The Role of DNA Fingerprints in Finding Families and Criminals

DNA fingerprinting tests are a series of tests that are used to identify and evaluate a person's genetic information through deoxyribonucleic acid or more often abbreviated DNA. This test is considered accurate given the very small possibility of two or more people to have the same DNA fingerprint. The test to test a person's genetic identity is carried out by identifying specific genetic material (DNA) patterns in each individual. Basically, almost 99 percent of the DNA sequences in the human body do have similarities, but still have a small number of significant differences as well. This difference is used to distinguish between one individual with another individual.

How to Get DNA Samples

To get DNA samples from the human body to determine their DNA fingerprints, several methods can be used, including:

• Wearing a blood sample from the heel

To do a DNA test on a baby, the required blood sample will be taken from the heel. Taking a few drops of blood from the heel will begin with cleaning the baby's heel using alcohol. After that, the baby's heel will be pierced using a small sterile needle. The blood that comes out will then be collected in a special container. After that, the puncture marks will be covered with cotton which is glued using a small bandage.

• Using blood samples from blood vessels

In adults or children, the blood to be used for DNA testing will usually be taken through a vein in the arm. To bring up blood vessels, the upper arm will usually be bandaged to block blood flow. The result, blood vessels become wider making it easier to take blood samples. The surface area of ​​the skin where the blood is taken will be cleaned with alcohol and then put in a needle. The needle will then be used to draw as much blood as is needed for the DNA testing process. After that, the area that had been pierced by a needle will be given cotton or gauze and then pressed and given a bandage.

• Another method is through sample collection

If the two methods of blood sampling above cannot be done, then sampling can be done from other parts of the body. DNA samples can be obtained from dried blood, skin, saliva, smears of cheek mucosa in the mouth (buccal swab), hair, urine, amniotic fluid, or a person's semen. The process of collecting DNA samples can also be obtained from bones and teeth. This last method is done if a part of the body is in a condition it is not possible to take a sample or rot.

Utilization of DNA Fingerprints

Some of the benefits below can be obtained from the process of determining DNA fingerprints in human life.

• Solve legal problems

DNA profiling or DNA fingerprint determination has been used by several countries as a means of solving legal or criminal cases. Examples of cases that have been solved using DNA fingerprints are murder and rape. With the determination of DNA ownership, the perpetrators whose genetic evidence is left behind at the crime scene can be arrested. Thanks to its level of accuracy, in 1986 the use of DNA to find criminals was implemented in almost all countries, as explained by a medical review. In addition to determining the perpetrators of crime, DNA testing is also useful for identifying victims of crime, especially when victims do not have identification marks. Not only victims of crime, victims of natural disasters can also be identified thanks to this DNA profiling technique.

• Determine the relationship

The most widespread use of DNA fingerprints is to determine kinship. Through DNA analysis, one can easily find out the relationship status genetically whether he is a father, mother, cousin, or other sibling relationship. We are also familiar with the concept that sperm and egg cells make up half of the total chromosomes in a child. That is, each person inherits a unique combination of DNA that comes from their father and mother. Based on this fact, determining a person's DNA testing to determine family relationships can be done using DNA samples from various sources, both from the skin, blood, or saliva.

Another important use of DNA fingerprints is to identify and determine the diagnosis of hereditary diseases and the risk of certain diseases, to match donor organ tissue with people who need organ transplants. As science advances, the use of DNA becomes more widespread, for example, for the study of genetic populations, where one can study interactions between different populations, or detect changes in genetic patterns within a population.