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DNA profiling can match individuals to a crime scene using only a few cells. A brief history of DNA profiling and the breakthroughs that have made this possible.Key facts
- DNA is described as the "blueprint" of an organism and is unique to all but identical twins.
- Since the 1960s, the development of DNA fingerprinting has enabled forensic scientists to identify suspects.
- In 1987, fragment length polymorphism was first used to successfully identify and convict a criminal.
- By 1997, the development of polymerase chain reaction meant that tiny samples of hair, blood and saliva could be used to recreate a criminal's DNA profile.
Transcript
Since the 1950s, scientists have developed techniques to explore how our DNA makes us different.
And, in doing so, they inadvertently developed a core tool in modern crime investigation.
DNA is the genetic material of a cell and can be described as the blueprint of an organism.
Human DNA consists of about 3 …
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