DNA FINGERPRINTING - AN OVERVIEW

*Dr. Swati Sonawane, Hritika Sharma, Tanusri Tetarbe and Dr. Pradnya Deolekar

ABSTRACT

DNA Profiling has proved to be a boon for forensic medicine. It is an accurate and well established scientific technique used for disaster victim identification, investigation of crimes, identification of missing persons and human remains, and for medical research purposes. Most of the countries have proposed appropriate laws within the framework of their respective constitutions and other legal frameworks for the safe use of this method. DNA Fingerprinting plays a remarkable role in Paternity testing. DNA is the catalyst required for generational transference of heritable unit. The morphology of DNA is quite pliable, within the nucleus of each cell resides a similar copy of the individual's genetic material, DNA. The coding regions of the genomic DNA are called as genes. DNA or the short tandem repeats are dispersed throughout the human genome and occur on an average of every 10,000 nucleotides. Microsatellite markers are distinguished as the most powerful genetic marker. Collection, preservation and handling together constitute an integral part of DNA fingerprinting analysis. Before DNA fingerprinting came into existence, battery of blood groups and enzyme markers were used to look into the status of Paternity.

Keywords: DNA Fingerprinting, DNA Profiling, Short tandem repeat (STR), STR loci.