Explain the DNA fingerprinting method of forensic science.

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Solution

The science of DNA sequencing has developed a lot since the first profiling was done by Sir Alec Jeffreys in 1985, in England. The entire genetic information of an individual is called genome. Genome contains the DNA sequence, which has both coding and non coding genes. The DNA sequences of humans are 99% similar in every individual. However, the other 1% is what makes each one of us unique. This 1% sequence mainly has specific codes that repeat itself throughout the sequence. These are short and varied sequences, and are known as VNTRs (Variable Number of Tandem Repeats). The frequency and position of these repeats vary greatly from one individual to the other. DNA fingerprinting uses such VNTRs from an unknown DNA sample to compare and match with the known.

Technique
The process is summarized below with a flowchart for better understanding:

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