B.E.

S BHARATHI THIRTHA
VIDYALAYAM
KALLEKKAD, PALAKKAD

DNA FINGERPRINTING
TECHNOLOGY

SUBMITTED BY:
NAME: MOHITH.S.PRASAD
CLASS: XII-SCIENCE
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project report on biology on
“DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY” is a
bonafide record of project work done by
Mr.Mohith.S.Prasad in biology as a part of XII
curriculum.
The student has taken great effort to complete the
investigatory project. I take this opportunity to
congratulate him and wish him a very good luck.

SIGNATURE OF THE FACULTY :

NAME OF THE FACULTY :

SIGNATURE OF THE PRINCIPAL :

SIGNATURE OF EXTERNAL EXAMINER:

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I sincerely thank “The supreme and the almighty” for
helping me to have a good health and sound mind,
which helped me to complete the project work sincerely
and neatly.
I also extend my sincere thanks to our school
management, Principal Smt. Usha V and biology
teacher Dr. N Packialakshmi for their help, support and
encouragement for completing the project work.
Last but not the least I thank my beloved parents,
classmates and friends who have helped me to complete
this project completely.
 CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. THEORY
3. DNA PROFILING PROCESS
4. BENEFITS OF DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY
4.1. Paternity Tests
4.2. DNA Fingerprinting in Forensics
4.3. In Plants And Other Benefits
5. DISADVANTAGES OF DNA FINGERPRINTING
TECHNOLOGY
5.1. Accuracy
5.2. Cost And Time
5.3. Social Implications
6. FAKE DNA EVIDENCE
7. CONCLUSION
8. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
In early 1985, Jeffreys et al. (1985a) described the first
development of multilocus DNA fingerprints and speculated
that these individual-specific DNA patterns might provide a
powerful method for individual identification and paternity
testing. At the time, it was thought that the implementation of
these applications would be protracted, and the major legal
problems would be encountered as DNA evidence preceded
from the research laboratory to the court room. Subsequent
history showed that this prediction was unduly pessimistic. By
April 1985 the first case, involving a UK immigration dispute,
had been satisfactorily resolved by DNA fingerprinting by the
method used by Jeffreys. Shortly thereafter, DNA evidence in
a paternity dispute was admitted in a UK civil court. DNA
typing in criminal investigations saw its debut in October
1986 with the Enderby murder case, an investigation which
led to the first instance of the release of a prime suspect
proved innocent by DNA evidence (Gill and Werrett in 1987;
Wong et al. in 1987; See Wambaugh in 1989). By 1987, DNA
typing results had been admitted in evidence in criminal
courts in the UK and the USA, and in 1988 the UK Home
Office had ratified the use of DNA fingerprinting for the
resolution of immigration disputes which hinge upon disputed
family relationships (Home Office, 1988).

THEORY
DNA fingerprinting is a way of identifying a specific
individual, rather than simply identifying a species or some
particular trait. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting or
DNA profiling. As a technology, it has been around since at
least 1985, when it was announced by its inventor, Sir Alec
Jeffreys. DNA fingerprinting is currently used both for
identifying paternity or maternity and for identifying
criminals or victims.
The vast majority of a human’s DNA will match exactly that
of any other human, distinguishing between two people is
much difficult. NDA fingerprinting uses a specific type of
DNA sequence, known as a microsatellite, to make
identification much easier. Microsatellites are short pieces of
DNA which repeat many times in a given person’s DNA. In a
given area, microsatellites tend to be highly variable, making
them ideal for DNA fingerprinting. By comparing a number
of microsatellites in a given area, one can identify a person
relation easily.
 DNA PROFILING PROCESS
The process begins with a sample of an individual’s DNA
(typically called a “Reference sample”). The most desirable
method of collecting a reference sample is the use of a Buccal
Swab, as this reduces the possibility of contamination. When
this is not available (e.g. a court order may be needed and not
obtainable)other methods may need to be used to collect a
sample of blood, saliva, semen, or any other appropriate fluid
or tissues from personal items(e.g. a toothbrush, razor) or
from stored samples (e.g. banked sperms or biopsy tissue).
Samples obtained from blood relatives (biologically related)
can provide an indication of an individual’s profile, as could
human remains that had been previously profiled.
A reference sample is then analyzed to create the individual’s
DNA profile using one of a number of techniques, discussed
below. The DNA profile is then compared against another
sample to determine whether there is a genetic match.
 BENEFITS OF DNA FINERPRINTING

