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DNA Profiling - Edited2021

DNA profiling is a technique used to distinguish individuals based on their unique DNA sequences. A DNA profile is a pattern of lines of varying lengths and thicknesses that represents fragmented DNA. DNA can be extracted from various bodily sources for profiling. Profiles are used to identify suspects in crimes, determine biological relationships in paternity testing, and identify remains. DNA profiling is very reliable, though human error is possible and profiles only analyze a small portion of DNA. Famous cases that utilized DNA evidence include identifying Steve Bing as the father of Elizabeth Hurley's child and convicting Colin Pitchfork for rape and murder based on his DNA profile.

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119 views

DNA Profiling - Edited2021

DNA profiling is a technique used to distinguish individuals based on their unique DNA sequences. A DNA profile is a pattern of lines of varying lengths and thicknesses that represents fragmented DNA. DNA can be extracted from various bodily sources for profiling. Profiles are used to identify suspects in crimes, determine biological relationships in paternity testing, and identify remains. DNA profiling is very reliable, though human error is possible and profiles only analyze a small portion of DNA. Famous cases that utilized DNA evidence include identifying Steve Bing as the father of Elizabeth Hurley's child and convicting Colin Pitchfork for rape and murder based on his DNA profile.

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brenda.mofokeng06
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DNA Profiling

Video DNA
Fingerprinting.wmv
What is DNA Profiling?
 A technique used by scientists to
distinguish between individuals of the
same species using only samples of
their DNA
OR
 A technique for identifying individual
organisms based upon unique DNA
sequences
What is a DNA profile?
 An arrangement of black bars
representing DNA fragments of a
person. (MTG)
 OR
 A DNA profile is a pattern produced on an X-
ray film and it consists of lines which are of
different lengths and thicknesses and in
different positions. (G12 textbook)
 All individuals, except identical twins,
have a unique DNA profile.
DNA profiles of three different
individuals.
Sources of DNA samples
 Blood
 Hair
 Saliva
 Semen
 Body tissue cells
 DNA samples have been
obtained from vaginal
cells transferred to the
outside of a condom
during sexual intercourse.
Uses of DNA Profiles
 DNA profiling is used:
– To identify crime suspects in forensic
investigations
– As proof of paternity or maternity -
identify mother or father of a child
(biological parents)
– To identify dead bodies & missing persons
– To identify relatives
– To determine the probability and cause of
genetic defects
– Diagnose inherited disorders such as cystic
fibrosis, haemophilia & sickle cell anaemia
– To establish the compatibility of tissue
types for organ transplants
 DNA profiling is generally accepted
as being extremely reliable.
 The DNA profile of each individual is
highly specific.

 The chances of two people having exactly the


same DNA profile is 30,000 million to 1 (except
for identical twins).
 The interpretation and comparison of profiles
should however be approached with caution, for
the following reasons:
 Humans interpret the results which means mistakes could
be made
 The method of profiling may be different in different
laboratories producing inconsistencies
 Only a small piece of DNA is used in profiling, so the
profile might not be 100% unique to a particular
individual
 DNA profiling is expensive and therefore not readily
accessible to those who cannot afford it, particularly in
criminal cases
 DNA profiles may reveal information
about a person which could be used
against them in a prejudicial way.
For example: being HIV positive or
having genetic abnormalities may
lead to insurance companies not
covering a person or prejudice in the
court room
How can DNA Profiling solve
crimes
 DNA profile of a sample obtained from a crime
scene is analysed
 The pattern of the DNA profile is then
compared with those of the victim and the
suspect.
 If the profile matches the suspect it provides
strong evidence that the suspect was present
at the crime scene (NB: it does not prove
they committed the crime).
 If the profile doesn’t match the suspect’s then
that suspect may be eliminated from the
enquiry.
Example
A violent murder occurred.
 The forensics team retrieved a blood
sample from the crime scene.
 They prepared DNA profiles of the
blood sample of the victim and a
suspect as follows:
Activity 3 page 22 Life
sciences grade 12
textbook
Was the suspect at the crime
scene?
Suspects Blood sample Victims
Profile from crime profile
scene
Example: A Paternity Test (NB)
 By comparing the DNA profile of a
mother and her child it is possible to
identify DNA fragments in the child
which are absent from the mother and
must therefore have been inherited
from the biological father.
Is this man the father of the child?

Mother Child Man


Famous cases
 In 2002 Elizabeth
Hurley used DNA
profiling to prove
that Steve Bing
was the father
of her child Damien
Famous Cases
 Colin Pitchfork was
the first criminal
caught based on
DNA profiling
evidence.
 He was arrested in
1986 for the rape
and murder of two
girls and was
sentenced in 1988.
Famous Cases
 O.J. Simpson was
cleared of a double
murder charge in
1994 which relied
heavily on DNA
evidence.

 This case
highlighted lab
difficulties.
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