Sarah+History+of+DNA+fingerprinting

History of DNA fingerprinting:

Mendel is the person who started to discover that genetic material varies and accounts for specific traits (studied pea plants)

this is a method that is used to distinguish people from each other using DNA it was announced as an invention in 1985 by Alec Jeffrey's genetic fingerprinting involves a process that uses a small section of DNA from a person, the section that is different in everyone, to identify someone it is used to match suspects to crime using blood, saliva..., and is also used to identify remains, and for paternity testing PCR is used to obtain enough DNA for the process

Dr Jeffrey's: examined the VNTRs ( variable number of tandem repeats) in a process that was called restriction fragment length polymorphism or RFLP the process involved the use of a restriction enzyme to cut the regions of the DNA that was surrounding the VNTRs.

the first case solved using DNA was in Portland, Oregon

to find a DNA fingerprint: first they scan 13 different regions of the DNA to create a DNA profile (it is very unlikely that someone else has the same profile)

1992: The Army collects DNA from its troops in order to be able to identify troops killed while fighting

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/elsi/forensics.shtml
 * "Some Examples of DNA Uses for Forensic Identification**
 * Identify potential suspects whose DNA may match evidence left at crime scenes
 * Exonerate persons wrongly accused of crimes
 * Identify crime and catastrophe victims
 * Establish paternity and other family relationships
 * Identify endangered and protected species as an aid to wildlife officials (could be used for prosecuting poachers)
 * Detect bacteria and other organisms that may pollute air, water, soil, and food
 * Match organ donors with recipients in transplant programs
 * Determine pedigree for seed or livestock breeds
 * Authenticate consumables such as caviar and wine"

they can use PCR to gain more of the DNA RFLP: a process that cuts the DNA at certain parts do that you can compare DNA from different people