PCR in Forensic Science
A resource on PCR for forensic science.
DNA profiling (DNA typing, genetic fingerprinting, DNA testing) is a technique used by forensic scientists to identify someone based on their DNA profile. PCR can be used as a tool in genetic fingerprinting. This technology can identify any one person from millions of others. For example, tiny samples of DNA isolated from a crime scene can be compared with DNA from suspects, or compared with a DNA database. Such procedures can identify or rule out suspects during a police investigation. PCR-based DNA fingerprinting can also be used in parental testing in which an individual is compared with their close relatives and the actual biological father of a child can be confirmed or ruled out. DNA testing can also confirm the biological parents of an adopted child.
The real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has become the benchmark technology for the detection of nucleic acids in every area of microbiology, biomedical research, biotechnology and in forensic applications (
Bustin et al 2012 An Introduction to the real-time polymerase chain reaction qPCR).
The small footprint, easy liquid handling and high-throughput enables the PCR microchip to find promising applications in forensic analysis (
Sun et al Circullar Ferrofluid-Driven PCR Microchips).
PCR methods based on mitochondrial genes have been used in forensics because of their high copy number per cell, lack of recombination, and matrilineal inheritance (
Santo Domingo et al Microbial Source Tracking: Current and Future Molecular Tools in Microbial Water Quality Forensics)
