DNA – Deoxyribonucleic Acid – your “genetic blueprint”; one half of your DNA is inherited from each parent.
Locus / Loci – location(s) of interest on the DNA molecule
RFLP – Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism – first generation of DNA analysis utilizing restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis to reveal fragment length variations that exist between individuals at approximately 5-8 loci.
Autorad – Autoradiograph – visual representation of an RFLP DNA profile showing fragment length variations on X-ray film (bands).
STR – Short Tandem Repeat – current method of DNA analysis utilizing PCR and capillary electrophoresis to reveal fragment length variations that exist between individuals at 13 loci and the gender marker amelogenin.
CODIS – Combined DNA Index System – national database containing DNA profiles from convicted felons and forensic cases.
Mitochondrial DNA Analysis – type of DNA analysis based on individual sequence variation found in the D-Loop region of a mitochondrion.
Y-Chromosome Analysis – type of DNA analysis involving STR analysis of the Y-chromosome.
Amelogenin – the gender marker locus, which reveals a length variation that exists between the male and female.
PCR – Polymerase Chain Reaction – “molecular Xeroxing”- amplification or increasing the amount of DNA at a specific locus.
Thermalcycler – instrument used to carry out DNA amplification.
Capillary Electrophoresis – method of separating amplified fragments of DNA by size to reveal fragment length variations at STR loci.
Electropherogram – visual representation of an STR DNA profile showing fragment length variations at STR loci on a graphical printout (peaks).
JPM / 7-9-04