{"id":5578,"date":"2026-01-04T22:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-04T16:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=5578"},"modified":"2026-01-05T11:50:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T06:20:02","slug":"dna-fingerprinting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/dna-fingerprinting\/","title":{"rendered":"DNA Fingerprinting"},"content":{"rendered":"

DNA fingerprinting, also known as DNA profiling<\/strong>, is a forensic technique<\/strong> used to identify individuals by unique patterns in their DNA. It was developed by British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys<\/strong> in 1984. It examines repetitive DNA segments that differ between people. These Variable Number Tandem Repeats (VNTRs) act like molecular barcodes.<\/p>\r\n

DNA fingerprinting has transformed forensics<\/strong>, enabling conclusive matches between evidence samples and reference profiles. It is now routinely applied worldwide in criminal investigations and paternity suits<\/strong>. The exquisite specificity of genetic profiles also makes DNA fingerprinting invaluable for wildlife research, ancestral migrations, and endangered species protection<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n

What is DNA Fingerprinting?<\/h2>\r\n

DNA Fingerprinting is a well-known method of personal identification<\/strong>. It is a technique to find out the variations in individuals at the DNA level.<\/p>\r\n

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  • DNA, <\/strong>or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material containing genetic instructions for the growth, development, and functioning of living organisms.\r\n\r\n
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    • Each individual has a unique DNA fingerprint.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Principle behind DNA Fingerprinting<\/h3>\r\n

      DNA fingerprinting is based on the fact that the DNA contained in the nucleus of somatic cells in every individual, except identical twins<\/strong>, is unique.<\/p>\r\n

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      • Although over 99%<\/strong> of the DNA sequences are the same across all humans, there are highly variable regions known as variable number tandem repeats (VNTRs)<\/strong> or short tandem repeats (STRs)<\/strong> that differ between individuals.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

        \"Principle<\/p>\r\n

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        • DNA Fingerprinting analyses these VNTR or STR loci using a technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to generate a genetic profile of an individual.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

          \"Working<\/p>\r\n

          Process involved in DNA Fingerprinting<\/h3>\r\n

          The key steps involved in generating a DNA fingerprint are:<\/p>\r\n

          \"Process<\/p>\r\n

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          • Sample collection<\/strong>: DNA is extracted from tissue samples like blood, bone, hair roots, semen, or buccal swab samples.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • DNA extraction<\/strong>: The extracted sample is purified using various chemical processes.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • PCR amplification<\/strong>: Using PCR, the extracted DNA is amplified with specific primers targeting the STR regions of interest.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • Separation<\/strong>: The amplified DNA fragments are separated based on size using gel electrophoresis.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • Detection<\/strong>: The separated DNA fragments of varying sizes appear as bands on the gel and are detected using fluorescent dyes.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • Profile generation<\/strong>: The size and number of repeats in each band are analysed to generate the distinctive DNA profile with the advanced computerised systems.<\/li>\r\n\t
          • Matching<\/strong>: The generated profile is then compared to other DNA profiles in a database to find any matches.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

            Applications of DNA Fingerprinting<\/h2>\r\n

            DNA Fingerprinting\u2019s unique ability to conclusively pinpoint individuals continues to transform countless facets of modern life. Its absoluteness has numerous applications, as highlighted below:<\/p>\r\n

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            • Forensics<\/strong>: Comparing crime scene DNA evidence to offender\/suspect profiles helps identify perpetrators.\r\n\r\n
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              • It is especially useful in sexual assault and homicide cases with unknown suspects. For example Shraddha Walkar murder case investigation.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Paternity testing<\/strong>: Comparing a child's DNA profile with alleged fathers can conclusively establish biological relationships for legal purposes.<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Identify the unidentified<\/strong>: Helps identify victims in accidents, wars, and natural disasters by matching DNA from unidentified remains to family members.<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Wildlife forensics<\/strong>: Used to catch poachers by analysing DNA from skins, bones, or blood samples and matching it to a particular species, geographic region, or even individual animal.<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Anthropology<\/strong>: Reconstruct genetic relationships and migrations of human populations over generations by studying ancient DNA samples.<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Agriculture<\/strong>: Determines pedigree and disease susceptibility in livestock breeding using genetic markers.<\/li>\r\n\t
              • Disease identification<\/strong>: Useful in the diagnosis of inherited disorders which include Huntington\u2019s disease, sickle cell anaemia, thalassemia, cystic fibrosis, etc.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                Limitations of DNA Fingerprinting<\/h2>\r\n

                DNA fingerprinting is a powerful tool used for identifying individuals based on their unique genetic makeup. Despite being highly accurate and discriminatory, DNA fingerprinting has some limitations:<\/p>\r\n

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                • Not 100% conclusive<\/strong>: The statistical probability of a match is very high but not absolute. Additional evidence may be required in criminal cases.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Contamination<\/strong>: Small amounts of DNA from external sources can be unintentionally introduced at the crime scene or lab leading to errors.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Mixed samples<\/strong>: It becomes challenging to separate individual profiles when the DNA sample contains a mix of multiple contributors.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Costly equipment<\/strong>: Requires expensive laboratory equipment and skilled personnel, limiting applications in developing countries.<\/li>\r\n\t
                • Partial profiles<\/strong>: Environmental degradation of DNA samples can lead to incomplete DNA profiles making analysis difficult.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

                  Promoting DNA Technology: India\u2019s Initiatives<\/h2>\r\n

                  To harness the benefits of DNA Fingerprinting, the Indian government has provided several legal and institutional mechanisms to promote the use of DNA Technology including DNA Fingerprinting.<\/p>\r\n

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                  • Government institutions promoting DNA technology<\/strong>\r\n
                      \r\n\t
                    • Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics (Hyderabad)<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • Central Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • DNA Analysis Centre at CFSL, Chandigarh.<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (Hyderabad)<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resource (NBPGR), New Delhi<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • National Institute of Plant and Genetic Research (NIPGR), New Delhi<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t
                    • DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2019<\/strong>: The bill regulates the use of DNA technology for establishing the identity of the people.\r\n\r\n
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                      • The Objectives are personal identification, empowering the criminal justice delivery system, and developing institutional mechanisms.<\/li>\r\n\t
                      • The bill provides for the establishment of a DNA Regulatory Board<\/strong> and DNA Data Banks<\/strong> at the national and regional levels.<\/li>\r\n\t
                      • However, the centre withdrew the bill citing most of the clauses Bill covered in The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Act, 2022 and that DNA testing<\/strong> was now universally accepted as the \u201cgold standard of forensic investigation\u201d<\/strong>\r\n
                          \r\n\t
                        • Among criticisms of the bill Civil society organisations and MPs had raised privacy concerns.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                          DNA fingerprinting is a forensic technique to identify individuals by unique DNA patterns, developed by Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1984.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":20103,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[239],"tags":[889,40],"class_list":{"0":"post-5578","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-quest-level-4","8":"tag-dna-fingerprinting","9":"tag-quest"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5578","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5578"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5578\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19871,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5578\/revisions\/19871"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5578"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5578"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5578"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}