Positive identification of an immigration test-case using human DNA fingerprints

Abstract

The human genome contains a set of minisatellites, each of which consists of tandem repeats of a DNA segment containing the ‘core’ sequence, a putative recombination signal in human DNA¹. Multi-allelic variation in the number of tandem repeats occurs at many of these minisatellite loci. Hybridization probes consisting of tandem repeats of the core sequence detect many hypervariable minisatellites simultaneously in human DNA¹, to produce a DNA fingerprint that is completely individual-specific and shows somatic and germline stability². These DNA fingerprints are derived from a large number of highly informative dispersed autosomal loci and are suitable for linkage analysis in man³, and for individual identification in, for example, forensic science and paternity testing². They can also be used to resolve immigration disputes arising from lack of proof of family relationships. To illustrate the potential for positive or inclusive identification, we now describe the DNA fingerprint analysis of an immigration case, the resolution of which would have been very difficult and laborious using currently available single-locus genetic markers.