Body identification

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  • Methods to identifying a body
    • Fingerprinting
      • Why?
        • Sweat & oil secretions can leave impressions on surfaces we touch
      • How?
        • Fine aluminium
        • Iron/Carbon powders that stick to the print (using superglue)
        • Ninhydrin reacts with the amino acids in sweat, producing a purple-coloured fingerprint impression
        • Magnets & iron flakes
      • At least 16 points must be identical for fingerprints to match
    • Dental records
      • Why?
        • Tooth decays very slowly
        • Can determine age by looking at the development of the teeth and roots
    • DNA profiling
      • 1) Tissue sample obtained & DNA extracted
      • 2)  Amplifying the DNA
        • PCR reaction
          • DNA markers with fluorescent tags, DNA polymerase and nucleotides placed in sample
          • Undergoes temperature changes in PCR machine
          • Double-stranded DNA separated
          • Optimises bindingof the primer to the target DNA sequence in the sample
          • Polymerase attaches & replication occurs
        • Restriction endonuclease
          • Enzymes naturally found in bacteria
          • Ezymescut Dan at specific base sequences
          • Bacteria's own DNA not affected by their own restriction enzymes
          • DNA sample cut into fragments only at site of STR
      • 3) Separating the fragments
        • Gel electrophoresis
          • DNA placed on a gel of agarose
            • Provides a stable medium where the fragments can move
          • Then submerged in a buffer solution
          • Connected to electrodes that produce PD across the gel
      • 4) Visualising the fragments
        • Southern blotting
          • Transfers the fragments to nylon membrane
        • Membrane place on gel
        • Dry absorbent paper placed on top
          • Draws the buffer solutions through the gel, carrying DNA fragments on to the membrane
            • During this: DNA fragments maintain their position and are denatured into SINGLEstrands, exposing its base sequences
        • Membrane incubated with labelled probe
          • Radioactive probe
            • Membrane is dried and placed next to an X-ray film
            • Film blackens wherever probe has hybridised
          • Fluorescent probe
            • Position on membrane can be visualised under UV light

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