DNA fingerprinting: Quick Facts

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The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Sep. 24, 2026

Facts

Also Known As	genotyping • identity testing • DNA profiling • genetic fingerprinting • DNA typing

Photos and Videos

Fluorescent bands of DNA separated by size appear as horizontal yellow-green lines on a blue gel, showing results of DNA fingerprinting.

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Topics

DNA polymerase chain reaction restriction-fragment-length polymorphism genetics genetic testing human genetics eugenics genetic epidemiology genomics epigenomics behaviour genetics epigenetics preimplantation genetic diagnosis cytogenetics complementation test

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