Genetic fingerprints

what is a genetic fingerprint

a unique sequence of bases in each human

how can GF be used

forensic science and paternity testing

what is variable in the sequence between individuals

repeating intron base sequences

what are repeating blocks of base sequences in introns called

short tandem repeats

what are analysed in genetic fingerprinting

variety of STRs in order to produce a unique pattern based on the number of times each STR is repeated

where can DNA samples come from

white blood cells

skin cells

hair follicles

sperm cells

what is a DNA ladder

makers of known length that run alongside the fingerprint of DNA to give fragment size and position

why can it be difficult to make conclusions

lines can be close together or blurry

what is an ethical issue w this technology

length of time data can be held for

particularly when DNA taken from individuals for ‘elimination purposes’