DNA Fingerprinting (called as Forensic Genetic Fingerprinting) is the comparison of the DNA of a suspected person with the biological matter found at the crime scene. The current method of DNA profiling uses PCR based STRs. It can be said that the DNA Profiling had evolved from the 2 key breakthroughs in molecular biology that occurred around 1985: (a) the ‘eureka’ moment - Dr. Alec Jeffrey and (b) PCR invention - Dr. Kary Mullis in 1985. The very first case of the method was in March 1985. The stages of history of DNA Profiling are: 1. Multi Locus Profiling method (MLP); 2. Single Locus Profiling method (SLP), 3. PCR based Microsatellites/ STR and 4. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP). The future of DNA Profiling has: (a) The ‘lab on a chip’ or a ‘sci-fi’ vision; (b) on-site DNA analysis; (c) NGS based technology and (d) hands free ‘swab in-profile out’ method.
Author:
Ms. Muskan Mehra
AFRS Student Ambassador
