Technicians in forensic labs are usually asked to do DNA profiling or "fingerprinting" to help or analyze a case for law enforcement or other uses. DNA profiling is a technology based on detecting differences in the repeat copy number. Patterns of produced samples represent DNA taken at the scene of the crime. The restriction enzyme can be used to cut DNA isolated from any source. Agarose gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size. The evidence needed for DNA fingerprinting can be obtained by biological material such as: body tissues, body fluids (blood and semen), hair follicles, even dried blood stains or mummified tissues. The restriction enzyme works best under a specific buffer and temperature conditions. In our lab- CSI: AHS or 94549; we will be using the restriction enzymes to cut DNA palindromes. RFLP stands for Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. We will cut DNA and generate fragments of different length-"run a gel"; crime scene-"run to red"; DNA from suspects.