BENEFITS OF DNA FINGERPRINTING IN

PATERNITY TESTS
The sections of DNA used in DNA fingerprinting (as with all
DNA) are passed down from parents to children. By
comparing large numbers of DNA microsatellites it is possible
to establish with a high degree certainty of the paternity,
maternity or both of a child. In some cases men or women
need to gain peace of mind regarding their relationship to a
child. A mother may have sexual encounters with more than
one man and does not know which one is the parent of her
child. In other cases men may suspect the child is not his so he
may use DNA profiling as a way of being completely sure.
Adopted children may want to know who their parents are.
DNA testing may allow them to advance in this regard.
BENEFITS OF DNA FINGERPRINTING IN
FORENSICS
Another important use of DNA fingerprinting lies in the area
of forensics as a tool for use in criminal justice cases. This
type of benefit has gained much attention because of high
profile murder cases that are solved with DNA evidence and
because of popularization of TV series with criminal
investigations based on medical or scientific evidence.
Since DNA is contained in almost every cell, any tiny part of
a person’s body maybe used to identify them. It maybe a tiny
piece of hair or a small drop of blood. These can be used to
identify a victim (e.g. a person who has been murdered and
fingerprints burnt) or a criminal (as in rape cases where semen
left in a victim’s body can be used to identify the perpetrator).
The technology has also been successfully used to exonerate
the innocent. For example, the first use of DNA fingerprinting
in criminology was in 1986 and it was used to demonstrate
that a man, Richard Buckland, who had been accused of
murdering two schoolgirls could not have committed the
crimes
HOW DNA DINGERPRINTING HELPS PLANTS AND
OTHER BENEFITS OF IT
Although DNA fingerprinting is mainly used in forensics and
paternity tests, there are many other areas where the
technology is being successfully applied.
In agriculture DNA fingerprinting is increasing being used for
variety identification, that is, to know if a seed is really from
the variety being claimed. Also, genetic profiling is utilized to
detect genetically modified organisms in agriculture. More
specifically, markers have been used for characterization and
determination of genetic diversity of tea to find genetic
relatedness. Interestingly, and with the advent of herbal
preparations and alternative medicine, DNA fingerprinting of
herbal preparations could be useful in herbal origin
authentication, and for the various claims of medical uses
related to some of these plants.
In animals, where lineage is important (race horses, dogs, etc)
DNA fingerprinting can be used for parentage testing, and to
help identify and breed (e.g. thoroughbred horses). DNA
fingerprinting is not always successful. But has a high rate of
success. Some legal questions may exist regarding the
conclusiveness of certain DNA profiling but overall it is a
highly secure technique.
 DISADVANTAGES OF DNA
FINERPRINTING
ACCURACY
While most experts consider DNA testing to be accurate, there
is always the risk of human error in the results. The analyst
studies fingerprints, examines various patterns and decide if
the patterns are from the same person. Fingerprinting analysts
go through special training, but there is still a risk of making a
mistake that could mean the difference of life and death in a
criminal case.
COST AND TIME
A major disadvantage of DNA fingerprinting is the cost.
Many local police can’t afford a full time DNA fingerprint
analyst. This leads them to outsource the tests to experts in
other areas. When these experts are busy with other cases, a
time management issue can arise. In addition, the fingerprint
analyst spends a lot of time in court and preparing their
testimony. This time the court takes away from the time the
analyst could spend examining fingerprints.
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Two major social issues of DNA fingerprinting can lead to
eventual pitfalls. One, it is the issue of an individual’s rights
and the rights of the government to force suspects to undergo
fingerprinting tests. Some people fear that the government
may use DNA fingerprinting and the fingerprint national
registry to try to track law-abiding citizens. The other concern
is that while fingerprint analysis maybe accurate, an expert
analyst’s testimony in court can be extremely confusing for
the average juror to follow, a fact that defense attorneys may
exploit.
 FAKE DNA EVIDENCE
The value of DNA evidence has to be seen in light of recent
cases where criminals planted fake DNA samples at crime
scenes. In one case, a criminal even planted fake DNA
evidence in his own body: Dr. John Scheenberger raped one
of his sedated patients in 1992 and left semen of her
underwear. Police drew what they believed to be
Scheenberger’s blood and compared its DNA against the
crime scene semen DNA on three occasions, never showing a
match. It turned out that he had surgically inserted a Penrose
drain into his arm and filled it with foreign blood and anti
coagulants.
The functional analysis of genes and their genes and their
coding sequences (open reading frames [ORFs]) typically
requires that each ORF be expressed, the encoded protein
purified, antibodies produced, phenotypes examined,
intracellular localization determined, and interactions with
other proteins sought. In a study conducted by the life science
company Nucleix and published in the journal Forensic
Science International, scientists found that an In vitro
synthesized sample of DNA matching any desired genetic
profile can be constructed using standard molecular biology
techniques without obtaining any actual tissue from that
person. Nucleix claims they can also prove the difference
between non-altered DNA and any that was synthesized.
In the case of Phantom of Heilbronn, police detectives found
DNA traces from the same woman on various crime scenes—
in Austria, Germany and France—among them murders,
burglaries and robberies. Only after the DNA of the “woman”
matched the DNA sampled from the burned body of a male
asylum seeker in France, detectives began to have serious
doubts about the DNA evidence. In that case, DNA traces
were already present on the cotton swabs used to collect
samples at the crime scene, and the swabs had already been
produced at the same factory in Austria. The company’s
product specification said that the swabs were guaranteed to
be sterile, but not DNA-free.
 CONCLUSION
Twenty years after the development of DNA fingerprinting,
DNA analysis remains the key to link suspects to biological
evidence and to identifying individuals in crimes and
disasters. Another important use is the establishment of
paternity in custody and child support litigation. DNA
profiling is used to diagnose inherited disorders and human
diseases.
The list of additional uses of DNA fingerprinting continues to
grow. For example, DNA markers have proven to be powerful
in the study of population genetics. Molecular markers are
used to detect sudden changes in population fragmentation,
and interaction of different populations.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. WWW.WYNDHAMFORENSIC.CA
2. WWW.google.com
 BRAHMIN EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY

BHARATHI THIRTHA VIDYALAYAM

KALLEKKAD, PALAKKAD
(AFFILIATED TO CBSE, NEW DELHI)

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY

BY,
SANGEETHA.S
XII-SCIENCE

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project report on biology on
“DNA FINGERPRINTING TECHNOLOGY” is a
bonafide record of project work done by
Miss.SANGEETHA.S in biology as a part of XII
curriculum.
The student has taken great effort to complete the
investigatory project. I take this opportunity to
congratulate him and wish him a very good luck.

SIGNATURE OF THE FACULTY :

NAME OF THE FACULTY :
SIGNATURE OF THE PRINCIPAL :
SIGNATURE OF EXTERNAL EXAMINER: