DNA fingerprinting can resolve:

Identification of a person:
- DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to identify individuals based on their unique DNA profiles.
- Every person's DNA is unique, except for identical twins, making DNA fingerprinting a highly accurate method for identification.
- By comparing DNA samples from a crime scene, for example, with the DNA profiles of suspects, forensic scientists can determine the identity of the perpetrator.

Paternity dispute:
- DNA fingerprinting can also be used to resolve paternity disputes.
- By analyzing the DNA profiles of a child and potential fathers, it is possible to determine the biological father.
- This is done by comparing specific DNA markers between the child and the potential fathers.
- If the child shares common DNA markers with a potential father that are not present in the other potential fathers, it indicates that the tested individual is the biological father.

Maternity dispute:
- Similarly, DNA fingerprinting can also be used to resolve maternity disputes.
- By analyzing DNA profiles of a child and potential mothers, it is possible to determine the biological mother.
- This is done by comparing specific DNA markers between the child and the potential mothers.
- If the child shares common DNA markers with a potential mother that are not present in the other potential mothers, it indicates that the tested individual is the biological mother.

All of the above:
- DNA fingerprinting can resolve all the mentioned scenarios: identification of a person, paternity disputes, and maternity disputes.
- This technique has revolutionized forensic science, allowing accurate identification of individuals involved in criminal activities.
- It has also played a crucial role in resolving legal disputes regarding parentage, ensuring the correct determination of biological relationships.

In conclusion, DNA fingerprinting is a powerful tool that can be used to resolve various scenarios, including the identification of individuals, determination of paternity, and resolution of maternity disputes. Its accuracy and reliability make it an indispensable technique in forensic science and legal proceedings.

Goals: To underscore the utility of DNA fingerprinting for clarifying disparate results from endoscopic pathologic specimens.

Background: Occasionally, serially obtained gastrointestinal biopsies may yield inconsistent results. These discrepancies pose a dilemma for gastroenterologists and their patients, especially when malignancy is a consideration.

Study: Patients referred to our tertiary care center from outside institutions had undergone endoscopically obtained esophageal biopsies showing malignancy, verified by pathologists at both our site and from the referring center. Repeat endoscopic biopsies at our center did not show malignancy. To verify that different sets of biopsies came from the same patient, we performed a polymerase chain reaction-based analysis comparing the 2 specimens. This analysis, called DNA fingerprinting, can show a high degree of certainty whether 2 specimens came from the same patient.

Results: In each case, DNA fingerprinting verified a match, laying the groundwork for intervention. One patient underwent endoscopic radiofrequency ablation to the esophageal mucosa involved. Another underwent esophagectomy with partial gastrectomy. Both are doing well clinically and remain cancer-free on follow-up.

Conclusions: DNA fingerprinting is a powerful and a relatively inexpensive tool. Usually, only small amounts of tissue are required, and even degraded or archival tissue is adequate. DNA fingerprinting can be an important tool in the gastroenterologist's arsenal to help clarify conflicting results, allowing the patient and physician to move forward with the management.