Key DNA profiling markers for identification: A mini review

Abstract

DNA Profiling also referred to as DNA fingerprinting, is a sequence of tests and methodology employed to examine and identify the genetic information contained within an individual’s cell, and within the context of forensics, it is considered as the comparison of genetic information or profile of a person to a profile of biological evidence found at the scene of crime, or profile stored in the DNA database for the sole purpose of administration of justice. Remarkably, a core base for DNA profiling is the fact that, about 99.9% sequence of DNA is found to be common among humans, and the other 0.1% is unique and vary from person to person, and the likelihood of two individual having exactly the same DNA profile is about 1 in 594.1 trillion individuals. Therefore, the present study elucidated key molecular markers for DNA profiling including short tandem repeat, variable number tandem repeat, and restriction fragment length polymorphism. In conducting this study, a comprehensive electronic literature search using PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Google search for similar and related works were used, and all works meeting the subject matter were considered, including; reviews, meta-analyses, retrospective studies, observational studies, organization recommendations, and original articles. Going forward, the stated molecular markers have been demonstrated to be used for identification purpose, however, the validated technology of short tandem repeat and also its abundance in the human genome makes it a better option for forensic DN profiling and it is currently the gold standard for analysis and storage of DNA profiles in the DNA databases around the world.