DNA Profiling Used in Courts

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DNA Profiling Used in Courts

DNA profiling is a technique often used to identify criminals or the

biological parents of a child through the analysis of their

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). The technique is very successful as it is

based on the fact that every person possesses their own individual set

of DNA, which is unique to them with the exception of identical twins.

DNA found in materials such as blood, semen, bone and hair is

extracted for analysis. There are issues involved in its application

as it can be seen as an invasion of ones privacy through the use of

DNA banks. Recently there has been some speculation about the accuracy

of DNA profiling leading to concerns regarding the potential for

criminals to have been falsely convicted. The cost of DNA profiling is

very expensive making it inaccessible to some people. There is also

potential for the misuse of DNA profiling.

There are several different techniques of DNA profiling currently used

today. I have chosen to investigate the most common type of DNA

profiling, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The first

part of the process is called restriction digest. Firstly the DNA is

broken into pieces using an enzyme called Hinfl. This enzyme, which

comes from the bacteria Haemophilus influenza, is able to recognise

and break DNA whenever a sequence of GANTC appears. GANTC stands for

the bases that are found in DNA (Guanine, Adenine, Cytosine and

Thymine). The N stands for any nucleotide (phosphorus and sugar). The

pieces of DNA are then sorted by size using electrophoresis. DNA

particles are placed into an agarose gel and an electrical charge is

applied to gel. A positive charge is applied to the bottom and a

negative charge to the top of the gel, which is able to conduct

electricity. The negatively charged DNA particles are attracted to the

bottom of the gel. The smaller fragments of DNA move quicker so they

will be found at the very bottom of the gel. Heat or chemicals are

used to break the DNA into single strands, which involves breaking the

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