Author’s Note: This is a research paper, informing the reader about DNA fingerprinting and how it has helped us. This will be graded on the writing rubric. It will also be used for my science project! Enjoy learning about DNA fingerprints!
BOOM! You hear a gunshot and then someone running away. The only way you know who did it is by the DNA fingerprint left on the gun. Would you know what to do if you were at the scene? This is exactly what happens in many crime scenes these days! DNA fingerprinting has helped improve solving crimes and many other cases.
First off, what exactly is DNA and where does it come from? Well, DNA is a big molecule made up of smaller molecules located in the nucleus of a cell (Deters). Even though it’s a big molecule, you still can’t see it with just your eyes (Deters). It has chemical information from your parents, half from both, that determines what you look like and who you are (Deters). But DNA fingerprints are different than just plain, DNA. DNA fingerprints are formed from the fetus rubbing against his or her mom’s womb (Where do fingerprints come from?). They are not made in early pregnancy, but become noticeable around four to five months down the line (Where do fingerprints come from?). So, everyone has their own, unique fingerprint!
Even though knowing how DNA fingerprints are formed and what exactly DNA is, is important, knowing how it can determine a suspect’s guilt or innocence is a key point! Your DNA fingerprints cannot just be found by dusting fingerprints, you have to get DNA from cells of your body to really determine who did the crime or other options. It can be a skin cell, hair root cell or even a cheek cell. DNA is the same in all of your cells .Also in a crime scene, if a type of DNA is left behind, you can find out if that person did the crime or if he/she used, for example a weapon, to commit the crime. If the police do find their fingerprint on the weapon, automatically they are probably guilty. (Cline)
Next, what is the process of analyzing DNA fingerprints? When you record a person’s fingerprints, you take two sets. The first one is called “rolled” prints. Each finger and thumb is inked and recorded on paper. Then the same ones are taken plain. This is to make sure that both sets are made in the same sequence. Some examples are when suspected criminals had held out their fingers in a different order or do the same hand twice! If it is in the case of a criminal crime, it is relatively simple but in many other cases, the question of identification arises. Now these days, computer databases make it really simple to identify fingerprints but in 1927 it wasn’t so easy. Technology has really improved throughout the years! (Innes)
Even though knowing the process of DNA is very valuable information, important facts about DNA fingerprinting is a big part! DNA fingerprinting is when you identify a specific pattern within a person’s DNA. Each person has a specific pattern which repeats them. To be able to use DNA identification the same way fingerprints are used, every human being would need their DNA tested and electronically placed into a database. This database, by the FBI, is called CODIS. DNA is used to identify a certain person related to the sequence of base pair patterns rather than just looking at one patter. Scientists have to narrow down base pairs. Even though the patterns cannot create an actual fingerprint, it can reveal whether or not the identified stands are statically likely to happen in the same person or a relative. (Guide to DNA Fingerprinting)
On the other hand, how has DNA Fingerprinting helped us? Well, it has improved so much throughout the years! It can help solve many crimes, identification issues, if someone was adopted and needed to know their parents or to prove innocence. You can only find someone’s parents though by only their DNA because everyone has their own, specific fingerprint. They are also used to diagnose inherited disorders in both prenatal and newborn babies. Also by studying the DNA fingerprints of relatives who have had a specific disorder, compared with people with and without the disorder, it can help identify DNA patterns similar with the disease. The FBI and police labs have started to use DNA fingerprints to link suspects to biological evidence-blood or other types of objects found at the scene of the crime. Also, the US armed services have started to collect DNA fingerprints from all the soldiers in case they need to identify them later on. Where would we be without DNA fingerprinting? (Betsch)
Lastly, an interesting question that was brought to my attention was if twins have the same DNA and fingerprint. I discovered that no, any kind of twins do not have the same fingerprints. Everyone has their own, special fingerprint. However, twins do have the same DNA because they came from the same egg. This is called monozygotic-rising from one egg. Fingerprints are made by many things, nutrition, blood pressure, womb positioning and growth rate of fingers. Some patterns should be the same but there also many differences. Everyone is their own person, even if they do look the same! (Do Identical Twins Have the Same Fingerprints and DNA)
In conclusion, DNA fingerprinting is a very important tool in our world today! This helps us in many ways! Without it, we would not be able to solve many crimes or identify brave soldiers who have died fighting for our country! Imagine if we didn’t have our amazing technology we have today. It seems like such a little thing that wouldn’t really matter, but really, it would change everything! How would your life change if DNA fingerprinting didn’t exist?
Bibliography
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"Do Identical Twins Have the Same Fingerprints
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