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What is DNA profiling?
Leicester University geneticist Alec Jeffreys developed a technique called DNA fingerprinting in 1985. This technology, which has become known as DNA profiling, can be used to identify individuals. Modern-day DNA profiling, called STR analysis, is a very sensitive technique which only needs a few skin cells, a hair root or a tiny amount of blood or saliva. DNA profiling is especially useful for solving crimes but can also be used to confirm if people are related to each other, such as for paternity testing.



