Edvotek Informational Video: DNA Profiling

Forensic scientists apply scientific knowledge to answer legal questions. This interdisciplinary field uses scientific techniques from Biotechnology, Chemistry, and Physics to characterize physical evidence found at a crime scene.

Want to try DNA Fingerprinting in your classroom? We have resources to help.

Ready-to-load Electrophoresis experiments:
https://www.edvotek.com/109
https://www.edvotek.com/S-51

A hands-on, classroom-ready forensic science lesson with strategies to address literacy standards in science classrooms: https://www.edvotek.com/site/pdf/Less...

A powerpoint presentation which can be used in class: https://www.edvotek.com/site/pptx/edv...
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In humans, DNA is packaged into 23 pairs of chromosomes. Although most of this DNA is identical between individuals, small sequence differences, or “polymorphisms”, occur at specific locations throughout the genome.

If we analyze several different polymorphisms within a person’s genome, we can generate a unique “DNA profile”. After DNA is extracted from biological samples, scientists use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify specific places (loci) throughout the genome. The PCR products are analyzed using agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR products appear on the gel as a series of bands with various sizes (Fig. 1B). Because DNA samples from different individuals produce different patterns of bands, scientists can use a DNA fingerprint to distinguish between individuals. Since polymorphisms are inherited, DNA fingerprints can be used to determine paternity/maternity (and other familial relationships)