – the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification
○ Also known as: dermatoglyphic
○ Dactyloscopy
○ Galton system
○ Fingerprint study
Basic formation in a fingerprint

Types of fingerprints at the crime scene

Visible Plastic Latent Elimination

Occur when the fingers Prints left on soft Impression not usually Prints of those people who
have been coated with materials e.g. wax, soap, visible had access to the item or
blood, grease, dirt or dust Made visible by chemical area
dust leaving prints on the agents
weapon used for the crime Can be preserved by lifting
that may be touched by the them up on an
criminal adhesive/gum tape
Can also be found on
highly reflective surfaces

Methods of developing latent fingerprints

● Non-porous/ Smooth/ Hard/ Non-absorbent surface
○ Commonly using powder type
■ Powder
● Black
● White
● Magnetic powder
■ Fuming
● Cyanoacrylate fuming method (super glue method)
● Iodine fuming method
○ Use a darker fingerprint powder on a light surface and lighter coloured powder on a darker surface
● Porous/ soft e.g. cardboard or paper
○ Using chemicals
■ Chemical
● Ninhydrin
 ● Silver nitrate

Most common method in developing latent fingerprints:

- Dusting a smooth or non-porous surface with fingerprint powder (black granular, aluminium flake, black
magnetic, etc.

Advantages of fingerprint
● It is applicable to persons of all ages
● It can be obtained even after peeling of epidermis due to putrefaction or immersion (presents also in dermis)
● Absolute identification is possible
● No special training or expensive instruments are necessary
● The print can be transmitted from one place to another by a code message

Medicolegal Importance of Fingerprinting

● Identification – an accurate method in establishing identity
○ 2 humans cannot share the same fingerprints – preventing impersonation
● Identifying chance impression of criminal suspects through presence of those visible/latent/plastic fingerprints
around the crime scene
● Fingerprints can also be obtained from a dead body
● To maintain identity records of habitual offender
● Preventing accidental exchange of newborn
● DNA profiling/ fingerprinting