wat is the difference between dna fingerprinting &footprinting?

8 Comments

1. dkstringer24 says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   DNA fingerprinting is a way to identify individuals DNA. It is what forensic scientists use to figure out whose DNA is found at a crime scene or whatever. Each person has their own unique "fingerprint" except maybe in the case of identical twins.

   DNA or "DNASE" footprinting is different. It is a technique used by researchers to see where a protein binds a piece of DNA. The DNA with the protein attatched is isolated, and digested with varying amounts of DNASE (an enzyme that cuts DNA). You then run the DNA out on a gel and find where the DNASE was not able to cut. Wherever it was not able to cut is where the protein was bound and on a gel it resembles a "footprint"
2. paranoid says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   one is about fingers, and the other is about feet. phmhff
3. Mom says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   Paranoid is right.
4. andrea says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   fingerprinting is about your finguers, and footprinting is when they take a model of the murder’s shoes
   !!!!!
5. Markie02 says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   The Value of Footprinting Print experts agree that every individual’s prints contain friction ridge minutiae, i.e., ridge detail, that are unique to that person. Even the footprints and fingerprints of identical twins are different. Furthermore, friction ridge minutiae remain naturally unchanged throughout a person’s life. Because of this consistency, FBI print experts have identified the adult victims of such disasters as fires and airplane crashes by using the footprints of the individuals taken in infancy. A common misconception exists today that DNA genotyping represents a means of identification superior to fingerprinting or footprinting. In reality, just the opposite is true. A legible footprint with clear friction ridge minutiae provides the most certain form of identification available and, further, may be of more immediate value to law enforcement officials for the following reasons: — Fingerprints and footprints of identical twins are different, but DNA genotyping technology presently cannot distinguish between them — Fingerprints and footprints can be compared and a positive identification made by a print expert, usually within a relatively short period of time; DNA genotyping and analysis can take up to 3 months to complete — Fingerprints and footprints can be taken at negligible expense, while DNA genotyping and analysis can cost several thousand dollars. In short, although DNA genotyping represents an excellent technology for determining probable identity, it may not satisfy the immediate investigative needs of law enforcement officers due to its cost and the time required to complete testing and analysis. Infant abduction cases often move quickly, requiring law enforcement officials to react swiftly. Friction ridge minutiae examination and analysis offer law enforcement a fast and accessible form of identification. Training Hospital Personnel For decades, the FBI has advocated using infant footprints for identification purposes, encouraging hospitals to learn proper techniques. As early as 1966,5 the FBI provided guidelines, procedures, and recommendations concerning why and how hospital personnel should obtain the footprints of newborns. The procedures remain largely unchanged today.

   DNA fingerprinting is a way of identifying a specific individual, rather than simply identifying a species or some particular trait. It is also known as genetic fingerprinting or DNA profiling. As a technology, it has been around since at least 1985, when it was announced by its inventor, Sir Alec Jeffreys. DNA fingerprinting is currently used both for identifying paternity or maternity and for identifying criminals or victims. There is discussion of using DNA fingerprinting as a sort of personal identifier as well, although the viability of this is debatable.

   The vast majority of a human’s DNA will match exactly that of any other human, making distinguishing between two people rather difficult. DNA fingerprinting uses a specific type of DNA sequence, known as a microsatellite, to make identification much easier. Microsatellites are short pieces of DNA which repeat many times in a given person’s DNA. In a given area, microsatellites tend to be highly variable, making them ideal for DNA fingerprinting. By comparing a number of microsatellites in a given area, one can identify a person relatively easily.
6. Bacteria Boy says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   dkstringer24 is spot on – Give that guy(girl?) a gold star

   The other people should be banned from answering science questions
7. don_juan_de_marco2001 says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   DNA fingerprinting is about matching the dna sequence of 2 people, it is also called karyotyping, it is a chemical process

   footprinting is simply taking the imprint of a persons foot on a paper, it is a physical process
8. nadine_forbear says:

   November 6, 2009 at 5:53 pm

   The difference is that it is easier to DNA a finger, especially in the winter,because you don’t have to take off your boots,shoes,and socks.