DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) fingerprinting is a widely recognized method for identifying criminals, serving as a recent advancement in personal identification. It entails examining variations in individuals' DNA at a molecular level within a population.
Dr. Alec Jeffreys, a British geneticist, pioneered and refined the technique of DNA fingerprinting. In 1984, Dr. Jeffreys initially developed this process with the intention of visually identifying DNA situated between genes, aiming to unveil markers for hereditary diseases and facilitate early treatment. Little did he know at the time that his innovative technique would later prove instrumental in resolving cases involving identity through DNA comparisons.
DNA fingerprinting provides a comprehensive depiction of an individual's entire genomic composition, serving as a blueprint of their unique genetic makeup.
History of DNA Fingerprinting:
- 1984: Sir Alec Jeffreys develops DNA fingerprinting technique at the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
Reference: Jeffreys, A. J., Wilson, V., & Thein, S. L. (1985). Individual-specific ‘fingerprints’of human DNA. Nature, 316(6023), 76-79.
- 1986: The first criminal case is solved using DNA fingerprinting in the United Kingdom. Colin Pitchfork becomes the first person to be convicted with DNA evidence.
Reference: Gill, P., Sparkes, R., & Pinchin, R. (1987). DNA fingerprinting in forensic science: A review. Forensic Science International, 34(3), 189-204.
- 1987: DNA fingerprinting is introduced to the United States and quickly gains recognition as a powerful tool in forensic investigations.
Reference: Lander, E. S., & Budowle, B. (1994). DNA fingerprinting dispute unraveled. Science, 266(5193), 31-32.
- 1992: DNA fingerprinting is used in the high-profile criminal case of O.J. Simpson, leading to widespread public awareness of the technique.
Reference: Wecht, C. H. (1996). The O.J. Simpson trial: The DNA evidence. Forensic Science Communications, 1(2), 1-11.
- 1994: The National DNA Database is established in the United Kingdom, becoming the first comprehensive DNA database for criminal identification.
Reference: Jobling, M. A., & Gill, P. (2004). Encoded evidence: DNA in forensic analysis. Nature Reviews Genetics, 5(10), 739-751.
- 1998: The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) launches the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national DNA database, to aid in criminal investigations.
Reference: Budowle, B., Moretti, T. R., & Niezgoda, S. J. (2001). CODIS and PCR-based short tandem repeat loci: DNA typing for the 21st century. The U.S. National Institute of Justice.
- 2003: The completion of the Human Genome Project provides a significant boost to DNA fingerprinting technology and research.
Reference: Collins, F. S., Morgan, M., & Patrinos, A. (2003). The Human Genome Project: Lessons from large-scale biology. Science, 300(5617), 286-290.
- 2010: Next-generation sequencing technologies revolutionize DNA fingerprinting, enabling faster and more comprehensive analysis.
Reference: Shendure, J., & Ji, H. (2008). Next-generation DNA sequencing. Nature biotechnology, 26(10), 1135-1145.
- 2012: Rapid DNA analysis systems are introduced, allowing for real-time identification and analysis of DNA samples in forensic investigations.
Reference: Samuel, D., & Berry, C. (2017). Rapid DNA analysis: Advances in forensic genetics for law enforcement investigations. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 28, 168-177.
- 2020: DNA fingerprinting continues to play a crucial role in criminal investigations, paternity testing, and identifying victims in mass disasters, among other applications.
Reference: Butler, J. M. (2020). Forensic DNA typing: biology, technology, and genetics of STR markers. Academic Press.
