DNA and DNA Profiling Made Simple

1.1. Amplification

If the quantity of the DNA isolated is not enough, the specialist increases it to optimal levels via an amplification technique that uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) process. In addition, PCR targets specific locations on the DNA strand known as the loci (singular: locus) to produce similar copies.

1.2. Electrophoresis

In this process, the specialist separates the materials based on their size and composition of the DNA strands on a particular gel in the presence of electricity. The figure below displays the electrophoresis results (courtesy of How Stuff Works).

1.3. Analysis

The last stage involves analyzing the DNA screening results obtained based on a particular program in the National DNA Database. Short Tandem Repeats (STR) analysis dominates the process for the purpose of criminal investigations. This is because the STRs do not characterize the physical appearance of an individual. The field of forensics insists on the use of STRs because its locus is made up of two alleles.

2. Introduction

The evolution of technology brings with it unlimited significances to the modern society. Every day new technology emerges in the world to solve a particular problem. The rate at which technology influences lives seems immeasurable. In the process, the advancement in technology spreads across all professional fields linking one area of specialization to another. Initially, there existed no direct links between applied sciences such as biology and social sciences such as political science. It is because the two areas deal with distinct and diverse ideologies. Nowadays, it seems that the two cannot perform independently without each other. In one way or another, they intertwine on similar application a...

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