Question

Often only small amounts of DNA are found at a crime scene. Which technique uses an enzyme to replicate DNA to regions from a small sample of DNA for use in DNA fingerprinting?

Answer 1

PCR is commonly used to duplicate a small section of DNA in order to make it readable by the lab

Answer 2

Answer: PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis

Explanation:

PCR is a common technique used in research labs to make millions of copies of a particular region of DNA. It allows to generate thousands/millions of copies of that particular section of DNA using just a small amount of it, which could be found at a crime scene. In this way, it detects the presence or absence of a specific gene to help identify samples of DNA. So this technology can identify any one person from of others.

PCR requires many enzymes and molecules, but an important enzyme is called Taq polymerase, which adds bases in the new DNA molecule formed during PCR.

Lastly, to check whether the PCR successfully generated a DNA region, an agarose gel electrophoresis is employed for size separation of the PCR products. The sample found at the crime scene is compared to that of a suspect to see if they match or not.